Klarinet Archive - Posting 000191.txt from 2003/05

From: "Gene Nibbelin" <gnibbelin@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Mildew on reed/drinking peroxide
Date: Thu, 8 May 2003 23:47:59 -0400

Christy -

Once mildew is imbedded in the reed, it may not be possible to completely
remove it. However, if you prevent it by cleaning the reed with peroxide
after each use, I seriously doubt if mildew would form. In addition, if you
are having this mildew problem, I would think that placing wet reeds in a
sealed case could be a major cause of the problem. As I noted, drying the
reeds overnight, flat side UP, should also reduce the chances of mildew.

Unless you live where there is more humidity than we have in southwest
Florida or do not have air conditioning, the combination of peroxide and
overnight drying should solve your problem. The overnight drying flat side
UP assures that the reed dries as evenly as possible and greatly reduces the
"ripple" warping of the tip of the reed.

Since the instructions on the 3% peroxide bottle suggest diluting 50/50 with
water for use as a gargle, we are only talking about a 1.5% solution. While
the instructions caution about swallowing, I really doubt that such a weak
solution could do much harm. However, I don't advocate drinking peroxide,
even such a week solution. I only mentioned the drinking to emphasize the
weakness of the peroxide to assure those skeptics that the peroxide might
harm their reeds. (I'd hate to drink good Kentucky Bourbon diluted that
much.)

This wet reed/mold-mildew matter reminds me of a question that I have been
wanting to ask the List. As noted above and in earlier postings, I favor
storing my reeds dry and soaking them 5 to 10 minutes before playing.
(Several years ago one of the experts on the list mentioned the importance
of allowing the "tubes" that make up the structure of reeds to fill with
water in order to get the best results. I also burnish the dry reeds on
each side to "seal" the ends of the "tubes". I use the convex side of a
stainless steel spoon. This procedure was also recommended several years ago
by one of our List-experts.)

Now to get around to my question: Thru all the threads about storing reeds
in a damp atmosphere and the complaints about the resulting mold and mildew,
I have wondered what the advantage is to one's playing to store reeds under
these (adverse?) conditions. I can't understand why humidified reed cases
are used when dry storage of (cleaned) reeds seems to result in superior
reed life (my experience) without annoying and damaging mold and mildew.
So, WHY????

Just curious --- ?????

Regards,

Gene N.

-----Original Message-----
From: Christy Erickson [mailto:perickso@-----.net]
Subject: Re: [kl] Mildew on reed/drinking peroxide

UGH! I'd rather buy new reeds. Actually, I'm not certain that the mildew
can ever be totally removed from a reed. When I've had this happen the
mold/mildew goes right to the heart of the reed and I've never been able to
completely get it out. I suspect it's much healthier to simply get a new
one. Christy

P.S. This used to happen frequently when I started using an old metal sax
reed holder I've had for years last year. I got in the habit of rinsing all
my reeds with water after playing and if I didn't practice for the next
several days, I'd open up my case to find mold on the reeds. I've been
using the plastic holders that my VanDoren reeds come in like someone else
suggested and haven't had any problems since then.

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