 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Susan
Date: 2000-10-18 18:29
Does anyone have a problem with reeds molding?What should I do? How can i prevent my reeds from getting moldy? I have only had new reeds for a few weeks and i always wipe them off before i put them away. but still i see my newest reed with signs of molding! Please help!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Meri
Date: 2000-10-18 18:36
I had a problem with that once. Part of the problem may be your reed case--what type of reed case are you using? Because I remember having that problem with Vandoren reed cases. I solved this problem by letting the reeds dry fully before storing them away, or at least do it as soon as I get home from rehearsal.
Meri
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2000-10-18 21:14
To kill the mold, occasionally soak your reeds in hydrogen peroxide, which can be purchased cheaply at your pharmacy. Rinse them off and dry them after soaking. You might also soak your reed holder.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Steve Hartman
Date: 2000-10-19 02:45
My experience is that when I've used water to wet reeds, they have occasionally gotten moldy, especially when I was using a plastic reedcase. I only use saliva now, and I can't remember the last time a reed got moldy
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2000-10-19 04:54
Susan, the probable cause of your reeds molding is too much moisture. You could try a reed case that will better allow the reeds to dry. Some of them, like the blue Vandorens can actually help to draw moisture away from them. Another possibilty is a salt box, but this is a little clumsy to carry around. I wouldn't try chemicals, but rather find a method to keep excess moisture from the reeds. Also, moldy reeds are no fun to work with. You can scrape off the mold, but they won't play well, and they taste awful. Throw them away. Good luck. -- Nate Zeien
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2000-10-19 14:12
Dear Susan,
All of the above responses are good. Too much moisture is the main problem but also there are bits of food debris and skin particles imbedded in the reed which feed the mold. There is a product - Reedlife - www.reedlife.com - which is sold directly, or now I believe from WWBW that contains peroxides but also humectants which do not completely dry out the reed like straight 3% drug store hydrogen peroxide will do. Also check out Reed RX - a Sneezy sponsor for a similar product. The added ingredients, although more expensive than drug store peroxide, really do add to the longevity and playability of the reed while killing the mold and foaming out the detritus imbedded in the reed which usually extends the playable life of the reed. Mold will not grow if the relative humidity is less than 50% - the most important cure. Hope this helps!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lelia
Date: 2000-10-19 15:28
I live in humid Northern Virginia, where mold and mildew cause problems. For me, the best solution for storing reeds is also one of the least expensive: a Vito reed holder that holds four reeds, two of them on each side. The surface is slightly ribbed to let air circulate. I always rinse my reeds off under the tap when I finish practicing. Then I blot them dry with a towel, then put them in the Vito holder. I let the holder sit out for awhile, as long as I'm in my office (where I practice), but for overnight storage, I put the reed holder in a cigarette box, where air can still circulate but the cat can't get to the holder to play hockey with it. Once a week, I rinse out my reeds and mouthpieces with mouthwash, to kill anything that might have built up. Vinegar or lemon juice work well, too.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2000-10-19 16:29
Here's what Kalmen Opperman taught me.
When you take the reed off the mouthpiece, hold it in your left hand with your thumb on top (on the bark) and your index finger going across underneath. Point the tip of the reed to the right.
Pinch the vamp and underside of the reed gently between your right thumb and index finger, with your thumb going across and your index finger pointing along the bottom.
Gently stroke the reed, always from the shoulder to the tip, sliding your fingers off the end of the tip. Continue until the reed feels dry -- maybe 10 seconds.
I've never had a reed get mouldy after doing this.
Mould grows where air can't circulate. I had a lot of trouble with soft plastic pockets, like the ones Tom Ridenour used to pack his reeds in. These days I use the open-sided plastic holders that Vandoren reeds come in, or just put them bark-side-down on a table to dry overnight.
If you do get mould, a bit of toothpaste and an old toothbrush work wonders. Always scrub lengthwise toward the tip.
Good luck.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Pat
Date: 2000-10-19 16:30
Reed mold is rather nasty. Last year I came in with reed mold into one of my lessons with my current teacher. He told me a method he used in order to prevent this. Let most of the moister evaparate from your reed and swab out your clarinet very carefully so when your put your instrument and reed away, mold won't be able to grow.
If mold does grow, you might as well through the reeds away because they are already damaged. Since the spores can be spread, you might as well soak your mouthpiece and reed case in a super dilluted chlorine water solution. That will kill the spores and will also prevent spores from spreading to other reeds.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2000-10-21 02:21
I scrape the skin cells and moisture off the reed with my reed knife. If the reed is stiff I try to get a tiny amount of reed too. If the reed is playing correctly I just try to get the crud. I expect your lips deposit stuff on the reed too. I can't be the only person with this problem.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
