 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: wyatt
Date: 2004-01-27 01:40
just wondering how long is the life of a reed. i have been using two for about 7 months for about an hour per day. they are well and happy.
is this about normalw
bob gardner}ÜJ
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-01-27 02:23
Normally I would say no, but if they're still kickin for you, enjoy it! I'd break some other ones in though in case they decide to die on you quickly.
I typically get about a month or two out of any specific reed. It all depends on the reed. Some give in earlier than others.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: ksclarinetgirl
Date: 2004-01-27 03:08
I've had some of my reeds, although not in constant use, since my sophomore or junior year of high schoool, and I'm now a junior in college...most of them are wearing down, but some are still going strong!
Stephanie :o)
"Vita Brevis, Ars Longa"
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2004-01-27 04:30
What brand wyatt? That's a LOOOOONG life-span for a reed, have you tried any new ones since? You might find that the reeds are actually playing awfully, but you're so used to the ones you're playing that you have no idea what you're missing. Or then again you might have reeds, 7 months old, that play brilliantly, in which case you're the luckiest clarinetist alive!
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-01-27 05:24
If I had used the same two reeds for 7 months, and only those two reeds, and nothing ever went awry, I would probably buy lots of lottery tickets and plan a trip to Vegas... luck would most definitely be on my side!
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: msloss
Date: 2004-01-27 14:00
OK, first of all, yeccccccccccchhhhhhh!
Second, no. Those reeds are probably well past played out -- You are just comfortable with how easy they blow.
It never ceases to amaze me what my students will be willing to put in their mouths when it comes to their instruments when they wouldn't drink from a carton of milk one day past its expiration.
Every reed, even within the same box, is going to be different. Some will last like steel and others will crap out in two days. That said, I have never in my experience come across a new student who didn't sound better when made to part with that year-old nasty, brown, ick-covered plank of disgustingness and put on a crispy new reed.
Come on, reeds only cost a buck or two each. Treat yourself to at least a box per quarter.
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Author: GMac
Date: 2004-01-27 14:26
Foreigner intrusion...
Just wanted to let you guys know how lucky you are!!! I am an oboe player...enough said :D. Try making a reed (takes you about 2 hours per reed in total) where about 1 in 5 turns out (maybe!) and then having them last as good playing reeds for about 2-3 weeks!! I would kill for a reed that would last me 7 months...or how about 2!!
P.S. I got a free clarinet! Haven't used it yet, but looking forward to it!
Graham
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Author: wyatt
Date: 2004-01-27 16:15
One of them is a vandorem 56 that i picked up at fest. have purchased a box of 10 and still havn't opened them.
the second one is a mozart and it is going strong.
IF THEY PLAY WELL WAY CHANGE THEM.
bob gardner}ÜJ
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2004-01-27 16:39
wyatt wrote:
> IF THEY PLAY WELL WAY CHANGE THEM.
Because your ears may be jaded and unreliable after so long. Why not open up a new one, slap it on, break it in, and see if things with the new reed are better. They might be.
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Author: glin
Date: 2004-01-28 03:34
IMHO,
7 months is too long even if you rotate your reeds. I suspect your reed allows you to maintain air through the horn relatively easily or offers less resistance. Have you noticed if your tone has an "edge" to it or for lack of a better word sounds metallic? If you really, really want to hang on to the reed, you may be able to clip the tip with a reed trimmer to give you more resistance. Also, dipping it in hydrogen peroxide might give it some more life for a little bit longer-not to mention cleaning it out!
George
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2004-01-29 09:58
The life span of a reed can be expressed in the same way as the length of a piece of string, ie. twice as long as half its length.
Post Edited (2004-01-29 10:27)
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-01-30 02:10
Recent observation on the lifespan of my reeds...
Under a very generous rotation of reeds (each is played at most one hour per week) of many ages, my 4-month-olds are nearing the guillotine (now only worthy of casual practice), and 3-month-olds are not far behind.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: ksclarinetgirl
Date: 2004-01-30 04:34
Maybe I got a few super reeds then. One of mine that I've had since high school is just now starting to wear down. I only play on reeds of mine that have a sweet tone and clear articulation. My teacher would have noticed if either of those wasn't true.
Concerning the hygiene of the issue, I consider it one of those sacrifices I make for music
Stephanie :o)
"Vita Brevis, Ars Longa"
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Author: Blowthing
Date: 2004-01-31 19:54
I just bought a new pack of reeds today because my old 1 I've already used it for a few monthes which was a lot longer than I expected because my first one lasted for like 5 minutes lol.
Blowthing
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