 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BGBG
Date: 2015-05-03 01:14
Anyone have any experience with keeping reeds with bases in about half inch of 25% Listerine and lid on jar, or in jar with glass beads and water below level of reeds and lid on jar? Or does it really make any difference?
I have about a year experience with clarinet and do not play with band or group but as a hobbyist about half hour per day. Some say keep dry with a dip in water before play, and others soak 24/7. Lots of different recommendations.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-05-03 02:41
Like so many other questions that start with "Should I..." you'll get many different answers, many contradictory of each other, and it becomes clear that there is no single right answer that satisfies everyone. So, it comes down to your trying one way and then the other (or each of several variants if necessary) and discovering what makes you comfortable.
Ask the folks who recommend keeping reeds wet what the advantage is. Ask the same of those with an opposite opinion. Then choose where to start.
I think the basic choice is between keeping your reeds moist and letting them dry between uses. I wouldn't get involved, if I were you, in more technical variations (like Listerine or the glass beads) until you've decided the basic question - keep them humidified or not. Then, if you decide you like the way reeds respond to constant controlled humidity, you can experiment with all the approaches to doing it.
Karl
Post Edited (2015-05-03 07:06)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-05-03 03:09
On average though, I think many would opt to have their reeds perhaps in some humidity controlled environment but not actually IN water for storage. I have seen double reed players have the entire length of a group of reeds soaking prior to playing but that's not storage.
I have to link this again, perhaps the most detailed version of re-hydrating reeds (new, from a box). Most players I know use some version of this. Mark shows the Rico cases utilizing a humidity control pack inside. There is also at least one case on his desk sitting in a 'Baggies.'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y0Zv3EZ-Ms
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: BGBG
Date: 2015-05-03 06:49
I thought as much but thought I would ask. I have been using what I mentioned with 3 older reeds wet with bases in Listerine 1/2" in closed 6oz canning jar. These reeds are maybe 6 months old. 3 newer reeds in same type jar but plain water with glass beads to keep out of the water. Humid but not wet. All reeds are in Rico plastic cases they came in. I usually play on one for 15-30 minutes, then go to next, so rotate. They are 2 , 2.5, and 3 strengths. I still have good luch with the oldest reed, a wet 2 strength.
I did test them all and grade them as good, fair, poor. I try to read as much as I can and experiment. Thanks for info.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2015-05-03 08:29
Some of us cannot imagine keeping reeds in any liquid at all. They would get too stiff from swelling up and wouldn't vibrate freely, I feel. I would not even use a humidifier for reeds unless I lived in a desert. For me, that also applies to the oboe reeds which I soak very little. Good luck!
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Author: Wisco99
Date: 2015-05-03 10:12
Difficult question since there are many different flavors of Listerine, and the bottle I just bought no longer has alcohol in it, just some weird chemicals. Never buying that stuff again. Every musician has their own reed routine. What I did was soak my reeds in slightly warm tap water for about 30 seconds before a gig, and just put them back in the reed holder. I always brought at least 3 boxes of reed holders with me, 12 reeds. Tap water has a small amount of chlorine in it, and I found that helps keep the mold down better than distilled water.
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