Author: jhoyla
Date: 2007-12-17 20:24
WARNING: IF YOU ARE A REED PURIST, STOP READING NOW!
Okay - you're still reading, so here are some really dirty tricks for getting your reed back, once all else is lost.
1. There are times when you may need to re-tie a (partially) finished reed:
i. It could have been tied too loosely in the first place
ii. It may be severely leaky
iii. The staple may be set at an angle to cane, either vertically or rotationally
iv. The thread may unravel too far to be stuck down
How can you perform this dastardly deed? With cling-film, of course!
Wrap ALL of the exposed cane TIGHTLY with cling-film, leaving the end LOOSE (you will want to take this off when the re-wrap is finished). Unwrap the thread and re-wrap as usual, but with the modification you need: the correct angle, more cane on the staple etc.
Since the reed has been tied on once it will want to keep its old configuration. In particular, it will resist wrapping higher up the cane than before by "slipping" the thread down as you wrap higher. Use more wraps before you wrap across - say five or six - and you should be okay. And CHECK the angles this time!
Once you have re-tied, tightly, straight, and with no leaks, you can unwrap your reed.
2. You are just before a concert, your best reed has closed completely, and you left your hydrogen peroxide at home (this works, BTW).
What to do, what to do?
Put your mandrel into the staple, then pull it back about 8 mm. Now with your pliers, squeeze the staple through the thread on both sides, evenly, about 2-3 mm down from the cane. You should be squeezing ON the blades, where the spine would extend to. This opens the blades. Don't go too far! You need it to open just enough, no more. MARK THIS STAPLE, and throw it away afterwards - it will never tie a decent reed again, but you will be able to get through your concert.
3. Your perfect reed is too flat - the piano is tuned to 442. You REALLY don't want to clip and scrape just before a concert! What can be done?
Take some emery/glass/sand-paper, and shorten the staple at the bottom until your pitch is high enough. Mark the staple and throw it away once the reed is dead.
I have to admit that it is now years since I had to resort to tricks like these, but they were very useful in a pinch, in my callow youth. I'll leave the rubber-band, beeswax, cigarette-paper and cigarette-lighter fixes for another time.
J.
Post Edited (2007-12-17 20:27)
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