Is there any way of keeping the reeds not dirty?! Mine always get real dirty, while every other clarinet in the band does not have this problem...it`s definatly not that my mouth or anything is dirty because that is definatly not possible...mouth and tongue is clean as can be! It`s just really embarassing and I need to know what to do! ANY info. will help...Thank You!

Can anyone do research please? Anything will help..it`s so embarassing hearing pepople say "eww...look at your reed" when i an`t do anything about it.

The dirty look of the reed may be due to the chemical reaction between the reed fibre and the moisture content of saliva while keeping inside the reed holder in the clarinet case without adequate ventilation.

You may try to put the reed on a flat surface to dry it completely before putting it back in the reed holder.

Hope this helps

Do you keep the reed on the mouthpiece? That may be another culprit, as things will grow on reeds!

Keeping the reed on the mouthpiece is definitely NOT a good idea! It probably is the reason for your reed problem. I`ve known people who have trouble playing because they kept their reed on the mouthpiece. A few years back, there weren`t enough bass clarinets to circulate through the eighth grade and high school bands which played together, and I had to use a sixth grader`s. I couldn`t get any notes lower than b because the mouthpiece was so stopped up with saliva and...other stuff since he hadn`t taken it off from the beginning of the year. You really ought to take it off at least every few days.

maybe you eat right before you play? some bits might get stuck on your reed

That`s right, Jay! Eating while and just before you play is a definite no-no. The food particles can go inside your instrument and permanently damage it. Also, just like everyone else has said, leaving the reed on the mouthpiece is a bad idea. The saliva on the reed warps it, and it it thus harder to make a (good) sound out of it.

You should soak the reed for at least a minute in warm water before you play. This prevents warping, and thus gives you better response from the reed, and a much better sound quality. When you are finished playing, wipe off the excess moisture from the reed, and put it in a reedgard case (you can buy these for less than $2 at a local music store). These cases ensure that the reed stays flat, and allows moisture to dry out at the same time.

I hope this solves your problem.

Thomas

Well, thanks, all your advice I will try...of course I don`t leave my reed on the mouthpiece by no means and I have lunch right after band...so maybe I`ll try the drying it before I put it in my reed guard...that, or buy a different kind of reed guard that I know of...Thank You

This is what I do...after playing I take off my reed and wipe the excess spit off on my swab then put it in the reed guard..then do the rest of my instrument...I don`t know whats going on. (same person)

It`s probably just them, why does it matter what other people think.

By the way...how long have you been playing on that reed for? If it`s exceeding 3 months trash it.

Hey!
I`ve got that same problem! I`ve been playing for 2 years now and i`ve finally found something that works! Try soaking your reed in warm water after playing each time at your house. This usually works! Good Luck! And keep on practicing!
-Cady
Concert Band Member