 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: howard miner
Date: 2002-02-19 23:34
I would like to save favorite reed(s) for special occasions. Is it best not to use them for normal practice, or will their quality deteriorate with age regardless of the usage?
How long will the average reed last?
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Author: SWTClarinet
Date: 2002-02-20 05:09
Don't play on it too much and too often. I've talked to my teacher Dr. Pino, who's said he's made about 132 reeds since he began making his own. Also, a reed knife, plate glass, reed trimmer and a good protective case will help in preserving a reed. I'm pretty sure Dr. Pino still has reeds a few years old he can still play on.
My two hundredthes of a dollar's worth
Jose
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Author: George
Date: 2002-02-20 12:30
One thing that has helped me a lot is to soak the reed in hydrogen peroxide for a few minutes (while you swab out) after each use. This at least inhibits mold growth and should deactivate salivary enzymes. It also seems to stabilize the fibers, although the latter may be wishful thinking. Use regular drug store peroxide - it is not particularly toxic (dentists recommend it as a mouthwash) and in any event, it vanishes completely when the reed dries.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2002-02-21 00:20
1)Sanitize it with ReedLife when you start to break it in.
If you use hydrogen peroxide 5% solution, it is necessary to
dilute it with water to make it 2-3% density.
2)Give it at least two days rest after using it.
3)After using it, you will wash it. But I would not keep it in a sealed reed holder. This is because every time I hold my favorite reeds in a sealed reed holder a few to several months, I experience they become somewhat numb. Does they need 'fresh air'? I wonder.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-02-21 10:58
Dont get too precious about reeds at all. Buy a box and try them all. Find the soft and hard reeds for different purposes and try to adjust the duds. If you need to go to extreme lengths such as bleach (peroxide) to keep the reeds clean they are probably too old. You should learn to play on a variety of reeds not just the same one they dont last forever so what are you going to do when your favourite eventually dies. Be prepared!
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Author: beejay
Date: 2002-02-21 13:05
Rubbing the back on plain paper until they shine seems to help. Don't ask me why.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-02-21 15:02
The chances are slim...
If the reed has been properly broken in / conditioned/ sealed / stabilized/ etc...the probability is better.
However, unless you can guarantee that all the other external factors (humidity, weather) will be identical, I would suggest having at least a few back up reeds of concert quality.
Some players feel that reeds reach their peak and stabilize after a break in period of 3 - 5 days.
Personally, I would also start getting a new reed prepared in the week prior (just in case).
In know that there are others who will say they have had reeds "last" for 6 months or more. Not for me - as I prefer a newly prepared reed every time.
If you do decide to take a chance and save your current best reed for a special occasion, I would suggest to play on it briefly and bring it slowly back to life at least 24 hours before you need it...GBK
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Author: sylvain
Date: 2002-02-22 04:37
Reeds again...
I have to agree with Mark Pinner. I have always about 10 reeds on me and force myself to never play the same reed twice in a row. Of course if I have an important gig coming up, I'll go through the 10 reeds and pick the one I like best.
This "technique" has allowed me to not get to concerned about reeds in general and have a much more flexible embouchure. I feel I don't need that one and only special reed to make me sound good (alright, i should say make me sound ok...)
So practice hard and don't get to emotional about your current best reed. It'll have to go to the trash eventually ;->
-S
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Author: George
Date: 2002-02-22 12:42
Re: Hiroshi's comment about diluting peroxide. USA "drugstore" peroxide is 3%, so I would agree that 5% should be diluted in half or so.
It is so easy to forget that customs differ between countries.
George
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