 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: David Stringer
Date: 2002-03-26 19:15
I am an absolute beginner. I guy I worked with once indicated his helper and said "I taught him everything I know, and he still knows nothing"
I sort of feel like that about reeds. I have read a lot, and even sanded and shaved (myself, and the reeds). I still feel like I'm missing some basics.
Before I practice, I stick two of my four working reeds into a shot glass with water while I assemble the clarinet. How long is good to soak... a minute? Fifteen? I put two in so that I can choose the one that likes me the most that day. Does the extra wetting and drying do damage to the one(s) that I soak and do not use?
I'm sure I'll think of more things that I don't know in a day or two...
Thanks in advance,
David
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-03-26 20:05
Hi David....I was that helper! Before I read anything about soaking reeds(that was about 60 years ago) I used to just put it in my mouth for awhile. Now that I've read a lot about the subject I still do that...
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-03-26 20:40
More has been written about the breaking in, preparation, and adjustment of new reeds than practically any other clarinet equipment matter, with the possible exception of mouthpieces.
Every clarinetists has their own personal routine - one that they eventually discover through trial and error. This can be based on climate in a certain part of the country, weather, humidity, the phases of the moon, high tides, what side of the bed one gets out of in the morning, etc...
It just takes experimentation with different methods to see which is the most convenient, and successful for you.
One basic tenet: when first breaking in new reeds, do not oversoak them. New reeds that initially get too water logged may incur irreversable damage as to their eventual playability.
Slow, steady breaking in is always the best procedure...GBK
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-03-26 21:19
I'd have to agree with Bob - I normally put the reed in my mouth, and by the time I've got the clarinet assembled and the music on the stand - it's ready to tootle.
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Author: dave
Date: 2002-03-26 21:34
Don't overthink this. Just put the reed in your mouth and completly soak it. If you're having trouble it may be your mouthpiece or type of reed. As a beginner you really need to have the proper equipment. Experiment with different types of reeds and strenghts of reeds.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2002-03-26 21:38
David -
You soak the reed until the "washboard" wiggles disappear from the tip. This usually takes 4 to 5 minutes. The reed is practically unplayable before then. The eyeball test is what counts, not the clock.
Soaking and drying is more likely to help than hurt a reed. I wouldn't worry about it.
There's LOTS more. Take it slowly and ask more questions.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-03-26 23:37
When the wiggles show up I press the tip lightly to the lay and press it with my thumb(the other one!). Hey Diz, does that make you speechless...gday
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-03-26 23:39
Bob...Yes!!
1 Diz + 1 reed in mouth = 1 speechless Diz
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-03-27 00:57
When the reed is soaked for a long time, the longitudinal fibers expand and seem to make it a little stiffer. A few seconds in saliva is all I find necessary. Too much soaking of an oboe reed can likely make it open up to where it cannot be played at all.
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Author: David Stringer
Date: 2002-03-27 01:17
OK. So we've eliminated the "soaking them all night" method. Just kidding. It's interesting how many people with the same objective get there on different paths! Good stuff. Thanks.
David
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-03-27 14:28
I have learned how to breath through my mouth while playing but not how to talk. Guess playing the diggereedoo helps develop that ability......just kidding,of course. On a serious note, there is evidently something in the xylums or whatever those things are called that gets washed out after awhile. I have thought that it might be possible to "evacuate" the "tubes" in a new reed and then fill them with something so that the reed would last much longer. Any thoughts Down Under?
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2002-03-27 16:57
Well, not that your mention it - I soak my new reeds in ReedLife (which I sell) and the humectants (at least IMHO) keep the reed in better physical condition (I won't go into the chemistry because it gets pretty complex and proprietary) and allows the reed to retain moisture for a longer period of time between rehydration times and buffers the amount of moisture (prevents over soaking) which the reed absorbs. One overriding reason for my use of the product is that I get it free! Before free I just put the reed in my mouth - after removing the foot that was invariably found there.
The Doctor
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-03-27 17:22
Thanks Doc and I can appreciate your keeping the ingredient(s) in your pocket. But doesn't that humus get smelly? Free is always better too.
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