Klarinet Archive - Posting 000618.txt from 2000/09

From: "Kevin Fay (LCA)" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Dry reed problem solved
Date: Thu, 21 Sep 2000 00:47:53 -0400

Richard Bush posted:

<<<I'm playing a touch of flute, a modest amount of clarinet and bass
clarinet, but spend most of the time playing bassoon. Because of this, the
clarinet and bass clarinet sit for long periods of time, allowing these
reeds dry out. It has been a major problem for me.>>>

Richard described the tried-and-true solution to the problem -- stuffing a
wet sponge in the mouthpiece cap. I used to do that in pit work. The
solution that I use now works (for me) *much* better -- synthetic reeds!

I've posted before that the Fibrecell is my tenor sax reed of choice, drying
out or not. I have a Legere that works pretty OK on the soprano clarinet,
too. While the Legere doesn't sound quite as good as a fine cane reed (to
my ears, at least), it sounds a whole lot better than the immolated feline
noise I can get from a too-dry reed.

If you want something even more cane-like, try the Rico Plasticover.
They're real reeds covered with a thin layer of black plastic, which has the
effect of permanently wetting them. The downside is that (IMHO) they
weren't particularly good reeds before the plasticovering . . . but they
will do in a pinch.

kjf

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