Klarinet Archive - Posting 000284.txt from 1996/10

From: "Scott D. Morrow" <SDM@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Fogle...reed life
Date: Fri, 11 Oct 1996 12:01:03 -0400

> I read something awhile back that took the position that reeds go end-
>of-life for two reasons: 1) the crystaline structure breaks down, and 2)
>the wood fibers clog up with bacteria and dampen the vibrations. I guess
>they both would result in a reed that "doesn't respond well,"or "sounds
>dull." I believe the paper came out of a university in Chicago, and the
>author indicated that he wanted to do some lab studies along this line,
>but I haven't heard anything since then. He suggested that careful break-
>in of the reed would minimize the first, and periodic soaking in hydrogen
>peroxide and storage in the refrigerator would minimize the second. I'm
>kind of thinking like you: Bag it and unwrap a new reed. Comments, anyone?
> Burch

You could just keep your reeds in the freezer! (Actually, Vandorens, as
Joie has suggested, would probably make very good popsicle sticks! This is
a great marketing technique! Perhaps this is where flav-o-reeds came
from!)

Seriously, I would think that if you just let your reeds dry properly after
use, you shouldn't have to worry about microbial growth!

-Scott

Scott D. Morrow
Department of Biochemistry
School of Hygiene and Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
(410)-955-3631

SDM@-----.edu