 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rusty
Date: 2009-11-24 20:40
Normally I have no problems but I played just two songs at a concert and had a swollen soar lip the following day. Maybe in the excitment of playing I just tightened my lips too much.
It was however an almost new reed and it made me remember the demonstrater of the Rico reeds dipping the reed in water and wiping hard the finger across the upper surface to smooth the surface for more comfortable contact with the lip.
Does anyone else do this? What about a slight wipe with the finest emery to even the surface?
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-11-24 22:04
Mark Nuccio did that to close the openings in the grain where they were cut open during manufacture, not so much to make the surface more comfortable against the lip, but to seal the pores so they soak up water more slowly. Many players do this also with older reeds (maybe he does also - he doesn't get that far) to flatten any crinkling along the tip edge that can appear when an older reed is first wet and isn't absorbing the water evenly.
Certainly, if you feel splinters or roughness on the surface, you can swipe over it lightly with a very fine abrasive of your choice, but you do risk changing the reed's vibrating characteristics, so I wouldn't do it as a routine thing without first trying the reed.
Where was your lip sore and swollen? Inside or outside? Inside would of course be from your teeth digging into the tissue, which would be a sign that for some reason you were biting too hard. Whether it was excitement or a bad reed that didn't vibrate easily you'd have to decide. If it was the outside part of your lip that the reed rests on, it could have been a rough spot irritating you, but for most commercial brands these days something like that would an exception. You just need to notice if something's irritating your lip, and if it is, then do what's needed to fix it.
Karl
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-11-24 22:38
I sometimes if the reed is a bit rough use the back of a sandpaper and just lightly polish the reed facing area.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-11-25 00:18
Good for you Ice, it makes sense. I'd love to know if you're in high school, college age or an adult.
As far as the sore lip goes, it may not have had anything to do with the reed although the reed could have been rough or to hard for you. I have several suggestions on my reed page on my website that may give you some hints on breaking in reeds and making adjustments. Give it a look see. ESP
http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Rusty
Date: 2009-11-25 03:09
The Swelling was on the inside of the lip.
Ed, excellent info in your eddieclarinet.com.
What is this on the florel or surgical tape? Is this tape you use on your lip inside your mouth?
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