Author: jhoyla
Date: 2007-12-17 11:01
Traditionally, people have used goldbeaters' skin, or "fishskin" as it is sometimes incorrectly called, to seal their reeds. My first teacher would actually get gummed goldbeaters' skin from a bookbinder and use that. [Gold leaf is made by beating a small quantity of gold until it is extremely thin, layering it with a thin but strong membrane made from a cow's blind intestine]. This stuff is difficult to handle and quite expensive.
I had a head-slapping moment about twenty years ago watching a master-class with Maurice Bourge, when I saw him quickly seal a reed with what looked like tape. On closer inspection, I saw that it was a narrow roll of cling-film ("saran-wrap" if you are from the US). Once back home, I bought a fresh roll of cling-film, cut it into 11-12mm wide rolls with a razor, and used the one that came out best.
I'm still using that roll today. I wrap first round the thread, wrap up and round the base of the reed-blades (no more than two turns here) and back onto the thread, were I pull it tight to break it. It works perfectly every time, and when it begins slipping/unwrapping, I take it off and replace it with a fresh wrapping.
This is not an expensive experiment, I think you'll agree - give it a try!
|
|
The Oboe BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
