 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2012-02-03 21:40
So, what are some thoughts on soaking reeds in water instead of sticking them in the mouth? I have been seeing it more and more in clarinetists and saxophonists lately, and I'm just curious what kind of differences it can make.
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-02-03 21:49
I do that for just a few seconds, in water. It is my belief that the acids in the saliva breaks down the reed faster than water as well as being thicker making the reed play more tubby as you try it out. Of course that's assuming you "suck" on the reed of a while instead of simply wetting it and play. I think it's a personnal preference. I don't like to soak my reeds very only in the first place so I certianly won't like "sucking" on it for very long either. I doubt a few seconds either way won't make much difference. I just prefer water. ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-02-03 23:56
I too prefer water to be the first contact. Whether this in some way provides a partial barrier to the acidic saliva I am not sure. But I have been happy with this approach.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2012-02-04 01:29
I made my own reeds for many years. I always cured the blanks with saliva for four or five days before making them into reeds. I got this from the old Kal Opperman book. He felt the polishing of the reed blank on fine sandpaper plus the soaking of the reed blank cured the reed and made it much more resistant to absorbing, or over soaking, during its playing life.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
World Class Clarinet Mouthpieces
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2012-02-04 01:36
I've been doing a similar practice for a few months Walter, except with water and micromesh. It has made my reeds last SO much longer!
Out of curiosity, what kind of containers do you all use to soak your reeds in (with the water)? I have seen the oboe containers with the red tops, but I'm not sure if that would be 'tall' enough for clarinet reeds. I'd like something that won't leak...
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
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Author: Trevor M
Date: 2012-02-04 03:57
I don't let my reeds 'soak' per se, I just get the entire reed wet (at a faucet, for instance) and then put a tiny bit of it in my mouth heel-first, like a cigarette, while I put my gear together. It absorbs enough moisture in that time to be playable (it does need to be properly played for a minute or two to stabilize). This doesn't work as well unless you have some time to warm it up properly.
The most surprising reed-wetting procedure I saw was David Breeden's- he'd microwave a teensy little jar of water, smaller than a shot glass, until it was quite hot, and then leave the reed sitting in it tip downward. I like using warm water if I can, but that seemed like it might almost be enough to boil a reed.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-02-04 04:42
I agree with Eddie on this. It's a good question.
With new reeds you can feel the difference faster then doing this on older reeds, because your older reeds have already broken down. I think the best reeds I play are the ones that survive the 1 week mark and usually last about 3 to 4 weeks for me.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-02-04 04:45
Pros have tried all sorts of things to stablize reeds such as olive oil to freezing reeds. Also heeting up the reeds. Nothing has ever worked for me to get more life out of a reed.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-02-04 13:31
My original clarinet teacher, around 60 years back, used to lightly sand the vamp of new reeds and then rub them with a block of beeswax, finishing off with a rub with a piece of chamois. This was done with the reed dry, before it was played. He claimed it made his reeds last longer and remain more consistent during their life. I tried it and didn't notice any difference, but he swore by it.
Tony F.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-02-04 13:32
I use the 'small' pill bottle from either the "Container Store" or "Eastern Mountain Sports" (or any camping store really). They screw tight and are small enough to carry in most cases.
Only about two thirds of the reed fits down into it when in use but I do a quick dunk of the butt end first, then let the upper two thirds stew for about 3 minutes.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-02-04 13:32
Compared to how long a reed is exposed to saliva, I think that lil' bit of water doesn't make that big a difference. But if a certain procedure works for a specific player, why not?
(However it pays to rinse the reed with water before stowing them away for rot(ation). Nothing's worse than to be reminded that you had garlic and pepperoni pizza three weeks ago... ![[tongue]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie6.gif) )
--
Ben
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2012-02-04 16:11
Tony, one of my current clarinet instructors at least used to rub beeswax on her reeds... I don't know if she still does, but she said it stopped the reeds from getting completely soaked through and getting mushy/buzzy really fast. I'll ask her about that next week!
And Ben... Ewwww.
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
Post Edited (2012-02-04 16:12)
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