 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: soggychicken
Date: 2007-12-16 03:44
My reeds have been driving me crazy since I got my new mouthpiece. They seem to warp a lot more than with my old M30. I am getting fed up having to spend more time messing with them than practicing. I noticed the following two patterns:
1) They warp lengthwise while I am playing. If I put them face down on a piece of glass, there is a pretty noticeable arch. I try various ways to flatten them, but they become warped again after another 10 to 15 mins of playing. The sound and response gets noticeably worse as I suspect it's losing seal with the mouthpiece.
2) The rails of the reeds warp upwards, so that when I polish the bottom of the reed with a file only the center of the reed gets shiny.
I store my reeds in a case with a glass plate. I usually make sure I squeeze the moisture out of them before I put them away.
Is this a problem with the table on my mouthpiece not being flat? I got some general tips about storage and break-in process from other topics, but am wondering if those from dry climates can share tips on controlling warping.
Post Edited (2007-12-16 03:46)
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2007-12-16 08:04
Take your mpc and put it against a flat surface - such as taking a razor blade up against the table (at various angles) with a light source behind it. If the light is seen between the razor blade and table it will give you a good representation of what is wrong with it.
But if your reeds (and you) played fine before and now nothing works I'd say that's probably a tell tale sign that your mpc table is discombabulated (ie, convex or warped)
i'm also assuming you haven't changed reeds and the reeds are fairly consistent, lig, embouchure, et all too
Do the reeds react properly on your old M30 ?
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-12-16 12:24
Reeds change a lot at different times of the year. My advice is to have a different batch of reeds for different seasons.
Save these 'bad' reeds and use them next spring/summer. They will probably work again. Get some new reeds- maybe a bit harder than yot usually buy- and they should be your 'winter set'.
For me, it's opposite. I can't find any good reeds in summer, but just about everything works in winter months.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2007-12-16 14:53
It may not be the mouthpiece. It may be the fact that this time of year, with heating and dryness, reeds will tend to need more break in and will also warp in this fashion. You can get a flat bastard file in a hardware store and take this raised section (the warp) out.
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2007-12-16 16:52
Maybe, but check the mpc with the Morgan mpc kit to determine the quality of the facing, or, try another mpc. I would also try a plastic reed, such as a Legere.
richard smith
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2007-12-17 08:08
I recently was playing tenor sax in a show. The low notes were unresponsive. The guy next to me handed me his ligature.....bicycle inner tube....strip. I wrapped it around and voila the mouthpiece sealed. I made sure I was wrapping pretty high to start. You can experiment with extremes...going over the vamp of the reed or beak of moutpiece...whatever it takes to make the reed seal. If your reed is warping on the mouthpiece then the ligature might be something to consider. Are you using a mouthpiece cap when not playing? I'm not sure the inner tube is the best lig but it will sound better than any lig that is not making the reed seal. I would use it when sealing is a problem. Good Luck
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: soggychicken
Date: 2007-12-26 20:21
Sorry for neglecting this thread, I have been caught up with holiday stuff.
Just to make sure that I have been breaking my reeds properly, I started a couple of new reeds and made sure that I only play 5-10 mins for the first few days. I gradually use them more and more until I get to 20 mins on the 5th day.
Unfortunately they are still warping like there's no tomorrow. After I play each day, I squeeze the moisture out of them with my fingers and leave them upside down on my desk.
I am now using water to wet my reeds before I play (I usually use saliva). This seems to help them straighten themselves out but he warp comes back when I start playing.
I notice the reed is usually pretty dry when I'm playing, especially on the vamp. Could this be causing the problem?
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Author: Ed
Date: 2007-12-26 20:36
You might try to use a reed case such as the Reed Mate
http://www.muncywinds.com/product.php?productid=416&cat=0&page=1
it is inexpensive and works very well.
or perhaps the Rico product
http://www.muncywinds.com/product.php?productid=782&cat=0&page=1
That may aid in keeping your reeds at a more regular humidity level and prevent them from drying too quickly. This can often lead to warpage during the dry months. At the very least, keeping the reeds in a ziplok bag or tupperware style container with a damp sponge may help.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-12-26 22:25
I like the vitalizer a lot better than the reedmate which I used back in the 80's. Don't get the top humidity as that to me was way too wet to store a reed in, I use the 73% one.
I'm an Artist for the company, but that's by choice not bribery.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2007-12-26 23:35
Dumb question, but are you wetting the whole reed or just the top (vamp and tip) part?
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Author: Neal Raskin
Date: 2007-12-27 03:17
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One way to keep your reeds from warping:
Get:
-An Airtight Tupperware/Rubbermaid Storage container. (big enough for a couple plastic reed cases and maybe a box of reed and a sock filled with salt.)
-A plain black NYLON sock.
- Some Table salt
-Plastic reed cases (Vito/Lavoz/ProTec etc.)
Fill one black NYLON sock with around a half cup of plain old table salt. Then fold the end over a couple times. Maybe wrap it in a creative way to ensure the salt won't spill out. Place the sock with the salt into the tupperware container and drip 4-5 DROPS of water on the sock each day. This will keep the humidity level in the case consistent. Continue to follow normal break-in guidelines and practicing procedures. Enjoy flat reeds all the time in all weather. I have attached some images to show how I did it.
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2007-12-27 03:49
soggychicken wrote:
"I notice the reed is usually pretty dry when I'm playing, especially on the vamp. Could this be causing the problem?"
IMHO, absolutely. When one side of the reed is moist and the other side is dry, warping will occur.
Solution...whenever possible, keep wetting the outside of the reed with the saliva from your tongue.
When not playing, I've seen some players blow slowly with the entire mpc in their mouth to moisten both sides of the reed.
Just my opinion.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-12-27 15:18
What, an entire thread with no rhymes? Unacceptable. GBK, please take charge!
A death-grip ligature I'd say is just a short-term fix,
because the lifespan of the reed will surely end up "nix".
The reed is warping so the bottom it needs scrapes or shavin'
to make sure that the poor sad cane when wet Ain't Misbehavin'.
(Apologies to Fats Waller)
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Author: EuGeneSee
Date: 2007-12-27 15:24
DS, I'm the one in charge of issuing "groaners" when I attempt to be funny!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-12-27 15:39
David Spiegelthal wrote:
> What, an entire thread with no rhymes?
> Unacceptable. GBK, please take charge
The brands on the market are really diverse,
Buy "French cut" or "filed cut"? - My head hurts! - get a nurse!
Thick blank, or thin blank, the choices are vast.
And then there's Legere, which is said to outlast.
After years on this topic I've come to conclude,
I've spent too much money, now my cat needs some food.
There are bills to pay and the mortgage is due.
I like steak once a week, and hate turkey stew.
I don't spend the hours with my knife and a scraper,
Or use all my time to adjust with sandpaper.
There are more things in life, so I'll now go away,
Watch a movie, stroll the beach and just play my Buffet...GBK
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