Klarinet Archive - Posting 000672.txt from 1997/03

From: Richard Faria <faria@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Water vs Saliva for wetting reeds
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 1997 14:28:04 -0500

>I recently subscribed to this list and was fascinated with the discussions. One
>that caught my eye was the commentary about what liquid to use for wetting
>reeds.
>
>One person made the observation that his dentist suggested that saliva was more
>acidic than tap water and this caused the premature breakdown of the reed.
>
>Being a scientist, and also a beginning clarinet player, I recalled from my
>biology that most biological systems are at a neutral pH. I also recalled that,
>after one eats, their saliva becomes acidic.
>
>So I measured the pH of both my saliva and the tap water. I had not eaten for
>about 3 hours.
>
>The pH of the tap water was 5.5 (acidic) and my saliva was at a pH of 7.2
>(slightly basic, pH 7.0 being neutral). Acicidity doen't seem to be part of the
>problem with premature breakdown of a reed, as saliva is not acidic - it
>is very
>close to being neutral. I did check the pH of three other people who made the
>mistake of walking into my work area. Their saliva was also neutral. The tap
>water was very acidic in comparison. The pH of tap water probably will
>vary with
>location.
>
>In addition, humans do not have enzymes anywhere in their bodies that can
>digest
>wood fibers.
>
>I don't know if this information is of any practical use for anyone.
>Perhaps the
>life of a reed can be affected more by how it is being stored after being used
>than by how it is being wetted before use.

It is not the acidity of saliva, but the enzymes in saliva that break down
your reeds. They are very slowly being digested!

mmmmmm, reedy....

******************************
Richard Faria
Assistant Professor of Music (Clarinet)
Ithaca College
School of Music
Ithaca, NY 14850-7240
Office (607) 274 3425
Fax (607) 274 1727
faria@-----.com
http://www.ithaca.edu/clarinet
******************************