 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: moolatte
Date: 2009-10-08 01:16
We've been having crazy weather this week. One day, it's nice and warm. The next, the humidity's unbearable. And the next, the weather becomes ultracold.
All this is happening while I'm trying to break in new reeds. I think I might have ruined them, but I don't know. I have a monthly quota of 1 box of reeds a month. I've already gotten 4 out. I only have 6 to last me the rest of October.
To the point at hand, my reeds sound great the 1st time I play on them. But each time I play on them after that, the tone deteriorates. The sound gets raspier and raspier each time. I've tried filing my reeds, but that appears to make things worse by giving me some reed chirps.
Does the sound deterioration have something to do with the weather? A clarinet professional recommended that I put my reeds in a plastic bag to help control the humidity, but the tone is still raspy and airey.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2009-10-08 01:25
Have you checked them for warpage?
Having a stable reed storage system is a good thing - I use the Rico Reed vault which holds a bunch of reeds and really makes a big difference in the reeds not warping.
I'm an Artist for the Corp, but Artist or not, I'd use it.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-10-08 02:34
moolatte,
Take heart. weather can cause the kinds of problems you seem to be having. Although I use a Rico reed case with a humidifying insert and keep the case in a freezer bag, marked changes in temperature and humidity can make a practice session difficult.
I opened a box of Vandoren traditional 3.5's on 9/29 and started breaking in eight of them. Six played well from the start. Two days later, I played them again and worked on a few with Tom Ridenour's ATG system. So far so good. But by the start of this week, the temperature dropped, the humidity dropped and the reeds played more like plywood.
This morning, after a night of rain. They were much, much better. Some, in fact, were really good.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-10-08 03:41
Check out my reed page on my website for suggestions on breaking in a reed and keeping them humidity controlled . Also, keeping them in a plastic air tight bag with a Rico Reed Vitalizer, I suggest #58, in it goes a long way in keeping them humidity controlled. The temperature is not nearly as much of a problem as the humidity change is and that will control them if you keep them in the bag, closed tight, all the time with a Vitalizer in there. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
I am a Rico artist but I do exactly what I'm telling you to do, and it works for me.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
Post Edited (2009-10-08 14:44)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2009-10-08 14:09
I take three days of playing on each reed ten minutes a day - before playing on them for ANY length of time or doing ANY adjustments. I think in fluctuating weather, it may take a longer break in period.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: William
Date: 2009-10-08 14:56
I play Forestone reeds and have no problems with humidity, warpage, break-in, reed dry-out or waterlog, etc. Free, Free, Free at last.......from cane, that is.
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