Klarinet Archive - Posting 000296.txt from 1998/03

From: David Adlam <dadlam@-----.net>
Subj: Mould on reeds
Date: Fri, 6 Mar 1998 14:42:39 -0500

After 25 years of teaching and professional playing in New Zealand, I have
a problem, which I have not yet managed to solve, so I thought I would
submit it to the List .
I have a student in the intermediate/advanced range, who has a problem
with black mould on her reed - mostly in the middle of the vamp. It seems
to take about a week for it to occur. We have tried several ways of
stopping it. Currently, she keeps her reeds in the refrigerator! Has anyone
a suggestion as to how to improve this. She has used reedholders, claims to
dry off her reed after use. I have suggested a better routine for preparing
her reeds for use. She is currently using Mitchell Lurie reeds, as an
alternative to Van Doren! I also gave her some OLD (10 - 15 years) Olivieri
reeds, which seemed to last a little better.
It can be very humid here in Auckland, so that may add to the problem.
However I have never had this problem in such a persistent fashion before.

Any suggestions?

David Adlam