 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-04-19 02:51
I played at rehearsal tonight. The reed performed BEAUTIFULLY!!! (I on the other hand . . . . but the reed's response was PERFECT!)
However when I looked at it, it looks really REALLY old. Dark marks where my lip touches it, just looks grimy.
So now, ethically speaking, I'm at a fork in the road. I have a concert coming up in about two weeks. Do I ....
A)Toss the reed and hope that something else sounds better on the day of the concert . . . (Theory being Cleanliness is next to Godliness)
B)Save the reed and see if it works as well at the concert (knowing full well that my immune system will be able to battle whatever few microbes happen to be on that reed, and going with the theory of If it ain't broke, don't fix it)
C)Attempt to sterilize the reed in some fashion (ie dipping in peroxide) in hopes that it won't change the reed's composition enough to affect its playing ability (Hmmm . . . can't think of a common expression relating to this one off the top of my head)
Of course, this COULD all be a moot point, if the conditions of that day warrant an entirely different reed anyway, however the concert will be held at the very same locale as the rehearsal, at the same time, and hopefully the same wonderful weather (it was a GREAT day here in Northern NJ)
What'dya guys think?
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2005-04-19 02:51)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-04-19 02:56
Don't put all hope on one reed.
Open a new box tomorrow and start breaking them all in.
In 2 weeks they should be at their prime...GBK
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-04-19 03:02
However it seems such a shame to throw out a perfectly good sounding reed......
US Army Japan Band
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Author: RosewoodClarinet
Date: 2005-04-19 03:03
Well, if you want to keep old reeds, you can keep them. But, you should clean them. I keep old "good" reeds for just reherence and clean with REEDLIFE. I do not intend to play these old reeds often, but I can use them for practice purpose.
And then, I open a new box of reeds and let them broken-in.
RosewoodClarinet
Post Edited (2005-04-19 03:04)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-04-19 03:17
"...However it seems such a shame to throw out a perfectly good sounding reed...."
Why throw it out? It certainly should give you a few practice sessions.
However, the chances of it playing the exact same way 2 weeks from now are slim.
As I've said before, external factors which you have little control over (temperature, humidity, etc...) have a great deal to do with reed performance.
Thus, keep a number of reeds (minimum 4) in a performance ready state. To cover all contingencies it is also wise to have some of these reeds prepared slightly softer and some slightly harder than usual.
I tell my students to use a rotation based on the "Rule of 12" -
- Have 4 newer reeds which are in the process of being broken in and adjusted.
- Have 4 fully prepared reeds which are performance ready.
- Have 4 older reeds which are for practice sessions.
- As the newer reeds reach performance level, move them into the 2nd group. Then begin to break in a new batch (4) of reeds.
- As the performance reeds pass their prime, move them into the practice group.
- As the practice reeds wear out or become too difficult to play, toss them out.
Professionals often double, or triple the above numbers.
BTW - I just looked at my current reed rotation:
Reeds currently being broken in - 10
Reeds in a performance ready state - 12
Reeds which are past their prime but still vibrant enough for practice - 7
...GBK
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Author: donald
Date: 2005-04-19 11:07
sfalexi presents us with a situation familiar to many clarinet players
but as far as i can see it isn't an ETHICAL dilemma
have i missed something?
donald
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-04-19 11:57
Never use peroxide! That will only give your reed about 1 day of life and then it will be worse than before.
What you can do which will help it a lot is to wash it completely. Use an old toothbrush (ok, now it's time to change your current brush) and soap. Lightly brush the reed and rinse.
That will help the reed vibrate and get the dead lip skin off of the reed.
Keep your reeds clean - they will work better.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-04-19 12:07
To tell if the reed is really dying, look at it in a bright light and check to see if the fibers are starting to "disintegrate". They will have almost a permed look to them - the fibers running up the reed.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-04-19 13:59
D) Lay off the coffee and ciggies if the reed appearance really bothers you...or is it that cheap Muscatel you're sipping.
E) Keep your reeds away from your dog...
F) "When you come to a fork in the road.....take it." Yogi Bera
Bob Draznik
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