I haven't heard this one before, I'm curious if you have ever tried using straight up isopropyl alcohol. I use the kind with added wintergreen to sanitize my tools between students. The listerine also reminds me of what I consider most important for reed/bocal/pad hygiene, which is ORAL HYGIENE. A good clean mouth goes a long way in extending the life of reeds!
Have you ever tried John Schroder’s (ex CBSO) trick of keeping concert reeds permanently immersed in vodka, stored in a Coleman’s mustard jar? He had one reed in there for ten years. I’ve done it. I used to do this (once the reeds are broken in) and your video has reminded me of it again.
Funny thing, when Americans keep sponges and special humidifiers, like you do, Englishmen completly dry reeds - due to ambient humidity. In Poland we go more english way haha :) Don't forget about fresh water and washing reeds after playing - to remove all saliva - it really helps, believe me.
@@burnbassoon After use? I imagine (from what i've learned) you need to dry/rest them somewhat to maintain some crisp/character and prevent them turning soggy, but nice smelling noodles.
@@Darkserpentes if you follow my instructions in the video the box will not be at 100% humidity. No reed box should be air tight and the sponge will make sure that the humidity doesn’t drop below 50%.
Where would you recommend finding a small sponge like this? All that I can find near me in stores are the stock yellow sponges that are much too large for this. Would you recommend cutting one of these to a smaller size?
Hi Andrew. I really like your channel! I am considering buying one of your reed boxes (the two sided 20 reed box), but I noticed you said you never close your reed box all the the way. Is that even when it is in your bassoon case, in transit, or just at home? I always leave my reed boxes open partially at home, but don't think that is possible with the kind of clasps you have on your various reed cases which either snap shut with prongs or magnets. Anyway, maybe I am misunderstanding what you said in the video. I am going to try the Listerine thing. Boy, I have always been confused with the break-in period for the reed. I have always found that it takes forever and they change so much during the reed making process that over the years, I have gotten totally frustrated and feel like I never really get it there. I recently read advice by someone (can't remember who, now) that one way to avoid that is to pre soak (and dry) the shaped cane for a few days before making the reed so the reed will remain stable while making and finishing the reed. I have just started to try that., so have no idea about the longevity, but I do find them to be more stable and more quickly zeroed in on what they are going to sound like. Last night, I just read somewhere that you should NEVER (and he meant, never) soak a reed more than 2 minutes, ever. for longevity. That was a new one on me, I have always soaked 4 - 5. So, I guess I will try that too. Your approach with the Listernine and not letting the reed dry to the bone, with minimal back and forth between wet/dry is another whole way to look at it .Many experiments are on the horizon. Maybe one day I will find a happy medium somehow.
Hi Diane, Thanks for your comment. One thing to clarify: I don't make or sell reed boxes. Yes, there are many theories and systems about reed longevity. My main concern is to avoid creating an environment where bacteria/fungus can grow.
I haven't heard this one before, I'm curious if you have ever tried using straight up isopropyl alcohol. I use the kind with added wintergreen to sanitize my tools between students. The listerine also reminds me of what I consider most important for reed/bocal/pad hygiene, which is ORAL HYGIENE. A good clean mouth goes a long way in extending the life of reeds!
Yes! These are all very important, and especially oral hygiene as you say!
Have you ever tried John Schroder’s (ex CBSO) trick of keeping concert reeds permanently immersed in vodka, stored in a Coleman’s mustard jar? He had one reed in there for ten years. I’ve done it. I used to do this (once the reeds are broken in) and your video has reminded me of it again.
@@alexplatt8541 😮 wow never heard of that before! Would be cool to try it!
He has a website. Look him up! Also has written a crazy program to help him trim reeds
@@alexplatt8541 cool I will!
Funny thing, when Americans keep sponges and special humidifiers, like you do, Englishmen completly dry reeds - due to ambient humidity. In Poland we go more english way haha :) Don't forget about fresh water and washing reeds after playing - to remove all saliva - it really helps, believe me.
Great point!
You keep the box closed then? Keep it as humid as possible but mitigate the downsides of humidity?
I let the reeds dry out of the box for about 30 minutes and then put them in with the sponge with the box closed.
@@burnbassoon After use? I imagine (from what i've learned) you need to dry/rest them somewhat to maintain some crisp/character and prevent them turning soggy, but nice smelling noodles.
@@Darkserpentes if you follow my instructions in the video the box will not be at 100% humidity. No reed box should be air tight and the sponge will make sure that the humidity doesn’t drop below 50%.
Where would you recommend finding a small sponge like this? All that I can find near me in stores are the stock yellow sponges that are much too large for this. Would you recommend cutting one of these to a smaller size?
Hi Hunter, before I had these sponges I was just cutting a bit off of a normal dish sponge…
Hi Andrew. I really like your channel! I am considering buying one of your reed boxes (the two sided 20 reed box), but I noticed you said you never close your reed box all the the way. Is that even when it is in your bassoon case, in transit, or just at home? I always leave my reed boxes open partially at home, but don't think that is possible with the kind of clasps you have on your various reed cases which either snap shut with prongs or magnets. Anyway, maybe I am misunderstanding what you said in the video. I am going to try the Listerine thing.
Boy, I have always been confused with the break-in period for the reed. I have always found that it takes forever and they change so much during the reed making process that over the years, I have gotten totally frustrated and feel like I never really get it there. I recently read advice by someone (can't remember who, now) that one way to avoid that is to pre soak (and dry) the shaped cane for a few days before making the reed so the reed will remain stable while making and finishing the reed. I have just started to try that., so have no idea about the longevity, but I do find them to be more stable and more quickly zeroed in on what they are going to sound like. Last night, I just read somewhere that you should NEVER (and he meant, never) soak a reed more than 2 minutes, ever. for longevity. That was a new one on me, I have always soaked 4 - 5. So, I guess I will try that too. Your approach with the Listernine and not letting the reed dry to the bone, with minimal back and forth between wet/dry is another whole way to look at it .Many experiments are on the horizon. Maybe one day I will find a happy medium somehow.
Hi Diane, Thanks for your comment. One thing to clarify: I don't make or sell reed boxes.
Yes, there are many theories and systems about reed longevity. My main concern is to avoid creating an environment where bacteria/fungus can grow.
Never seen mold on a reed - but then I've only been doing it since 1975, so of course I cannot know everything.
Sounds like you take great care of your reeds!
@@burnbassoon Honestly, is mold on reeds a thing? Maybe it has to do with region or climate. I have never seen it.
@@gregfaris6959 it is a thing, and yes certainly environment is a major factor.
Where I live it is not very hard to get mold.
Tamil