 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kim
Date: 2001-12-16 03:57
OK, I never thought I'd be putting a post on this board, but here goes. I'm a professional and this problem has me and every other professional clarinetist that I've asked stumped. So far, I have yet to find anyone else with the same problem.
In dry winter-type weather, my reeds will partially dry out and warp WHILE I'M PLAYING ON THEM. After 5 minutes or so of continuously playing on a 'once-entirely wet' reed, I will begin to feel a change in how it plays. When I take the reed off and look at the back (flat side) of the reed, there is ALWAYS a section of the reed right below the tip that is BONE DRY, which, as one might guess, causes inevitable warpage with part of the reed being wet and the other part being dry. (Incidentally, there is usually the same patch of dryness inside of the mouthpiece directly across from where it's happening on the reed.) My best guess is that it has something to do with either how I'm using my air or a combination of that and jaw pressure, but I really don't know what it is or what to do. At an audition a few years ago this problem became so severe that really good reeds became almost unplayable within 10 minutes.
Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated! I'm tired of being in the dark about this problem. Thanks!
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Author: William
Date: 2001-12-16 15:41
I have experianced the same problem with reads drying out while in use--quite frustrating, as you well know. However, since I have been wetting my reeds in my mouth with saliva only--no water soaking as in the past--I have not had a single reed dry out on the mouthpiece. This has even worked better for my sax reeds on a combo gig where my alto, for example, may sit idle for considerable times between uses (while I "jive" on my tenor or clarinet). With a half hour of water soaking, my reeds would eventually dry and warp. With saliva, no problem. I have no explanation for this as the facts fly in the face of reason which suggests that more water should be better. Saliva soaking seems to prevent my reeds from drying on the job--I don't know why. FYI--Also, I have started to seal all of my reeds by rubbing the faces before and after use--perhaps this pratice could be a contributing factor in keeping the reeds from drying in use. Bottom line--Whatever works, works!! Good Clarineting!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2001-12-16 16:35
William uses the same procedure as I do, and I have not encountered the drying out problem, either.
I am careful to break in all my concert quality reeds very carefully - saliva only - and polishing and sealing the top / bottom and butt ends with plain white paper. When the reed is properly sealed and polished, the drying out seems to be halted.
Also, after all adjustments (sandpaper, reed rush, knife) I reseal any "reopened" areas of the reed...GBK
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Author: Kim
Date: 2001-12-17 01:03
Thanks for the replies. I'll give the saliva-only thing a shot. I had been dipping them in water before playing them.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2001-12-17 04:12
Kim, it is possible to have inadequate saliva production, which can be corrected through proper medication (fairty benign stuff). If the saliva presoak doesn't do it, perhaps consulting a physician might help. This was brought out in another recent thread.
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Author: jeff
Date: 2001-12-17 06:00
Hello
Another thing that you may try is after wetting the reed lick the bottom portion of the reed then put it on the mouthpiece. This seems to work well for both keeping the reed wet and for forming to the mouthpiece.
jeff
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Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2001-12-18 01:05
Kim: Notice that all of the above authors have stated that they wet their reeds with saliva, not water, and I believe that this is gvery strong clue to your main problem. Notice also that tye all seal their reeds after breaking in or any adjuxtments which are made to the reeds. I have always tried to teach my students, beginners to advanced, the importance of sealing the reeds to keep out any excess moisture, and here it believe that it also keeps out escessive dryness as indicated by your initial statements. Should this not allieviate your problem I would seek medical attention because the salive glands automatically secrete anytime something is inserted into the mouth -- just part of mother nature working. Good Luck with the solving of your problem.
Bob Curtis
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Author: Tim Sites
Date: 2001-12-18 20:05
I haven't wetted a reed in years, either with water or saliva. I found that reeds wetted with tap water would die quickly and would change considerably even while playing. They also tended to not dry evenly or completely and would often develop fungal growth inside the cane (not on the surface). My procedure for reeds has been to take a new dry reed and remove the course fibers on the front side by using a 600 grit paper. Sand toward the butt of the reed starting about 1/8 from the tip using light strokes until the reed feels smooth to the touch when you move your finger against the grain. I then burnish the surface of the reed using a burnishing bone (sold at art supply stores) or just use the bark side of an old reed. Then I polish the backside of the reed by rubbing the reed against a sheet of white paper in a circular motion until the table of the reed has a bit of a shine.
I then rub the surface of the reed (usually taking a little body oil from the side of my nose on my finger tips) working the reed for couple of minutes to seal it.
I then put the dry reed on my horn and play long tones starting in the low registers at a good forte and working slowly into the upper registers. About 5 minutes of playing is enough and I set it aside. Before playing it again I repeat the burnishing, polishing and rubbing one more time.
I've found that my reeds play well with just a couple of minutes warm up and the only moister they get is from my breath. I can play on them for several hours with little or no change in responsiveness and the reed last a long time. Because the pores of the cane have been closed and sealed, the reeds cannot get waterlogged and they tend to dry evenly. It's not unusual to have a reed last 6 months or more (of course alternating with at least a couple of other reeds so you don't play it every day), but the biggest benefit is the consistent response and that they tend to be ready to play almost as soon as you put it on the horn with little or no warmup.
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2001-12-19 01:39
Tim, doesn't that get a little tedious if you do that every single time?
What I'm wandering is... Does oil corrode and warp the same way that water does? Or saliva?
Perhaps the best solution would be simply to use an organic oil (or maybe even an organic acid like vinegar, I might try that.) to wet reeds. Should we try it out and pool in results?
Everyone go raid the kitchens!!
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Author: Kim
Date: 2001-12-19 19:55
Thanks everyone for your responses. You gave me some new ideas that I'm presently trying. Happy holidays!
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