 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Alta
Date: 2002-03-11 20:33
I've been playing now for about a year and a half and have always had some trouble with reeds, as it seems everyone has. Anyway, I use Vandoren V12's 4 and that strength is just perfect for me to start with. But my reeds always seem to go soft really quickly. Could there be something that I'm doing that causes my reeds to become very soft? I'm working on lightening up my lip pressure - could that cause it? During the winter, I put several reeds in water and leave them there so they're ready in case I need another one during a lesson or rehearsal. Could I be oversoaking them, causing them to go soft?
Sometimes, they even go soft on me right as I'm playing. Any ideas as to what I could be doing wrong? Thanks for the help.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-03-11 22:23
Try soaking you reeds in water only for the first playtest--and then, only until you can see the butt of the reed becoming moist. After that, and before playing, rub the face of the reed with your forefinger to close the pores (xylem) and prevent too much saturation. After playing, re-rub with the forefinger before storing on a flat surface to dry. For this I use a Harrison reedholder which has a plate of glass inside. From this point on, use only saliva to moisten the reed before use--in your mouth for about two minutes should do. Then, before playing, rub the face to reseal the pores. If you do adjustments with sandpaper, reed rush or knife, to the face of the reed, re-rub after each adjustment to close the newly opened xylem. After playing, rub it down again so that the pores dry sealed. Do this each time you play and your reeds should remain more consistant throughout your performance. They may also last longer. Another thing about selecting reeds to play--start with reeds that may seem a bit too hard at first--perhaps one-half strength or so. Then, when they "soften down" they will be the exact strength you need. Hope this helps a bit--Good Clarineting!!!!!!!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-03-11 22:26
I would reassess your reed prep technique.
I (and many others) have written about the techniques and methods we use in breaking in new reeds(soaking/sanding/polishing/balancing/...etc...)
A search on this board will provide some alternative ideas which should prove most helpful...GBK
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-03-11 23:57
William posted the pertinent info as I was writing. His techniques are similar to mine, and if followed should help you a great deal.
Be very careful not to oversoak the reeds when first trying them (a common error - in which the damage is often irreversable)...GBK
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2002-03-12 04:22
Paint (transparent, maybe) nail manicure on the but end. It avoids capillary water absorption in the direction of cane fiber.
I knew this at the Klarinet mailing list several years ago.
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-03-12 13:00
I would certainly agree with William about reed preparation. One thing to add, however. When you rub the reeds hold them on a flat surface as you do it, to keep the reed as flat as possible always, and to prevent damage.
My impression is that V12's suffer from change in use more than ordinary Vandorens. Anyone else agree?
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Author: Suzanne
Date: 2002-03-13 21:23
Make sure you are breaking in the reeds slowly--play it only a little bit when it is new, maybe 30 seconds the first day, adding another 30 seconds or so each day. The slower I break my reeds in, the longer they last, and the less likely they are to change (go soft). If you play it too long before it is ready, it will waterlog and the reed will tire out quickly.
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