 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: shahn
Date: 2011-02-28 03:05
Has anyone used distilled water for wetting reeds before practicing and cleaning them after use?
I am wondering if any non-pure water components from saliva deposits on and penetrates inside the reeds that affects the life of the reed. . If so, would using distilled water help prolong the reed life?
Sam
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Author: clairmusic
Date: 2011-02-28 03:12
When I get a new box of reeds (vandorens), I soak them in distilld water. it seems to help take the imperities out. and it seems to prolong the reed life.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-02-28 03:14
Interesting question, but my initial feeling is that it's probably worth more effort than necessary. I think Dr. Henderson (Doctor's Products) might have some input on this as he does sell a revitalizing liquid for reeds (REEDLIFE). Maybe he has some data on what ordinary tap water puts into it. But my gut feeling is that saliva deposits, and the breaking down of the wood due to saliva is far more harmful and affects it enough that changing to distilled water would have a negligible affect.
But I'm definitely hoping the Doctor chimes in with his thoughts.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: shahn
Date: 2011-02-28 06:13
Alex,
I was originally interested in distilled vs. tap water. . Now I am also interested in distilled water vs. saliva.
Thanks.
Sam
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2011-02-28 18:51
For many years I have followed the practice of many double reed players and preferred to use water rather than saliva to both break in my reeds and also for the initial wetting prior to playing.
I think if nothing else it prolongs the reed's useful life.
Since our local water supply comes from chalk substrate and is very hard I choose to use bottled water (cheapest brand) rather than tap water.
Have never tried distilled, in fact it's very hard to find here, as most "soft" water sold is actually ionised to reduce hardness rather than distilled.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-02-28 21:53
After many years working at Rico, the musicians found little or no value soaking reeds in distilled water VS tap water.
It is my opinion you need to close the fibers of great reeds. You actually help prolong the life of the reeds.
Saliva can work both ways. It can seal the reed and it can kill the reed depending on what you eat or ate. I find that taking the back of sand paper and rubbing the reed lightly over the back will seal the reed very well. The coating on the back of the sand paper is somewhat like wax. It doesn't work on every reed but if I find a really great reed I will do this technique.
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