 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BGBG
Date: 2015-11-22 02:30
I have read many YouTube videos about reed sanding for preparation but none seem to say if this is routine every playing session or only if problem or reed performs badly. These involve rubbing on a masonite clipboard to seal and polish, to sanding flat side with 220 to 600 or 1000 grit wet or dry. Seems like every time would be a bit much especially if no trouble. I would say only do if reed performs less well in one or two sessions, and was wondering if others agree. If reed is bad, stuffy, adn squawks I have found it helps but also found in some cases mouth and lips need tightening or fingering improved. Dont believe it is all in the need to sand. I play on 2 or 3 of 29 reeds each day until I go through all then repeat cycle. And keep notes on each, as one video suggested.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2015-11-22 02:37
If you sand for every play session you will end up with a strength 0.35 reed.
Once reed is played in and adjusted to correct strength no more material should be removed
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-11-22 03:48
The idea behind sanding the flat side is two fold. One: You want a flat surface so it seals well to the mouthpiece. Two: You want to seal the "pores" of the reed so that it becomes more resistant to change over time.
But as said above this is a one time treatment. Think of it like sanding a raw piece of wood before you paint it. Once it's smooth, you're good.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: BGBG
Date: 2015-11-22 05:05
Yeah...I thought you maybe would not do it often or every time. So there was no need to say that in the video.
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-11-22 05:07
I have to put my 2 cents worth in. I agree in principal that, once a reed is properly adjusted, you should be able to continue playing it through its useful life- whatever that is- without further modification.
But I have 2 minor counters to that. 1) Partially through that useful life, the reed may well slowly or suddenly shift on you, and you may find it helpful to readdress the new situation rather than concluding it's time to pitch it. I've revived many an old reed. Perhaps we differ on how much effort it's worth to attempt this. And 2) I find that just a hint of ATG sanding on the tip, with my finer paper, will markedly perk up a reed that on a given day seems disappointing. This has happened I guess a couple hundred times for me by now- so I know the drill. Minimum minimum MINIMUM sanding- and it works! I have to think I'm removing a trifling oxidized (?) layer of cells? Or some other mechanism, but the amount of material removed could not possibly affect stiffness, so I really don't understand it. But I do it anyway. I understand if you're skeptical, since it doesn't make a lot of sense. Just try it.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2015-11-22 07:01
Stan, glad you ordered the Classic's. You should be getting them anytime now. Email me or call me, I can call you as well, before adjusting any of them. You don't have to do much to them, if anything.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: BGBG
Date: 2015-11-22 08:35
That is what I was getting at, fsk, minimal sanding if and when indicated. I have taken some of the newer reeds, none played more than a few minutes like a few E3 to C6 scales and one song over 7 rotations,they sound questionable so I sand lightly maybe 3-4 strokes and they sound good again. Not about to go into reed repair business or start making rather than buying but want to build up a little knowledge and skill. Maybe if sounds worse than last time or compared to rest I would try another and a 3rd time then try to improve it. Decided to keep a tracking notebook and record number of playings and dates, humidity in room, reed bag, and case, and comments. Have guitars, mandolins, banjos but this is first clarinet and is so complex I have to approach it this way. So far I rate them Good, Fair, Poor, Bad and maybe a +, -, or G-F for example. I didnt originate but got all these tips from forums, videos, and web searches. Want to understand reeds I suppose.
Also find reeds in a folded plastic bag returns to around room temperature after a day. May need to add humidity or breathe in bag during the winter.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-11-22 17:30
BGBG wrote:
> Also find reeds in a folded plastic bag returns to around room
> temperature after a day. May need to add humidity or breathe in
> bag during the winter.
This caught my attention! Did you really mean "room temperature" or did you intend to say that the reeds return to room humidity? I doubt if, plastic bags or not, it takes more than a few minutes for a reed to return to room temperature after you finish playing it.
Karl
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-11-28 18:52
Hi Bob- thanks for the encouragement and advice. The Gonzalez Classics arrived a few days ago- 4 have 3 days breakin and the other 6 have 2 days. I am very happy with them and will be reporting on my other reed thread after another week or 2 of play.
However, I was not able to leave them alone. I must really need a low stiffness reed, for good or bad- that's how I play. I suppose #2 is the lowest grade you make, but a box of 1.5's would surely contain many that would be too soft and would need trimming. And trimming to stiffen is much less precise than sanding to soften, so I think it's better to work down than up. Out of the 10 #2's, I have left 3 untouched- they are just right. Another 4 or 5 I've sanded just a little bit (ATG techniques #2 and #3 side rails and ears only- trying to leave the tips alone!), and 2 or 3 needed a bit more. Now all 10 are very similar in feel.
I am very glad for my year+ of experience using ATG- I'm sure I have gummed up a boatload of reeds as I've learned. But even with this latest box of VERY CONSISTENT and NICE PLAYING Classics (pretty sure best I've ever tried)- it would not be fun to just have to play them as they come to me.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
Post Edited (2015-11-28 19:46)
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