 The Doublers BBoard
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2012-01-03 20:32
To have a reed that is instantly available to play some consider synthetics. This often because of tone differences and/or MPCs can be unacceptable.
I double on a sax and I want to be able to pick up an instrument to play and not find the reed is dry. Also I don`t case my clarinet during the day and want to be able to pick it up and play it several times during the day (I`m retired).
The answer for me is so simple. (This must have been thought of by others but can find no reference).
I make a little sleeve out of heavy, soft material about 3cm long and sufficient in diam to fit into the protective MPC cap. I seal the holes/or hole at the cap end (putty, silicone sealer, what ever). I then wet the sleeve with a blend of water and 10% gin. Would have liked to use Listerene or something with a nice smell but could`nt find the bottle.
When the cap is then put on, the reed never sticks or dries out & neither does the sleeve. I don`t suggest leaving the cap on all the time because of the need to clean the MPC. but just out of interest I`ve left it on for a week and the reed still p[lays straight away and there is no evidence of mold or odour apart from the trace of gin smell.
This will do me.
Thought you might be interested, the experiment continues.
Ronish
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-01-04 01:22
Interesting, would be cool to bring this to the clarinet board, they seem more responsive.
Would be good, especially on those 7 instrument shows.
I don't know how accepting your bandmates would be of the smells of alcohol.
I wonder the long term effect of wet reeds on the cane.
Good work, keep updating your observations.
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Author: oboesax
Date: 2012-01-04 02:55
Interesting. Although you might not want to try it when playing in a high school pit orchestra.
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2012-01-04 07:44
Hang on a minute guys the sleeve would have on it no more than a ml. of liquid. The gin has abut 35%V alcohol, that means my solution used has 3.5% alcohol, so my one ml will have 0.035ml. of alcohol. Microscopic.
Maybe what I was smelling was not the reed, sleeve, cap combination but residual odor from my sampling of the bottle to see if it was Beefeater and not bottled water.
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-01-04 16:52
Remind me not to ask for a bottle of water when I come over Sorry, just kidding.
In truth though, it's just a good idea not to have alcohol in a professional situation, no matter to what extent. It's a tough business, and there's no reason to have anyone have any doubt whatsoever. It could be a make or break thing.
That being said, maybe there's another solution that's not as socially offensive? Maybe hydrogen peroxide or some other alcohol solution not used to get drunk? I like the idea, I played 4 reed instruments last show, and going to Bass Clarinet after 30 minutes on soprano sax and clarinet is always scary.
Like I said, keep up the good work.
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Author: oboesax
Date: 2012-01-04 17:55
What affect does the alcohol have on the reed (does it disintegrate over time)? Have you tried it on a double reed? I'm wondering if this could help out the oboe player who doubles.
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Author: Ronish
Date: 2012-01-04 18:56
'In truth though, it's just a good idea not to have alcohol in a professional situation, no matter to what extent. It's a tough business, and there's no reason to have anyone have any doubt whatsoever. It could be a make or break thing.
That being said, maybe there's another solution that's not as socially offensive''
I don`t believe it, you must be joking. We are talking 1/3 of 1. drop of ethanol. If Listerine is used, you dip the sleeve into 25% ethanol!
Oboesax (Hi) If you quadrupled the alcohol conc. it would still have no effect on your reed.
Appreciate your comments.
Ronish.
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-01-04 22:57
Well, I'm not saying I'm the one that would have an opinion for or against, I just know there's bound to be a person that does, and I'm not a gambler. I take this profession seriously, and I wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong idea. Also, I couldn't recommend it to anyone under 21, as they cannot buy the liquor, and I don't agree with having them go through their parent's liquor cabinet.
I know it's crazy, I'm 28, I should love the though of alcohol mixed with music, but I don't believe it's a good idea. I don't consider my opinion the best or only, just my own. Other opinions will differ. I'm appreciative of that.
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Author: alanporter
Date: 2012-05-03 23:35
Ernest Ferron, in his book called "The Clarinet Revealed", says that reeds that have been soaked in salt water are always ready to play. I have not tried this myself since I only use Legere synthetic reeds. Perhaps one of you could try it and let us know the result.
tiaroa@shaw.ca
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Author: Wes
Date: 2012-11-08 05:50
If you have your whiskey in a round bottle, don't knock it over at the gig and let it roll across the dance floor at an affair in a church hall, as I observed a while ago.
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-11-09 21:35
Haha,
Amazing story Wes! If you care to elaborate on what happened next it would greatly amuse me.
Drew S
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