Klarinet Archive - Posting 000233.txt from 1998/04

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: High Altitude Reed Adjustment
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 22:59:46 -0400

On Sat, 4 Apr 1998, Jimmy Covelli wrote:
> My question concerns the effect on reeds in switching from low altitudes
> to high altitudes. I am playing a concert in June in Colorado. What
> can I expect to happen to my reeds (coming from a low altitude humid
> climate to a high altitude dry climate)? And is there anything I can do
> to prep my reeds beforehand?

Jimmy asked a mouthful......at least he is wise and asks before he gets to
the high altitude before his reeds play like boards!

Several years back, I had a performance up in the Keystone, CO area on
Bass Clarinet and Clarinet.....I had great reeds. When I showed up for
the first rehearsal, they played two strengths harder!

Jimmy, the best way you can prepare is to purchase lighter strength reeds
for the high altitude. I am hoping someone can let us know the physics of
why the reeds play much harder (I suspect many reasons, but they are just
my thoughts....nothing I could say is actually truth) - there are some
very smart people on this listserv who know quite a bit about physics,
etc.

Roger Garrett
IWU