 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TrueApricot
Date: 2005-12-17 14:54
Hi. I'm a high school bass clarinet player.
When I wet a reed in my mouth the edges feel really sharp against my lip and I almost get reed-cuts. I run ultra fine sandpaper along the either sides of the reed at 45 degree angle to make the edges more rounder.
Of course, I do it really carefully and lightly not to reduce its width.
I was wondering if it is ok to do so.
Thanks.
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Author: bass9396
Date: 2005-12-17 15:07
I've been shaving the edges of my reeds with a reed knife since I was your age. It's just fine. Plus, with some reeds, it won't kill you to make it narrower.
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2005-12-17 15:31
Probably won't make much difference on a larger reed like bass clarinet. The proof is to try the reed 1st before making the adjustment and seeing if it makes a good or bad change in how it plays.
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Author: Shorthand
Date: 2005-12-17 16:15
When I was playing on a Bay mouthpiece (Bass Clarinet), I was sanding down the rails of the reed (from the side) constantly. (The Bay has a small window, so you have a lot of extra reed on the sides - and its one more way to balance a reed.)
Larry Guy recommends using the finest part of an emory pad to deburr the edges after sanding them. A little deburring isn't likely to do much at all.
Really, you have to remove a pretty substantial amount of material along the rail (from the sides) to have much effect. In my experience its not nearly as sensitive as removing material from the reed's "face".
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-12-18 15:35
Quote:
When I wet a reed in my mouth the edges feel really sharp against my lip and I almost get reed-cuts. I run ultra fine sandpaper along the either sides of the reed at 45 degree angle to make the edges more rounder.
Of course, I do it really carefully and lightly not to reduce its width.
I was wondering if it is ok to do so. Does the reed still play well afterwards and does it's life last long enough to satisfy you? If so, then go right ahead. In a case like this, I'd go by the rule, "No harm, no foul."
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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