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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 1999-02-19 01:28
When I bought a box(round one) of Peter Ponzol reeds,he put on a small paper about how to break-in them and how to wet reeds before playing it.He recommended to dip the reed tip at least 20 minutes.This was about 10 years ago.
After that I tried what wetting time is enough before playing.I found be wetting too long makes my reeds less vibrant.It may depend on what climate under which they are played.
Reed canes are produced mainly in France,where the climate is fairly dry.The reed boxes then go to same climate countries but also to very different cimate country such as here in Japan.Here atmospheric humidity changes very much with seasons,but generally if reeds passes a rainy season,they become saturated with moisture even in sealed boxes losing some vibration capability.Then if we Japanese player dip the reeds in water,the result is a nearly dead reed.After many years I found two things:
1)Do not buy old boxes of reeds.If stored in Japan,it is
nearly dead.
2)Do not soak it too long before playing,one or two minutes
are OK.
Climate does affect on reed performance.
Also in humid ambient air,any instruments do not sound gooooood!
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Author: Katherine Pincock
Date: 1999-02-20 13:43
Having come from Nova Scotia, which is surrounded by ocean and so one of the most humid places in Canada, I can sympathize with this. That's why I always found it easier just to wet the reed in my mouth--I only ever needed to lightly wet it, and I could play right away. Of course, now I study in Ontario, which is drier, and whenever I go home and come back here, I have to remember to switch! All part of the fun of being a reed player, I guess. ;-)
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 1999-02-23 03:47
Thank you Katherine* for your responding to my somewhat pechuliar question:
You have the same emvironment as that of in Japan.!OK.
This is what I newly think out! You know the life of reeds depend on germs goint to the fibers.Now knowing this fact from a Brasiilian Claritenetitist(Fedelico or Fernado?) in the Klarinet arckive,I am keeping my reeds in my Japanese green tee box which are made of cherry tree's peer inside to avoid germs!
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