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Reeds, Humidity, and You

Author: GBK
Date: 2006-08-16 20:44

After going through a brutal month in the Northeast USA of very hot and excessively humid days, and with many important solo and orchestral performances to play, I thought that a few tips on how to have success through those conditions, is in order.

1. Forget about any humidity controlled reed case, zip lock bag, humidor or any other contraption. After 10 minutes of being exposed to current humidity conditions, your reeds will still need attention. For greater control over the task at hand, it is better to let the reeds be exposed and stabilize to the current conditions and adjust them once, as needed. A reed coming out of a (for example) zip lock bag is only going to play well for a few minutes, before adapting (for the negative) to the prevailing humidity levels.

2. Keep a few boxes on hand of reeds in strengths lighter than your usual preferred choice. Since your normal reeds will most likely play 1/2 to 1 full strength harder in high humidity, drop down at least 1/2 strength. Why fight a balky, non-responsive reed? It only fosters over-blowing and saps your embouchure strength.

There is no shame in temporarily playing a softer reed. Just like in golf - it doesn't matter what club you use, as long as the ball gets on the green. No one will ask what strength reed you are using - especially if the resulting sound is vibrant, responsive and easily controlled. During this past month, I have frequently used 2 1/2 or 2 3/4 reeds instead of 3 or 3 1/2.

3. Purchase a good quality reed knife or (my personal choice) a Vandoren glass reed resurfacer and wand. Use it and carry it with you at all times. Often, just a very light scrape over the entire vamp and/or the back of the reed, removing a tiny bit of material, will make a huge difference in the reed's response.

4. Don't forget about the rails. A single light scrape down the left and right rail will often free up a balky reed. Also - try taking off a minute amount of material off each rail by holding the reed perpendicular to the resurfacer and making one or two passes. This, in essence, narrows the reed, but almost always improves response.

5. Always carry with you 4 - 6 well used, broken in, reeds which normally would be put into your practice reed rotation. In emergencies, when none of the above work, a well sealed, used, "battle worn" reed may just do the trick.

6. Always carry with you 4- 6 brand new reeds, never played, in varying strengths. As a last resort, a brand new reed can get you through the first hour of a performance, before getting totally waterlogged. It will then be permanently damaged from overuse, but may save you in an emergency.

7. Do not throw away unresponsive reeds. Instead, (after cursing at them) store them and retry when drier conditions prevail. A gem may be found among the bunch. If none work at that time - toss the batch. Don't waste time trying to make something out of nothing.

8. Don't change your set-up. Your current mouthpiece and ligature got you up to this point. Don't further confuse the issue by inserting a new variable. Have faith in your current equipment and choices.

9. This may be controversial to some - but, if you find a reed which is working perfectly and you have a few back to back performances, leave the reed on the mouthpiece. Just place a cap on the mouthpiece to let the reed mostly dry out overnight. Chances are high that it will be fine for the next day or two of playing. Why fix something that isn't broken? Leave well enough alone.

10. A plastic reed? Certainly a possibility, but for me, on clarinet, I think there is something lacking in the sound. I do carry 2 of them with me at all times, but never had the reason (or courage) to use one for a performance.

Having successfully made it through another rough summer of reed woes, I hope some of the above advice is useful in your quest to having a good reed, day after day.

Additional suggestions and/or comments are always welcomed...GBK

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Reeds, Humidity, and You new

GBK

2006-08-16 20:44