Author: TomS
Date: 2014-08-17 09:07
Ditto on "not soaking the butt end" of a reed. I've have a lot less problems by only "soaking" the vibrating part of the reed, and only for about 5-10 seconds at a time and only (at least when possible) in lukewarm tap water.
When breaking in reeds at home, I always wet with water, never soaking in my mouth. When playing in a rehearsal or concert, I try to have a little pill bottle of water at my side.
Initial soaking with plain water will dilute additional moisture provided by saliva during playing, reducing it's digestive effects, and making the reed last longer.
As far as warping, if normal balancing adjustments don't seem to be satisfactory, I may sand the flat side of the reed in a figure-8 pattern lightly on 800 grit sandpaper. Test it again and see if it helps, if not, sit the reed aside and maybe try it again in a few days ... I don't like to mess with the flat side of the reed ... Some warped reeds may play good ... it depends on how and where it is warped and how the warp interfaces with the MP table.
I don't try to seal the pores of the cut portions of the reeds. It seems that this thins the sound ... Heresy?!
Since I lost my reed cutter, I can't clip the tip, but this had limited success in the past.
Some recommend, especially when hand making reeds, soaking the blanks in your saliva, repeatedly and during the cutting process. Better results would be realized by using water?
Also, the notion of brushing teeth and rinsing mouths before playing seems good ... it may reduce blowing food particles into the MP, especially jamming bits between the reed and MP facing. Gross!
I spend a fraction of the time on reed rituals nowadays than in years past ... could be that modern science is producing better products? Most time is spent in balancing left-right resistance, and this is checked, adjusted and re-adjusted throughout the breaking in process. Not more than 1-2 minutes are required per reed.
And, rinse your reeds after playing and dry them by rubbing lightly between the thumb and index finger. Then dry them for a little while, bark down, before returning them to a nice flat surface in your reed cases.
One guy's opinion ... your mileage may vary.
Tom
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