Author: d-oboe
Date: 2005-08-07 01:50
A Montreal-er here!
The past summer in Montreal has been really hot, and seeing as the entire city is an island, it is extremely humid. The heat and humidity makes for really open reeds. I find that, although the reeds do vibrate really well, they are quite sluggish at first. The best remedy, or well, coping strategy, is to have a good warm-up routine. Just come to terms with the fact that your playing won't be that great the first minutes out (sometimes up to 45 minutes!!) - and really try to open your sound up, relax your muscles. Take care to warm up, and looooosen your embouchure before playing. Nothing will halt a practice session (and thus the vibrations in the reed) faster than an un-prepped embouchure.
Remember, that the more open, relaxed and resonant that *you* are, the better the reed will respond.
Do also take care to soak the reed well - up to 15 minutes. You could even allow it to get slightly oversoaked, and then just play on it from there. After the warm-up session the reed should vibrate properly, and hopefully shouldn't dry out so much.
If necessary carry a water receptacle (however nasty it seems) and put your reed in it during breaks. Make sure all of the cane is submerged. As well, when doing a quick moistening with the lips, moisten the entire reed with saliva, not just the tip.
D
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