 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DaveF
Date: 2011-04-01 15:39
Here's a new reed improvement tool that I've been working on for some
time,
that I'd like to share with the clarinet community, seeking comment.
However, I think you'll need to try it first, and I'm now making available
limited quantities.
Many of us hold on to those great sounding reeds, those precious ones, for
extended periods of time. If you store them in a higher relative humidity
device (like Rico Reed Vitalizer) you may observe mold. This can lead
people treating with hydrogen peroxide, drying them out, and/or scrubbing
them with toothbrushes with a variety of substances, or even tossing them
away. I raise the question why? Is the mold harmful to the reed? Not
likely with limited amounts. Is the mold harmful to you? Almost
certainly not in limited amount. Could the mold actually be helpful, i.e.
make the reed sound better? Maybe........
I am making available my reed treatment, that I have named ATF (Apply The
Fungus), patent pend., to this clarinet community. It is a 30 ml culture
of Cladosporium sp., dark green in color, but virtually odorless and
tasteless. It comes with a reed width sponge application tool, that kept
moist will serve as it's own culture media. I have found that three
applications on sequential days leads to a thin film, and for me, I feel
like I get a clear sound, eveness between registers, and extended life.
Weekly treatment there-after, and storing at 73% humidity keeps it going.
But, as they say, results may vary.
Contact me offline for mailing and payment instructions, and if desired I
can include a 120 ml bottle of Nystatin for swish and spit, for those
worried about oral health. Depending on my cost, I'll be charging between
$20 and $30 USD per single treatment. Be aware, that there are rumors
that
Mr. Backun will soon start marketing a version he's been developing,
supposedly for $125 USD, so you may want to try my version first.
> Dave F.
> Seattle, WA
>
> (Yeah, it's April Fools)
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-04-01 16:17
When I first saw your thread title I thought you were suggesting soaking reeds in automatic transmission fluid.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-04-01 16:27
I've been using the Rico Vitalizer for many years now, clarinet and bass clarinet, and I keep them in a sealed sandwich - freezer bag, three total for all my reeds. Orchestra, chamber music and bass clarinet reeds. I've never had even a tiny bit of mold on any reed in the 4-5 years I've been using them, never. That's not April Fools either. But if I did I would soak them in beer or white wine, red would make the reed look funny, then at least they would taste better even if they didn't play better, but who would care anyway, not me. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2011-04-01 18:59
Dave, will your ATF system work on synthetic reeds?
(snicker)
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Author: DaveF
Date: 2011-04-02 00:02
I hadn't considered the issue of the synthetic reeds. Perhaps I should produce an organic "pre-treatment" option for synthetic reed users.
Dave F.
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2011-04-02 15:36
Good one, Dave F! Now watch, your post will go viral with the context missing and students will start competing to see who's got the "best" reed, which they'll define as the greenest. And it'll have to be a at least a 4.5, or better yet a 5.0.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-04-02 15:45
Since synthetic reeds don't absorb water like cane I think they will need to be pre soaked in gin or vodka for at least three hours a day for one week, two hours a day for the second week, one hour a day for the last week. Then they will have to be set out in the sun for at least one hour a day for 3-4 days at which point, after playing them for at least ten minutes each day for two weeks, you can throw it away. LOL ESP
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2011-04-02 18:27
Ed--That's almost the same exact procedure I use for breaking-in orange-box Ricos.
Sometimes the reeds play better if the clarinetist consumes some of the liquor (but not on a paying gig).
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