Klarinet Archive - Posting 001002.txt from 1998/02

From: "Karl Krelove" <kkrelove@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Pit Orchestra Problems
Date: Sat, 28 Feb 1998 07:24:16 -0500

-----Original Message-----
From: Donald Walkner <dwalkner@-----.com>
Date: Friday, February 27, 1998 7:22 PM
Subject: Pit Orchestra Problems

>
>I have a question to all those people who have played in pit orchestras. I
>have to play bass clarinet, bari sax, and Bb clarinet. Would anyone have
>any tips on how I can keep my reeds from drying out? Thanks for the help.
>
>Amy
>
>
Actually, however much I may incur the derision of everyone here, I have
indeed solved this problem by using Fibracell (synthetic) reeds, at least on
my saxes, when I do a book like that. The sax reeds don't sound so awful,
and they are unequivocally better sounding than a dried out one or one
that's so thin it sounds like a buzz saw or closes at the first breath. I
even use them (Fibracells) when I teach at school. I have to pick up a
different instrument for each class, and there often is no time in between
to wet anything.
I haven't been able to bring myself to try synthetic clarinet reeds, but I
have found that with a solid cap (no air holes in the top) clarinet reeds
don't dry as quickly anyway - less surface area, I guess. And the alto solo
in Pictures At An Exhibition will always get a cane reed whenever I get to
play it.
Go ahead, everyone, fire your weapons!