Klarinet Archive - Posting 000277.txt from 2005/08

From: "Steve White" <bass.clarinet@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] reeds warping
Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 14:13:46 -0400

Your Mileage May Vary

I would have to say that the techniques I use are really geared for the dry
climates of the southwest United States.

One thing that might help you is controlling the humidity of the reeds while in
the case. I use a bit of rock salt and a new nylon from my wife. I put the
rock salt in the toe area and twist it once or twice and then reach down through
the nylon and pull the bulb of rock salt through. I repeat this process until I
have a nice little ball of nylon stocking enclosed rock salt. Next I put my
reads, in what ever carrying device I have (sometimes just the plastic cases
that Vandorens ship in), into a Tupperware of suitable size that will also hold
the ball/pouch. I spray the pouch with a few spritzes of water whenever it gets
a little dry.

What this does for me is to regulate the relative humidity inside the Tupperware
case. The salt is important in that is keeps anything from growing on the reeds
(Use rock salt as table salt will not stay in the nylon very well). The reeds
might taste a little salty, but I have never noticed. In my experience
regulating the humidity this way keeps the reeds from excessive warping. I also
let the reeds dry table up when I work them to promote the warpage out the of
the reeds prior to flattening the table and storage in the humidity controlled
Tupperware thing.

I guess its sort of a humidor for reeds.

Feel free to contact me off list if you want more information.

Hope that helps.

Steve White
Whittier, CA

-----Original Message-----
From: Peter Stoll [mailto:peterstoll2000@-----.ca]
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2005 9:23 AM
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: [kl] reeds warping

Hi everyone,

We have had an exceptionally weird summer up here with
wildly fluctuating levels of climate and humidity. I
(and other locals I have talked to) have found most of
my reeds (Vandoren reg's strength 4) warp, some
continuously, on the bottom of the table. Sanding the
backs removes most of the Vand.insignia. I have been
for years taking Howard Klug's advice and letting the
reed dry back up before putting them away so they dry
evenly. No dice. I wet 'em in a plastic film can
half-filled with water for a minute or so.

I've tried switching to the Vandoren plastic cases
with grooves underneath, then back to flat glass
bottomed-cases and even licking the bottoms and
sticking 'em wet right on to see if that made any
difference. Still no progress. FWIW I work my reeds in
slowly over 5 days or so at the start. I've been
trying not polishing/sealing the vamp side to see if
that will do anything for the last few months.

I would greatly appreciate hearing from anyone who has
had and conquered this problem or tried these or other
solutions. We need these darn things so any
help/insights are much appreciated (I've been using a
Vand.Optimum ligature).

Thanks,

Peter Stoll

Peter Stoll

University of Toronto
RCM College of Examiners
Toronto Philharmonia
ERGO ensemble
Talisker Players

Find your next car at http://autos.yahoo.ca

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