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Re: Reeds with wire

Author: vboboe
Date: 2005-08-21 09:01

... the small section of reed just above the tube, before it flares out into the blades, plays better when well arched, to permit maximum air-flow into the tube. Wire pinches the sides of the cane together to hold this arched shape

... after tying on canes, some reed-makers use wire to dry (cure) them in shape and start the scraping process a day or two later

In some cases the wire is like packaging material, it just announces 'this is a brand new reed' and can be taken off (soak reed very well first before removing wire, less likely to crack it)

... however, more often wire gives vital extra support to poor quality cane which doesn't hold its shape well when wet
... sometimes too much scraping low down to the binding weakens the cane
... high quality cane, well designed by the scrape, doesn't need wire

Wire is a harsh method to shape reeds, but it's handy and economical
Wires pinch the sides of the reed, making indentations which crack fibres there, which may lead to leaking later on after the reed is well blown in

Other methods that do a similar thing ... reshaping and molding very wet reeds gently with fingers before putting them away to dry again after playing ... binding tightly with tape or goldbeaters skin to hold shape while drying ... remoulding the reed in a skilled embouchure ... a mandrel can be turned around inside the tube to open up the oval end wider, more circular

... if you leave the wire on, make sure the ends are pointing down to the binding, not up the reed towards your lips, or playing will be ... OUCH!

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