Klarinet Archive - Posting 000666.txt from 2004/11

From: "DWH" <dwh46@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Sandpaper vs. Reed knife
Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 09:28:14 -0500

I have a question related as well. One instructor when I was in high school
would take the barrel of a ballpoint pen and rub the surface gently in one
direction only, toward the tip, which he said was to seal the reed to keep
prevent it from absorbing too much moisture. I ask the same question as
Erik...should something like this actually be done? Or is this another 'what
works for you' item? I have always soaked new reeds two or three times and
allowed them to dry each time on plate glass before making any adjustments,
but haven't tried rubbing the top surface for years.

Don Hatfield

I bought one of those reed glass and wand kits from Vandoren, it seems to
work quite well. And the wand, being hard, doesn't mould to the surface.

One question I do have, though, is regarding the fiber ends. I read
somewhere, and was told by a teacher as well, that one should rub the
surface of the reed with your finger in order to close the ends of the
fibers to keep water from soaking in. This runs counter to the earlier
mention that this is undesirable because working it with your finger can
ruin the reed. What's the right answer? Should the ends be closed off
somehow, or does this really not make a difference?

Erik Tkal

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