Klarinet Archive - Posting 000163.txt from 2000/03

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Do you believe in the ever-lasting reed?
Date: Sun, 5 Mar 2000 12:42:05 -0500

In a message dated 3/5/00 9:25:47 AM Central Standard Time, legato@-----.com
writes:

<<
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. >>

I have done this type of technique.......ONLY in the WINTER!!!!!!

Dry off the reed with fingertip and thumb, put in reed case, put reed case in
a zip lock plastic bag.

One of the problems in low humidity areas (like my house with its 70 year old
heating system), is that our reeds dry out excessively. This (in theory)
makes the reed warp more than it normally would. This excessive warping
causes the reed to play poorly, and we discard it.

(Two points here, I'm not talking about the normal warping of the reed tip,
which occurs when we first wet it, I'm talking about the concave warping of
the reed back. Nearly all cane reeds are warped, but excessive warping here
kills the reed. Hand made reeds have an advantage as you can cure them, THEN
sand them flat. Avoiding much or the warpage problem.You have all read claims
about hand made reeds lasting 3 or 4 times longer than a comparable
commercial reed? This is why.)

I would never do this in the summer. I'm sure I'd grow little green and black
plants all over my reeds.

I'm not sure this was written coherently, I've only had one cup of coffee so
far this AM.

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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