 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Nathan
Date: 2002-09-03 21:48
I just received my pack of 3.25 Gonzalez FOF reeds from the Davie Cane Co. I can't wait to try them out tomorrow.
I have always just played on Vandoren traditional 3's and have never "prepped" my reeds. Is there anything special I should do to these new reeds in order to prepare them to play their best? Is there a method to breaking them in? (soaking, sanding, bending, etc?)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-09-03 23:00
Nathan... Just one person's experience:
My reed prep and adjustment time has been <b>significantly</b> reduced using the Gonzalez reeds. Aside from the fact that I feel that (at this particular time) Gonzalez cane is the highest quality cane being sold today, the most welcome surprise has been the very little "fussing" that it takes to get the reeds to where I feel they are ready for public performance.
I would advise (as with all reeds) break them in slowly, being careful not to over soak or overplay them during the first week. Seal the vamp and make sure the back of the reed is absolutely flat, and you should be just about ready to go. Occasionally, I will rebalance the tip - but by far a lot less frequently than I ever did with Vandorens. As I always found the old Morré reeds fit my set-up perfectly, the Gonzalez reeds fit the same way.
Every clarinetist develops a break in and adjustment procedure that works for them. Definitely read some of the standard texts, glean some ideas from the bulletin board, and use some of your "practice" reeds to experiment on and see how different adjustments affect the reed's response.
Remember, it's only a piece of wood -don't let it take over your life. Spend the time saved on yourself...GBK
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Author: Nathan
Date: 2002-09-03 23:18
Thanks, GBK. One question: what does "seal the vamp" mean and how can one "oversoask" a reed"?
Thanks a lot.
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-09-03 23:34
Thank you Nathan for asking. I would have but folks think I'm old enough to know!!
Bob A
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-09-04 00:15
Sealing the vamp (the part of the reed which has been cut by machine) is essential to close the open pores which (if left alone) will continue to absorb water and lead to a shortened life for the reed.
Some techniques for sealing the vamp are: using a moistened finger to rub the reeds from the initial cut to the tip, or using plain white paper to rub the reed. I also flatten and seal the back of the reed as well.
I only use saliva to break in new reeds. Some players prefer to soak them in a small beaker of water or a used 35mm film canister filled with water. Whichever method you use, I would advise against keeping the reed from soaking too long. (For me, I only soak them for about a minute). After a few days (3 - 5 days) of initial wetting, the reeds should be stabilized and ready to take on any small adjustments.
Remember, no two players will exactly agree on their reed prep methods. The above is just one possible method - try a few, decide on the easiest...GBK
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Author: JackOrion
Date: 2002-09-04 05:37
I'm experimenting with a different way of sealing the reed. So far it has worked great. I have just started to do this so only time will tell.
If you suck on a new reed you can feel the air pulling through the pores. Lick the whole vamp and tip then turn it around and blow through the back. You'll see bubbles where air is escaping. What I have started to do is to lick the vamp turn it around and suck your saliva into the reed. Turn the reed around again and suck the vamp section pulling the moisture out. Do this a couple of times and you'll feel the reed sealing.
Like I said I haven't been doing this long enough to say if it shortens the reeds life but then again no two reeds will last the same so it's going to be hard to tell. What I do like about this method is it is very easy to do. You just have to experiment.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-09-04 13:46
New reeds seem to have a sweet taste that I am inclined to think must be starch or sugar. My gut feeling is that this stuff must be removed and replaced with either nothing or something that won't dissolve in saliva. If replaced with nothing then the reed reaches a steady state when being played in which the air spaces become filled with saliva and...over time...the reed becomes "water logged" i.e. the cell walls lose their resiliency. I suppose there are all kinds of substances that could be used to "varnish" the reed. Just a theory.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-09-04 15:32
Regarding different methods of sealing the vamp, that remineded me of the period during my college years that all of us clarinet majors tried sealing our reeds with talcom powder. For about two semesters, we all packed little canisters of the powder in our cases and suffered from "cotton mouth" each time we played or practiced. "White" reeds were the "in thing!" Also slippery keys. I think I was the first to return the use of talc to its original intent and rediscover the "forefinger" approach to sealing vamps.
I still seal the vamps (clarinet and sax) every time before and after playing, but also seal the backs of new reeds with similar finger action. Like everyone says, it prolongs and stabilizes the reeds performance and should be a part of every clarinetists (and sax players) routine.
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Author: Nathan
Date: 2002-09-04 22:22
Thanks everyone for the replies. I wondered if the air coming through the pores of the reed when sucking were the result of the vamp not being seeled on a new reed. Thanks again.
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-09-05 00:50
Yes, Larry - in fact - further discussion on REEDS should be BANNED without the postees (is gramattically correct??) proving that they've done copious searches on the topic first!!!
joking, of course
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Author: JackOrion
Date: 2002-09-05 01:21
You could always try dipping your reeds in Paul Newmans oil and vinagar dressing. The oil would seal the reed and the vinagar would taiste.....well if you like fish and chips, kind of good. Just stay away from garlic dressings.
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Author: tim k
Date: 2002-09-05 18:53
Short description for reed prep: "soak 'n' stroke."
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Author: Sneakers
Date: 2002-09-05 19:28
Nathan - How long did it take to get your reeds? I have been waiting impatiently for a week for mine. Meanwhile, I am planning a bonfire with all the untrustworthy reeds I currently own.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-09-05 19:54
Sneakers...Phil Shapiro told me (yesterday) that Davie Cane has been totally sold out of many Gonzalez strengths for the past few weeks. A new shipment is arriving within the next day or so and orders will then go out...GBK
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Author: Vic
Date: 2002-09-05 20:27
I recently ordered some Gonzalea FOFs from WoodwindBrasswind and received them in about 4 days. Maybe I was just lucky, I don't know.
Vic
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2002-09-06 01:05
Large mailorder companies keep supplies on hand and they have a pretty good history to tell them which strengths to stock the most. If you can not get them from one company check around with the bigger reed supply houses (if the prices are not outrageous) and you may find one that has a supply in the strength that you want for immediate shipment - or just order a gross of boxes and you will have a lifetime supply!
The Doctor
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Author: Jim S.
Date: 2002-09-06 05:31
Greg Smith suggested a bit ago, for someone who found reeds sogging out to quickly, to use finger and nose oil.
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Author: Keil
Date: 2002-09-06 21:12
i think people would be more inclined to do searches if the search engine were faster... that's all
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Author: Todd Wees
Date: 2002-09-06 22:04
Keil --
I don't find the searches to be that slow. I guess this is like the difference between the conventional oven and the microwave. We used to wait an hour for a hot dinner and now a minute and a half is too long! Imagine searching for the information that's on this BB in a conventional library (or libraries) before computers. (And a lot of the knowledge/wisdom contained herein would not even be available at a library.)
Todd W.
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Author: Nathan
Date: 2002-09-07 03:05
Sneakers,
I received my reeds in 2 days because I live in Georgia and the Davie Cane Co. is in southern Florida. I ordered a box of strength 3.25.
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Author: Sneakers
Date: 2002-09-07 23:47
I called Davie Cane and they were on back order and had arrived the day I called. I should have them on Monday.
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