Klarinet Archive - Posting 000536.txt from 2002/10

From: "Buckman, Nancy" <nebuckman@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] Whacky reed problem
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 10:36:01 -0400

Hi Bruce,

I don't know if this will help, but here's my take. I have a disorder
called Sjogren's Syndrome that makes saliva a hot commodity. In other
words, it's in short supply. How this affects reeds I'm not quite certain,
but I can take a reed from the box, wet it with water and have it adjusted
to play for me (if it needs adjusting) and it will last indefinitely as long
as I don't crack or chip it. I don't know if it is because there is
something lacking in the little saliva I have or what, but that has always
been the case with my reeds for the last 40 years now. Because of the lack
of saliva, I find it more convenient to play on Legeres and do so most of
the time now. However, in certain venues the Legeres just don't sound good
and so, I carry cane reeds for use in those places.

I have a friend though, who has no salivary dysfunction, and she complains
of the same problem that you describe with one exception. She has the
problem on ANY brand reed she plays. She hasn't been unable to figure out
what the trouble is and neither has her teacher. She has given up trying
and just carries lots of reeds. I have gone so far as to fix reeds for her
and play them myself for a few weeks before giving them to her to play. The
ones I work on seem to play longer before breaking down, but they eventually
break down too. It just seems to take a little longer. We have concluded
that I have something magical in what little saliva I have and it takes her
saliva a while to eat through it. This isn't the most scientific of
observations but it is the conclusion that we have come to given the
circumstances. I don't know if this is the answer to your problem though.

Nancy

Nancy E. Buckman, Technical Assistant
School of Health Professions, Wellness and Physical Education
Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD 21012-1895 USA
Phone 410-777-2316 Fax 410-777-2233
E-mail nebuckman@-----.edu

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