Klarinet Archive - Posting 000973.txt from 1997/07

From: Jrykorten@-----.com
Subj: Re: old news
Date: Fri, 1 Aug 1997 02:39:02 -0400

In a message dated 97-07-29 04:02:39 EDT, Chuck West wrote:

<< So curing a reed blank (the major advantage of making one's own reeds)
needs to be done in the climate where it is to be played. Some people
recommend soaking in saliva--fine--the stuff in the saliva clogs up the
reed and contributes to stabilizing it. Further, the enzymes which change
starches into sugars also work on the vegetable matter from which we will
make a reed.
>>

I think it was Jay DeVries who told me the plight of the travelling
clarinetist whose reeds were a mess when they arrived at a concert location
and can't be played.

The solution was to purchase a box of reeds at each new location you are
travelling to and use those reeds that have warped to the local climate
already.

I can tell you from my own experience travelling between NYC and Seattle (my
work commute believe it or not, but only every month or so) that hand made
reeds do no better than commercial reeds in a climate change. (They are just
awesome in comparison to commercial reeds, where they are made.)

Exactly the same issue you describe above.

Jerry Korten
NYC