 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DanzClarinerd
Date: 2013-12-03 03:53
So I have recently been getting very annoyed with my reeds, just a couple days ago I have been noticing that after I play for a while and I set down my clarinet for about a minute or so, there is no response from my reed. It feels like Im trying to blow on a reed that is positioned badly or as if air is leaking out but the reed hasn't moved at all and I have checked and there are no leaks.
I have considered the fact that maybe my reed is drying out quicker than ever before but this has never been a problem. I use a BG ligature and Im playing on a Pomarico mouthpiece. I've recently been experimenting with some Vandoren white master reeds that my professor gave me and I love the projection and timbre that no other reed has given me. Im just stumped on why it is that they are not responding after only a minute of setting my clarinet down. I am wondering if anyone has had this problem before? or any suggestions on how to prevent it?
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-12-03 10:17
It may not be the reed. You may have a padd sticking slightly open. Try checking the adjustment on the A# key, it should just allow the A key to move before it lists the A# key. If one of these is sticking it will give a problem like yours. It could also be a trill key jamming against its guide or its neighbour. Couls also be damage to the mouthpiece.
Tony F.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-12-03 10:25
Boston..........it's cold there and you are inside where the low humidity is made worse by indoor heating.
Your reeds ARE drying out (usually only takes about 40 seconds!). You can set up a hygrometer (cheap thermometer/hygrometer combo available at most hardware stores) and use a humidifier in your practice room (this will help). You want humidity at least around 50% to give your reeds a chance.
The other big thing this time of year is to break in your reeds over a longer period of time (play on a new reed no more than 5 minutes a day for about 4 to 6 days at this time of year).
And finally to preserve your sanity, have some Legeres lying around (use 1/4 strength less than your Vandoren strength....... Vandoren 3 1/2 = Legere 3 1/4).
....................Good luck,
..............................Paul Aviles
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Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2013-12-03 13:23
> and use a humidifier in your practice room (this will help)
also helps with coughing, true
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2013-12-03 13:27
As Paul suggests, it IS heating season and forced-air heating systems can make the indoor air very dry.
Do you put the cap on your mouthpiece when you aren't playing it, even for a minute or two? I find that putting the cap on keeps the reed on the mouthpiece from drying as quickly. But dry reeds in a theater pit drive many of us to synthetic reeds when doing that kind of doubling work.
Karl
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-12-03 14:13
From personal experience, metal mouthpiece caps have a fatal ability to split reeds. I use a soft plastic cover that flares out all around, which I got in 1958.
Ken Shaw
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2013-12-03 14:27
Well, maybe. I find that it's usually my carelessness that splits reeds. The metal cap is only the tool. If I'm careful when I put the cap on, it doesn't make any difference what it's made of. 
Karl
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-12-03 16:03
It is not just 'forced air heating.' I lived in a radiator heated apartment in Arlingtin MA for many years and the humidity was typically around 20% in the winter - a sure fire reed killer.
....................Paul Aviles
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2013-12-03 17:18
I use a plastic cap on my mouthpieces, clarinet and bass, and I've taped over the openings on them so when they're on the mouthpiece there is no air entering the reed. Often, when playing both clarinet and bass on a piece I always cap my MP when when go from one to another and have never had a reed dry out and often the hall has been very dry. Always cap your MP even if you put it down for a few minutes. I can leave my clarinet for ten minutes and the reed plays just fine. I live in MD. I'm a big believer in never soaking a reed, especially the lower part by the bark. That way, never being wet in the first place, it can't "dry out" and cause the reed to Not Seal on the MP. The more a person soaks a reed the more likey it will feel different when it dries even a little bit. You can read my ideas on my reed pages on my website, I've never had a reed warp, that is not seal, since I've followed this practice in my professional life for well over 30 years when I came up with this approach. And I mean never. My reeds seal every single time. Once a reed doesn't seal it won't respond and it may have to be soaked again to expand it enough to seal on the sides or in the back. They will also warp much faster when a reed is "soaked" going from wet to dry, especially the lower portion. Read my pages.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: DanzClarinerd
Date: 2013-12-03 21:43
Thanks for the info! This is my first winter here in Boston so I was not sure what was going on. I set down my clarinet without a cap because I don't have one that fits my BG traditional ligature but I do put the capo on when I use my rovner. I will look into purchasing a humidifier but I have noticed that some pads need replacing but I wont be getting them replaced until the new year when I am back in California and away from this cold weather!
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Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2013-12-04 18:52
I think I read somewhere that at winter indoor humidity level drops below Sahara levels. Not to say that it is not dry all year around in most of California, unless you live in Crescent city
You can prolong reed life if you wet them and keep them in freezer bag with humidipack
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