Author: d-oboe
Date: 2005-06-17 05:26
I think what I mean to say is that long soaking for extended periods of time (other than the soaking needed in the assembly of a reed) weakens the fibers of the reed. After being saturated for long periods of time the cellulose walls of the cane start to deteriorate and erode, as would any agricultural product that is placed in water. your hardening celery example is compelling - because that is exactly what happens to cane when it is soaked. But, if you left the celery at room temp there for about a week in the dark it would probably be rather disgusting when you went to go check it again.
Obviously, every oboist does their own thing, and we all have special ways of rectifying certain problems. However, amateur students need not be bogged down with reed theory and specially made contraptions with salt solutions that moniter humidity. Really - will it benefit them that much?
I can honestly say, that I own a simple reed case- one that is not sealed, and that allows free flow of air through the case - and I have never had the occurence of a reed working one day and being dead the next. (Some people claim this happens to them - but maybe it's because they are fussing too much over humidity) When it comes down to it, our reeds have to function in everyday situations, in all types of humidity, temperatures, halls, etc. I believe that if our reeds are in cases that are closed, but allow air flow, we are more likely to choose the correct reed for the correct venue. The reeds have the chance to accustom themselves to their locale..(I must say that I HAVE had a reed drastically change while I was performing it. I had oversoaked the reed, but it played fine - by the end of the concert it hardly had an opening!)
That's what I think
d
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