Klarinet Archive - Posting 000288.txt from 1999/04

From: Thomas Schaffner <schaffne@-----.ch>
Subj: [kl] re: warped reeds, sanding? was [kl] Reeds, should I put them in water?
Date: Mon, 5 Apr 1999 13:11:04 -0400

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Von: Roger Garrett[SMTP:rgarrett@-----.edu]
Gesendet: Sonntag, 4. April 1999 12:03
An: klarinet@-----.org
Betreff: Re: [kl] Reeds, should I put them in water?

Roger Garrett, Professor of Clarinet wrote:
But what a great question - I'm curious what others do?

I do both, wet a (hopefully) single reed in my mouth in emergencies or =
soak an entire box in water for regular break-in, apparently without any =
major difference. Vandorens and other brands taste bitter and I have =
wondered what poisons might reside in the plant or be used during =
production?=20

For preparation of selected reeds I follow more or less David Pinos =
procedure (The Clarinet and Clarinet Playing, Dover Publications 1998) =
with at least three cycles of wetting, drying and sanding of the back, =
short and careful testing and eventual adjustments with the knife. To =
this end wetting in water seems more appropriate. I have also used skim =
milk (because I thoght that saliva might contain helpful ingredients =
other than water) also without any apparent beneficial or detrimental =
effect. My concern for now is more about the warp and bend commercial =
reeds show out of the box and particularly after one or more wetting =
cycles. The back is usually concave (hollow) in the longitudinal =
direction and warped across at the latest after the first drying. =
Sanding on Nr.600 paper without much pressure (!!!) usually gives a flat =
back without thinning the tip to much. Most reeds will play freely and =
pleasantly after 3 such wetting/sanding cycles, some with additional =
adjustments with the knive or cutting with the reed-cutter. After first =
time practise with such prepared and well playing reeds, i.e. after 30 =
to 60 minutes the moisture from the chamber induces a swelling of the =
part of th back lying over the mouthpieces opening. This bump remains =
there even after re drying and deteriorates payability since its removal =
with 600 paper restores the quality of the reed.=20
Since we play on a moist, wetted reed I have wondered whether sanding =
should be done on moist reeds all the time (I do the first sanding on =
the dry reed, further sandings on moist reeds)? =20
What do the list menbers recommend?
P.S. I enjoy the list as a silent member for some months now it has =
given me valuable information!=20
Cordially, Thoms Schaffner

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