 The Fingering Forum
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Author: Juliet
Date: 2001-03-15 20:48
I have been playing clarinet for many years. I recently started playing the tenor sax. I use Vandoren 3 for both clarinet and tenor. What I want to know, is if anyone out there has found a trick so that the reed stays wet long enough so you don't have to keep taking it off and resetting it after moistening it some more. I have been able to get through my 40 minute band rehearsals, but in jazz band, I find myself having to moisten the reed whenever someone else is playing a solo. Please help me if you can?
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-03-15 22:02
Cut a small piece of sponge to fit in the top of your mouthpiece cap. It should be just barely big enough to stay in place. A thin sponge works best as far as not taking up too much room. Wet the sponges before you set up. Then keep the cap on whatever instrument that you are not playing.
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Author: Kelly
Date: 2001-03-17 04:20
It's a good idea to seal the reed before you begin using it. One way of doing this is to dip it into a cup of water and then lay it on a piece of glass to dry several times before playing on it, or another way is to wipe oil onto the reed (i.e. some people have tried oil of ulan etc, but have aggreed that facial oil from your skin is the best- it sounds gross but it works). Sealing the reed helps prevent it from geting waterlogged or drying out too quickly, and so slows down the process of wearing out the wood so the reed lasts longer.
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Author: Aaron
Date: 2001-07-29 19:38
Hey, I also play the tenor sax and the clarinet. I found a reed that is much better than the Vandorans that maybe your teacher got you started on, or whatever. They are called "Plasticover", which they are made by Rico. You can most likely find them at a music store in town or something like that. You can ask your teacher about them, but I have found that teachers don't like them that well. But, playing with them for about 3 or 4 years now, I have found that they give a better sound quality also. They can last up to about half a year or longer, if you take care of them. They aren't like a normal reed, like Vandorans. They are made out of bambo instead of wood and they are coated with a thin layer of plasic. People may look at you weirdly at first, cause it's not a clear plastic. It's black. It may look weird at first, but trust me they work a whole lot better than Vandorans do. But, that's my opinion, i guess. Now that my teacher has heard my play with these reeds, she is beginning to like them a lot more. They might cost a little more than the Vandorans do, but IT'S WORTH IT.
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