 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: emanresu00
Date: 2005-09-10 01:47
Greetings guys.
A technical question:
I believe sound on woodwinds is created through the vibration of the reed, just like lips on a brass wind, thus creating sound waves. What is the purpose of moistening the reed in water prior to playing?
Thanks.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2005-09-10 04:22
Sound is initiated by the reed. The reed itself could not and does not produce the entire sound of the clarinet...that is done by the column of air within the instrument.
Individual qualities of the sound are influenced by the size of your mouth and nasal cavaties, which vibrate in sympathy. Then by the other objects with which you are already familiar, the mouthpiece, reed, lig, clarinet, yadda yadda yadda...
Many objects become more supple when they become wet. That is why the reed vibrates more freely and fully when moist.
Some people prefer their reeds wet, and others soaking. It's just another personal preference.
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-09-10 13:16
It makes a more liquid sound.......
Bob Draznik
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-09-10 20:12
Sorry about that, but if you ever tried to play with a dry reed you'd know that it doesn't work too well. Way back when I first took lessons the teacher said to wet the reed....I never asked why and assumed no one else did either. I suppose it helps the reed conform to the mouthpiece....or allows it to. Why do you wet your lips before you whistle?
Bob Draznik
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-09-10 20:30
The reed's going to get wet with your saliva while you're playing anyway. So if you want to be able to get used to controlling the reed, wet it before you play so you don't have to deal with the changing playing characteristics as the reed changes from dry to wet.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-09-10 21:56
From the article . . . "This allows the oboe player to produce a hauntingly beautiful range of tones."
Hmmmm
You sure that article can be taken as truth? ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2005-09-11 15:47
Just yesterday I did a crossword puzzle with the clue, "Melancholy instrument." Imagine my surprise when I looked at the grid and it was a 4-letter word starting with "o"!!!
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2005-09-11 16:52
Heyy....no name jokes, please...it was my name first...And yes, it IS really my name...
(sorry this is soooo OT...My heart goes out to the survivors of the hurricane, and my band is working on putting together a dance/concert in a couple of weeks to benefit the Red Cross)
Post Edited (2005-09-11 16:58)
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2005-09-12 17:04
I believe sfalexi has the right answer. One could play with the proper dry reed, but, being porous, the reed absorbs moisture from your mouth and, in the process, it's playing characteristics change. By premoistening it, the reed reaches a stable equilibrium before you start playing. (Note that a reed that plays well dry may not play as well wet and vice-versa.)
And, as far as what produces the sound, you are correct that the reed's vibration *produces* the sound. But a number of other factors *control* the sound. The pitch, for instance, is primarily (but not exclusively) controlled by the the length of the air column. In addition to producing the sound, the reed, through its particular physical characteristics also affects the harmonics produced.
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