Klarinet Archive - Posting 000092.txt from 1997/12

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Reed cases
Date: Wed, 3 Dec 1997 09:40:17 -0500

On Tue, 2 Dec 1997, Karl Krelove wrote:
> The best reed holder is any case that holds the reeds on their side edges so
> neither the top nor the bottom surface is held flat against anything.
[SNIP] Holding a piece of wood against a
> glass surface to dry ensures that the exposed surface will dry more quickly.
> Uneven drying is the reason most cut wood warps in the first place. My
> second choice is, among the flat holders, any one that allows air (generally
> through grooves in the flat surface the reed is held against) to circulate
> around both sides of the reed.

There are many theories as to what will stop warping - but one thing is
certain, when one makes reeds - either from a tube or blanks - the
placement on the glass is essential to the curing process....specifically,
between sandings. The same process is important for commercial reeds.
The drying on glass creates a seal that allows the reed to dry from the
top down....much as it will behave when it is stuck to the mouthpiece. We
don't play the clarinet with the reed on it's edge, so the theory is that
we should dry the reed the way it will be sitting on the mouthpiece.

Another consideration for warping is that many people sand the backs of
the reed flat, and then they use a hollow table mouthpiece other than a
flat table mouthpiece. Many of the commercially produced mouthpieces do
not have perfectly flat tables....instead, there is a very tiny concave
quality to the table....allowing for warped reeds. Unfortunately, for
many flat reeds, this is an air pocket allowing for drying from the
underside....especially the older reeds.

Roger Garrett
IWU