 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: AR
Date: 2002-08-17 13:15
Hello everyone,
I like to know some suggestions about to care reeds after you selected them "fresh" out of the box. My manner is to keep them in the plastic holders made by Vandooren and send with the boxes. So I do not use a special reedcase to care the reeds. Do you think this is the right way or defenitly not? Thanks for answering!
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Author: William
Date: 2002-08-18 15:16
It would be better to let them dry (cure) on a flat surface, such as a piece of glass, so that they do not warp. Many pros advocate laying the reeds upside down so that the backsides dry as uniformly as the vamps. The VD plastic reed shipping cases may not be flat, allowing unwanted warpping. Let a newly tested reed dry for at least one full day before re-testing. Also, one thing that you can do that will improve the consistancy of your reeds performance is to rub the vamp with you forefinger, thus sealing he xlylem against absorbing too much moisture while the reed is being played. Do this after initial moistening and before placing the reed on your mouthpiece--for only a minute or so (and saliva only)--and after playing before returning it to your newly acquired reed case (recommended). The blue, vented La Voz plastic cases are affordable and good. Much more info can be learned through a search of this website, but these are the "basics." Good luck!!!
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-08-19 15:11
Let me express my heretical opinion once more. You WANT your reeds to warp. The more the better. Let them get it out of their system. Then, when you sand them flat, they stay flat. It's like pre-shrinking wool, or washing a new pair of jeans till they've shrunk all they're going to.
That's why you soak them an let them dry bottom-side-up. The bottom may twist, and it's certain that the bottom will swell out down the middle, since the bark on the top won't give. Let it happen, and then sand to bottom perfectly flat. (Mostly, I use a very large flat file, and sometimes 600 grit sandpaper over a piece of plate glass.)
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Jerry McD
Date: 2002-08-19 18:18
Ken,
That's not heresy (sp?), to me that's gospel. I break my reeds in slowly over 3-4 days playing them no more than 5 minutes each day. At that point you can bet they are good and warped. At this point I sand them flat using 600 grit on glass (sanding with the grain, I know some people recommend sanding in a circle but I prefer with the grain only). At this point you might be able to get a clearer picture of how a reed truly plays and then any adjustments you make on the vamp will be more accurate. Many times they will play adequately for at least practice once they are completely flat.
Just wanted to add my two cents to the confusion..
Jerry McD.
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Author: Lisa
Date: 2002-08-20 23:46
Hi Jerry!
So then is it okay to keep reeds in the plastic or cardboard holder they came in until they are sanded??
I just bought 12 boxes of new reeds and am in the process of breaking them in now.
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