Klarinet Archive - Posting 000354.txt from 1998/02

From: Kennen White <kennen.white@-----.edu>
Subj: Re:warped reeds
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 21:40:16 -0500

> For a severely warped reed that would be too soft if flattened again, I
> had a friend (Mark Watkins in Fargo, ND) suggest that you try warping
> the reed back the other way: lay the reed on a piece of glass or table
> with the back up, with the back dry and the front wet. This sort of
> reverses the situation of when the reed is on the mouthpiece (not being
> played) or in a standard reed guard (don't ask me to define that!)
>

Ted Oien, the wonderful principal clarinetist in the Detroit Symphony
Orchestra, recently said in a masterclass here at Central Michigan
University that he uses this same procedure every time he is finished
playing a reed and that he is careful not to let the front of the reed
dry out completely while on the mouthpiece( difficult to do if you teach
lessons all day with your clarinet out)! He has only had one warped reed
since he came to Detroit 10 years ago! He also stores his reed case in
a Ziploc bag with a damp piece of sponge or a piece of orange peel, to
maintain some humidity.

I remember that Robert Marcellus would often keep a small damp piece of
sponge wedged into the top of his Bonade mouthpiece cap to keep his reed
(Morre) moist during lessons or masterclasses.

***************************
Professor Kennen White
School of Music
Central Michigan University

e-mail: Kennen.White@-----.edu
phone: 517.774.1956
fax: 517.774.3766

***************************