Author: ron b
Date: 2001-02-27 22:04
Reading the above posts gives me the uncanny notion that I'm so far 'outdated' or removed from mainstream reality that I'm out of touch.
Please allow me to (try to) explain:
I rarely do anything to a reed. Plain ol' Rico #3 1/2 right outa the box. Been using 'em for as long as - well, you know. (Did I just hear someone chuckle? - oh, well - please hear me out anyway - then write me off.... ). If I find a 'need' to make a reed a little 'softer' I do as I and other clarinet tooters I've known and loved over the years have done - scrape the thing. I mean scrape it... with a single edge razor blade. You can buy industrial razor blades at paint departments by the box (100) for about ten dollars. They're great for scraping paint, hobby/craft projects and - scraping reeds. Don't plane, whittle or gouge - just scrape lightly. I've found that you have a lot of control with a blade. You can use a pocket knife or an X-acto if you prefer or, in a pinch, a piece of glass. You can more easily see what you're doing with a thin blade, in my opinion, than you can with a flat piece of opaque paper. You can 'monitor' how much wood you're removing because you can see it as you proceed. A flat surface to lay the reed on is fine if one's handy; if not, no big deal.
I didn't know anyone who seriously considered using sandpaper until I began visiting this BB.
Someone, many years ago, introduced me to the advantages of using reed rush rather than a metal blade. If you're not too dexterous you won't risk serious injury with reed rush. You can carry a piece of rush in your case or your pocket or purse and not have to wrap it; it's very convenient. I've been using it for years.
If your reed's too soft and you don't have a reed trimmer handy you can carefully trim the end of your reed, if you want, by using - you guessed it - a razor blade. Another method is to place the reed, flat side down, on a quarter or half dollar or any similar size coin. With the end extended just beyond the edge of the coin, hold a lighted match or other small flame below the coin. That will burn a little off the end of your reed and it's reasonably symetrical.
Anyway, that's how some of us old coots did it back in the 'olden days'. It may be no better than any other way of 'getting the job done' - just *another* way to get there... if don't have a nice piece of sandpaper handy (right) when you need it.
ron b :o}
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