 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: moose6589
Date: 2003-08-13 08:03
I unfortunately don't own a reed knife yet, but I do feel the need to adjust reeds. Call me crazy/disgusting/psychotic/etc. but here's my method for doing basic adjustments of reeds with no equipment.
First, put the reed on the mouthpiece on the ligature and then put together your clarinet so that it is ready to play. Wet the reed completely, and play a few notes. Then, if you need to adjust, just scrape the area in question with your nail! You can take off quite a bit of reed if you keep scraping, and you can also be precise if you want to. It only works when the reed is wet, or else no cane will come off. Quite easy to do, also. I imagine it would be great for emergencies say you were playing a concert and you didn't have a reed knfie handy, and the reed just suddenly got extremely hard for whatever reason. Just scratch the thing with your nail, and you're good! Now for the pros and cons:
Pros: No equipment required, easy to do, easy to test adjusted reeds, no need to sharpen reed knives, great for emergencies
Cons: probably not the best way to do reed adjustments, numerous other things I suppose that I can't think of right now
Give your comments on this, has anyone else tried it? Is it really that bad
Love to hear what some of the more sensible/normal people on the board have to say about this.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2003-08-13 11:03
Hi Moose,
Not that I'm against using finger nails for other purposes, I'd think just keeping some Dutch Rush or fine sandpaper in your case will work as well. I have gotten through 50 years of playing (yikes) and do not own a reed knife. I have always been able to make whatever adjustments I needed using the two items above.
HRL
PS I get my Dutch Rush from just off the left side of the second fairway on the Stone Ridge golf course in Bowling Green, OH. Sandy soil with water.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2003-08-13 11:11
And I suppose bringing your reed up to par makes it sing like a birdie?
Sorry . . . couldn't resist. Two stroke penalty . . . ![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif)
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Author: msloss
Date: 2003-08-13 12:02
Wait 'til you get that first reed splinter under a fingernail and then you'll wish you had dutch rush for the reed and tweezers for your finger. ![[whoa]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie10.gif)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-08-13 12:50
I never discard old reeds. Slit lengthwise into various widths they can be used for all kinds of purposes including adjusting good reeds. "Your assignment, should you agree to accept it" is to discover the sharp edge.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2003-08-13 13:49
BobD said: "Slit lengthwise into various widths....."
yeah, and they make great toothpicks
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Author: Neil
Date: 2003-08-13 22:53
I have tried sanding the upper side (scrape?) of the reed using fine sandpaper wrapped around a cylindrical object and gotten mixed results. I have pretty much given up on that but I do lightly scrape with my thumbnail, just enough to remove fuzz. I sand the underside on sandpaper lying on a sheet of glass. Frequently, after sanding, I clean up the tip with a small pair of scissors. The edges also need buffing occasionally. Make sure you have a couple of good reeds on hand before you start all this.
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Author: Pam H.
Date: 2003-08-13 23:08
I've used a pocket knife in the past, now have a decent enough reed knife. They don't cost THAT much. It's small enough to keep in my case or a pocket if I think I need it.
If you're rotating a few reeds you should have some good ones to play in public, saving the not-so-great ones to practice at home or practice shooting into the trash can in your practice area. It's also easy to have an extra reed in your pocket for an emergency.
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Author: big fat lyre112
Date: 2003-08-14 00:35
Does anyone have any good web sites that will briefly explain/demonstrate the "art" of reedworking? I know that you gotta practice and all, but I was just lookin for something on something to go by...rather than killing all of my reeds...
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-08-14 02:21
Assuming the reeds are through the break-in stage, perfectly flat and balanced, here are some basic guidelines:
http://www.saxlessons.com/reedadjustment.htm
Obviously, your reed must be tailored to fit the facing on your particular mouthpiece. Asymmetrical rails will add another variable to the equation.
Remove any material in very small increments ...GBK
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