Klarinet Archive - Posting 000346.txt from 2000/02

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Warning POISON spit....was: tough concert = reed death
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2000 19:38:43 -0500

In a message dated 2/8/00 9:32:11 AM Central Standard Time, JBLinear@-----.com
writes:

<< I am careful about using the "best"
reed only during the dress rehearsal and only infrequently otherwise. >>

>From what you say above, it sounds like your reeds are not completely broken
in and are simply not ready to play a full concert.

If you are playing a reed only "infrequently" and only for the dress
rehearsal, how can you expect it to stand up to hours of playing? I gave up
trying to save up the "perfect" reed for a given performance. My goal now is
to have 4 or 5 well exercised reeds, ANY of which I could comfortably play,
and I pick the "one" in the warmup period prior to the concert.

I have some advice. The next time a reed "dies" like this, dry it off
thoroughly by rubbing it between your fingers and thumb, and put it away for
a day or two.

When you pull it out, you might find that the "dead" reed has come back to
"life".

It sounds to me like your "poison" spit syndrome, is merely an oversoaked
reed failing to respond to a tight (nervous) embouchure.

Try this and let us know if it helps, OK?

Walter Grabner

http://www.clarinetxpress.com
Hand Crafted Clarinet Mouthpieces:
Bb/A, Eb, Bass
Clarinet Reed Making Kit
"Making Clarinet Reeds By Hand"

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