Klarinet Archive - Posting 000569.txt from 1999/02

From: George Kidder <gkidder@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] Reed Aging
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 1999 21:17:31 -0500

My understanding, based on a knowledge of water movements in plants and
Fernando's discussion, is that in use, water enters the vamp end of the
xylem elements (various names) and travels toward the heel end by capillary
action. Sealing the heel prevents the air present in the elements from
leaving, and therefore resists the movement of water. I doubt if this would
be completely effective, and certainly there would be some moisture getting
into the reed.

I had jumped to the conclusion that Fernando sealed the reed dry, since I
would think that nail polish would be hard to apply to a wet surface, but I
could be wrong. Remember, I myself have never tried this.

At 12:05 AM 2/16/99 +1300, you wrote:
>Dear list members,
>
>I'm finding the discussion on sealing reed quite fascinating, but somewhere
>along the line, I've lost the plot...
>
>What is the point of sealing the heel of the reed? Is it to keep moisture in
>or out or to seal in whatever moisture is there when the seal is applied? I
>know from experience that a certain amount of moisture needs to be soaked at
>least into the reed surface and maybe throughout the material, in order for
>the reed to play. Do I seal the reed when it is wet or dry?
>
>Some interesting ideas about sealing the reed have been expressed over the
>past few days that I will certainly try, but could someone help me to
>understand why I am doing these things.
>
>TIA,
>
>Graeme Cox
>Christchurch, New Zealand
>Graeme.Cox@-----.nz
>
>
>
>
>
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>
George Kidder
gkidder@-----.edu

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