Klarinet Archive - Posting 000526.txt from 1997/07

From: Jrykorten@-----.com
Subj: Re: Reed refrigeration
Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 21:24:44 -0400

In a message dated 97-07-17 08:56:09 EDT, you write:

<< I can't imagine that this would be very good for the reeds,
although I have no expert knowledge to confirm this. What do other list
members think?

Clare Henderson <chenderson@-----.au>

>>

I think the theory is garbage (refrigerating reeds that is). The degredation
of a reed according to everything I understand is mechanical, not biological.
Refrigeration might help if say bacteria were responsible for the
degredation.

But our problem is mechanical vibration (probably disrupting the molecular
bonds of the wood fiber, and uneven swelling of fibers) and the accumulation
of proteins and minerals from our mouths in the reed fibers. I do not
understand how refrigeration would help this situation.

My opinion as there is no research on this area that I know of. Any Clarinet
doctoral students out there know of any dissertations on the subject?

Jerry Korten
NYC