 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: smill01
Date: 2024-02-22 03:25
Is anyone else having a problem with little drops of saliva building up under the Legere reeds? Seems to give a bit of gurgling in the tone. A fellow bandmate has the same problem. Cane reeds absorb the moisture? Any workaround?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-02-22 04:00
No moisture absorption…… they’re plastic. All reeds gather moisture (mostly NOT saliva) beneath them. This moisture has nothing to do with your sound. That is the vamp portion of the reed, and your use of air.
………….Paul Aviles
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2024-02-22 07:15
I find that when I practice on my Legere I do wind up taking it off and wiping the back from time to time. Not with the wood.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-02-22 08:29
The difference is that with cane there is some absorption of the moisture, and you cannot see it through the reed.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: NOLA Ken
Date: 2024-02-22 23:25
I've had this problem with all Legere reeds. I've taken to keeping a dollar bill in my pocket. From time to time I just slide it under the reed to clear out the moisture. I do also end up taking the reed off and wiping it more often than I do cane, but the dollar bill trick cuts down on the frequency of doing that.
In the beginning I tried cigarette paper, but it just disintegrates under the reed and makes a mess.
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Author: NOLA Ken
Date: 2024-02-24 02:30
I'm not a germ-a-phobe. That's my wife. 
If that's something that bothers you, don't do it.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-02-24 03:25
.......and I thought we were talking about UNDER the parts of the reed that lie ON the mouthpiece, not the "facing."
..............Paul Aviles
P.S. It's only gross if you use anything under a $50
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Author: NOLA Ken
Date: 2024-02-24 06:29
For the sake of clarity: the problem I encounter is that moisture begins to collect between the rails and the reed beginning at the back of the window and progressing toward the tip. It never gets to the tip, usually at most a third of the way up. But if I don't clear it out every now and then it does eventually begin to gurgle a bit. Sometimes simply blowing through the side will suffice to clear the moisture out. A bit of moisture collects between the reed and the table just behind the window, but that never presents any problem for me.
Here's one that should get a chuckle: For awhile I mitigated the problem somewhat by gargling with a very astingent mouthwash before playing a Legere. (We have something here called Dr. Tichenor's that one mixes 1 to 5 with water. Undiluted it's a decent antiseptic. Just don't get pulled over for a breath test after using it.) It dries the mouth out and actually seem to reduce the amount of moisture buildup under the reed, at least for awhile.
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Author: Julian ibiza
Date: 2024-02-24 14:55
Another trick for reducing saliva production in the mouth is apparently grape juice because of its tannins..... but that has sticky sugars, so it's probably better to have them fermented out first and then just bring a little side table and German crystal wine glass to concerts and have a Wine Waiter glide in periodically with a white cloth over his arm and refill your glass. In France any doctor would write a prescription for that as treatment for a medical condition.( Wine waiters in France are public health care employees).
Legeres may trap more moisture.... but they don't stain purple. LOL
Julian Griffiths
Tel. 34 696 798 853
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Author: NOLA Ken
Date: 2024-02-25 19:25
Hunter 100 wrote:
<Gross! You realize how many germs are on paper currency?>
This morning I discovered a couple of dollar bills in the bottom of the washing machine after running a load. I then ironed them (heat steralization?). Think I'll use these to clear the moisture under my Legere reeds. Does this satisfy people?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-02-26 00:16
Now you're laundering money. Do the heinous acts never end?
:-)
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2024-02-26 10:28
Why not try the following?
How about using three inch sections of paper towels?
There's a brand that begins with "B" that is advertised as being the most absorbent and you can tear off a one-third section of a full sheet.
Then just use scissors and cut off 3" sections and keep them in your case.
This brand is advertised as being ultra absorbent. Although not advertised as being germ free, I strongly suspect that it is and, because of its softness, will most likely leave a slight impression on the surface area after use so when you need to use it again, you will most likely "see" where it was last used and then simply use a different portion of the 3" segment.
Different paper towels have different surface textures...some are smooth and some are rather rough. The softer ones most likely will not only absorb more moisture but will also most likely leave a slight impression after use. (I suggest sliding your thumb or finger against the reed with sufficient pressure to not only help with the absorption process but also to assist in leaving a slight impression.)
Just a suggestion...
Post Edited (2024-02-26 11:33)
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Author: Julian ibiza
Date: 2024-02-26 12:44
I like the laundered bank note idea.... but I think that $100 bills would work better than $1 dollar . You can't buy paper towel with " In God we trust" printed on it, which leaves you just relying on the laws of physics.
But in all seriousness, I think NOLA's idea is a very good one. Bank notes are slim , not too floppy and will not disintegrate when wet .
Julian Griffiths
Tel. 34 696 798 853
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