 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2003-02-12 13:50
Based on previous "reed life" topics, I see that my reeds don't seem to last as long as some of the posters on this board. I follow normal blowing-in procedures etc. After a few weeks my reeds tend to be too soft, and lose their "life". For those who play reeds for longer than 3 weeks- do you normally have to clip your reeds after a few weeks?
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-02-12 21:27
I wonder if other factors are in play:
How much time do you play on a daily basis?
How many reeds in rotation?
What thickness is the blank at the butt end?
Other than that, you're dealing with normal variables and these can't be managed (flexure pattern, digestive gusto)...
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Author: charles
Date: 2003-02-13 03:06
well I play on reeds that I make myself, but when they start to get "soft" or "easy blowing" clipping it will solve that problem, but at the same time it will create dimensional probelms that will very quickly affect a good reeds performance. You will have to be sure if you do clpi the tip a little that you might want to sand the high back of the reed down some, so as so keep the dimensions similar. That is just the thought I would have on it.
Charles
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-02-13 05:16
I have tried clipping with several different types of clippers. I have had no success. The type of player I see using them is generally using their reed way too long and are often over-blowers. I get about a week out of each reed only on clarinet and sax. Maybe 2 weeks out of a hard tenor reed but no more.
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Author: Azclar
Date: 2003-02-13 06:41
I don't clip my reeds, but I do sand them with a fine sand paper. I hold the reed parallel to the ground and then move the sand paper back and forth at a perpendicular angle until the reed doesn't bend with the pressure of the sand paper alone. This generally works well for me.
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2003-02-13 06:41
Thanks for your responses. In reply to SB's questions:
I play for about 30 hours a week.
I usually have 10 reeds in rotation.
Blank thickness at the butt end is about 3.2 mm
I blow in my reeds over a period of about 6-7 days. I soak only in saliva, rub the vamps, etc. I then get about 2 weeks playing out of the reeds before they start to go soft, and lose their "life" and flexibilty. Any suggestions?
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Author: Karel
Date: 2003-02-14 00:37
I have had reasonable success using a sanding method similar to Azclar. I use a 600 sandpaper glued to a tile sitting on a tabletop, and, while holding the reed perpendicular to the ground, move it over the sandpaper in an arc attempting to follow the shape of the tip, applying only gentle pressure. If I understand Azclar's description correctly, he sands up and down with the reed's flat surface parallel with the ground; I find sanding from left to right (or right to left) across the reed gives better control of the result. It does not produce new reeds though. Is there anyone else who uses sandpaper?
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2003-02-14 07:07
My colleague uses sandpaper, and says he gets a much better result than clipping. He did a few of my reeds yesterday, and I'm very impressed with the results. It seems to make the reed a bit stronger, but without causing the "stiffness" or lack of flexibilty that I usually find after clipping.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2003-02-14 17:12
I have a clipper but haven't been very lucky saving any reeds with it. They just don't seem to play very well after clipping and I have the feeling that when the tip "goes" the rest of the reed has had it too.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-02-14 19:44
As Charles correctly points out, clipping a reed completely changes its dimensions, and it then must be rebalanced and re-profiled (is that a word?).
After clipping, start by slightly taking down the rails, and then working carefully and slowly back through the entire vamp.
Test after each small adjustment...GBK
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