Klarinet Archive - Posting 000161.txt from 2000/03

From: Topper <leo_g@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Do you believe in the ever-lasting reed?
Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2000 11:33:58 -0500

At 07:24 AM -0800 3/5/00, Rose Sperrazza wrote:
>I just a very unconvential tip regarding preservation of a reed. Could
>this possibly work (she swears that Richard Hawkins does this) :
>
>After you finish playing, leave the reed on the mouthpiece and simply
>wrap it in a loose-fitting plastic baggie. (like the ones you put oranges
>in at the grocery store). Because there is always a bit of moisture
>surrouding the reed, and it never really dries, SUPPOSEDLY it will get
>better with time AND last around 6 weeks.
>
>Has anyone ever heard this or tried it??? Frankly, I'm skeptical.
>

Makes good sense (in a way) as the repeated drying and wetting is what
caused warping and the breakdown of cells. However bacteria may be a
consideration because the donax as all plants has antibodies when alive and
the moisture then is different and cells are being grown by the addition of
nutrients.

I would remove the reed and rush out the top grain very gently, clean the
botton, and put a bit of Gin (not much) to kill bacteria, then put it in a
clean plastic reed gaurd and into a small red cedar humidifier which you
can easily make to hold half a dozed gaurds.

I'm afraid IMHO the way you describe might invite a variety fungus, mould,
or even cubensis...

Cheers, Leo
Autions' Underway: http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/leo_g@-----.com/
"You Take The High Notes" http://helius.carroll.com/p/leo_g/ Our musical
instruments, parts, tools, classical LP, 1800's and 1900's piano music and
with violin editions. A family collection for sale and auction. Items for
sale date from before 1813 to 1987. Please bookmark or link page as new
items are catalogued weekly. Links will be exchanged upon request. I am
especially interested in Musical Instrument History and technical data.
Please email me with interesting links. Thank you:-) Leo

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