Author: Wes
Date: 2008-12-23 19:47
Yes, I've found that reeds seem to get harder when stored for a long time. In my experience, this has been caused by the absorption of moisture over time. A few minutes under a desk lamp(60 watts) often will dry them out sufficiently. Of course, they must be wetted in order to play them, but the hardness is likely caused by moisture deeper inside the cane, including the unscraped part. If you are a player who soaks reeds until they are totally saturated before playing them, this may not be for you but I never soak them like that.
The absorption of moisture deep into the cane must be caused by daily variation of barometric pressure with the moisture deposited within the cane when pressure rises and left in the cane when the pressure lowers.
Moisture in apparently sealed spaces has been observed when tiny leaks are in the seal, due again to the daily variation of barometric pressure. I've personally removed a lot of water deposited from the air from almost sealed satellite antenna feeds in desert areas. Good luck and happy holidays!
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