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Re: Do reeds ever de-warp?

Author: TomS
Date: 2021-02-11 10:30

I can't name the person or company, but a few years ago a clarinetist who was also a medical researcher or something (he was perhaps, an MD or Phd) embarked on a journey to find out why reeds go bad and/or wear out. You can find the interview on the Clarineat podcast from about 3-4 years ago ... so I may be remembering some details wrong ...

Apparently this guy or guys had some rather sophisticated facilities to assist in their research. Anyway, after a considerable amount of work, they concluded that the two factors that influence reed stability/warping and life were: 1. allowing the reed to dry out after use and 2. bacteria

They make a little reed carrier that has a sponge that you soak in Listerine mouthwash. This keeps the reeds damp and the alcohol kills the bacteria.

My house is all electric with very dry heat ... and reeds if left out to dry will often warp.

What sense does it make to wet and dry reeds over many cycles? A reed has to be used damp, so why not maintain that state?

Also, Richie Hawley maintains that you should never let the reed dry out, it always needs to be kept in a somewhat humid environment. You can find that on another episode on the Clarineat podcast.

And, occasionally I will run into someone that will ditto this notion.

I think I have affirmed their research myself, as I've had much fewer reed problems in the last year or so ...

Give it a try!

Tom

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