I have hired a bassoon and found 5 reeds in the reed case. How could I sterilize them without damaging the reeds? I've read that Hydrogen peroxide is a good way- what would the proper solution be? And how long to soak the reed in that solution?
Also- would it be harmful to the bassoon to wait until the end of the day's practice before swabbing it out?
I'm a learner (2 days!) so cannot play for much more than 5 min. at a time- which would be a real pain taking apart, swabbing etc. several times a day.
Any suggestions very much appreciated.
Anyone out there with some good advice for a 67 year old starting the bassoon- teachers are not available in my area.
Many thanks
Full Version: Rental Bassoon
Hi "Oldish Beginner"
Well done for thinking you'll start the bassoon now - fantastic and good wishes to you.
On the specific questions you ask, I am not a bassoonist but an oboist but similar problems can occur for my instrument too. So I hope the following may be helpful.
Cleaning the bassoon: if the instrument is well blown in (and as it's a hired one, it probably is) then it won't come to serious harm, given how little you'll play it initially, if you use it for a few minutes and then put it down without cleaning it. However once it begins to be more used, you should mop it out. The moisture can easily be absorbed by the pads and then you start getting problems. Try to leave it standing in a more upright position so the water can drain down to the bottom of the instrument, not lying on its side so it escapes through the holes. (You can get a stand to rest it on.) It is always best to mop out an instrument after playing but I can see where you're coming from when you initially start out.
As to reeds - I would personally never use any reeds "inherited" as I wouldn't know where they'd been, who'd used them before etc. I'd always use new ones myself. Imagine five people you know and them all sucking these reeds and then giving them to you. Do you still want to use them?
If so, then you can disinfect/sterilise them (and should do so anyway if you've had a cold or similar infection) but I would do so using a mildsolution of TCP (or a disinfectant that's safe to use in the mouth). I dilute TCP for my reeds on the basis of a capful of solution to a cupful of water. (Others may do differently). Remember what ever you use will stay in the cane even as it dries to it MUST be safe to use inside the mouth. Harsher substances may also damage the cane and therefore the effectiveness of the reed. Don't saturate the reeds by leaving them soaking for ages. Just pop them in for no more than a couple of minutes (perhaps less) and then shake off the excess water, blow them through from the wrong end, and leave to dry.
Hope this helps but a "proper" bassoonist may be able to advise you better.
Well done for thinking you'll start the bassoon now - fantastic and good wishes to you.
On the specific questions you ask, I am not a bassoonist but an oboist but similar problems can occur for my instrument too. So I hope the following may be helpful.
Cleaning the bassoon: if the instrument is well blown in (and as it's a hired one, it probably is) then it won't come to serious harm, given how little you'll play it initially, if you use it for a few minutes and then put it down without cleaning it. However once it begins to be more used, you should mop it out. The moisture can easily be absorbed by the pads and then you start getting problems. Try to leave it standing in a more upright position so the water can drain down to the bottom of the instrument, not lying on its side so it escapes through the holes. (You can get a stand to rest it on.) It is always best to mop out an instrument after playing but I can see where you're coming from when you initially start out.
As to reeds - I would personally never use any reeds "inherited" as I wouldn't know where they'd been, who'd used them before etc. I'd always use new ones myself. Imagine five people you know and them all sucking these reeds and then giving them to you. Do you still want to use them?
If so, then you can disinfect/sterilise them (and should do so anyway if you've had a cold or similar infection) but I would do so using a mildsolution of TCP (or a disinfectant that's safe to use in the mouth). I dilute TCP for my reeds on the basis of a capful of solution to a cupful of water. (Others may do differently). Remember what ever you use will stay in the cane even as it dries to it MUST be safe to use inside the mouth. Harsher substances may also damage the cane and therefore the effectiveness of the reed. Don't saturate the reeds by leaving them soaking for ages. Just pop them in for no more than a couple of minutes (perhaps less) and then shake off the excess water, blow them through from the wrong end, and leave to dry.
Hope this helps but a "proper" bassoonist may be able to advise you better.
Hi there,
As for the reeds, I would definitely recommend buying new ones, starting at Soft/Medium Soft. I haven't ever used someone else's reed, mainly for sanitary and shaping reasons.
The ones that you have already are used, meaning that someone has shaped them to their particular preferences. When you "break" into a new reed, it can take some playing for the reed to "mould" to the mouth shape. Therefore you will probably want to start with a new one so it will suit you better.
Also, some people scrape the cane down to make it thinner (means it vibrates easier, makes it easier to play) so again you'll want to get a new one so you can change it to how it suits you.
About the cleaning, it is good to have swabs to clean out the parts. I know it seems like a big hassle to take it all apart and swab each part individually and then unscrew the boot part and let the "condensation" drip out there, etc. but it is worth it to extend instrument life. Despite saying this, I rarely give mine the thorough cleaning it needs (hey I'm 15 I'm allowed to be a little slack
) but these kinds of habits should be started early I suppose.
If you're only playing for a few minutes at a time I suppose little condensation would build up, so no you don't have to dissemble and clean each time, just a good clean at the end of the day. Remember to soak your reed in some water for a few minutes before playing, it allows the cane to absorb the moisture instead of absorbing saliva which would make the reed feel dry and crack.
There are some websites for bassoon playing, eg.
http://www.tsmp.org/band/nelson/nelson1.html
http://www.mti.dmu.ac.uk/~ahugill/manual/bassoon
But I find this one to be the most detailed, helpful and comprehensive:
http://www.uky.edu/~pcsimp01/Bassoon_Studi...soonbasics.html
If you're interested in hearing some bassoon, here is a great site:
http://ishikawa.colorado.edu/yirecital11.04.html
Good luck and have fun with your bassoon playing
As for the reeds, I would definitely recommend buying new ones, starting at Soft/Medium Soft. I haven't ever used someone else's reed, mainly for sanitary and shaping reasons.
The ones that you have already are used, meaning that someone has shaped them to their particular preferences. When you "break" into a new reed, it can take some playing for the reed to "mould" to the mouth shape. Therefore you will probably want to start with a new one so it will suit you better.
Also, some people scrape the cane down to make it thinner (means it vibrates easier, makes it easier to play) so again you'll want to get a new one so you can change it to how it suits you.
About the cleaning, it is good to have swabs to clean out the parts. I know it seems like a big hassle to take it all apart and swab each part individually and then unscrew the boot part and let the "condensation" drip out there, etc. but it is worth it to extend instrument life. Despite saying this, I rarely give mine the thorough cleaning it needs (hey I'm 15 I'm allowed to be a little slack
) but these kinds of habits should be started early I suppose. If you're only playing for a few minutes at a time I suppose little condensation would build up, so no you don't have to dissemble and clean each time, just a good clean at the end of the day. Remember to soak your reed in some water for a few minutes before playing, it allows the cane to absorb the moisture instead of absorbing saliva which would make the reed feel dry and crack.
There are some websites for bassoon playing, eg.
http://www.tsmp.org/band/nelson/nelson1.html
http://www.mti.dmu.ac.uk/~ahugill/manual/bassoon
But I find this one to be the most detailed, helpful and comprehensive:
http://www.uky.edu/~pcsimp01/Bassoon_Studi...soonbasics.html
If you're interested in hearing some bassoon, here is a great site:
http://ishikawa.colorado.edu/yirecital11.04.html
Good luck and have fun with your bassoon playing
Re. reeds, simply rinse them under flowing water. Wood is attacked by fungi, but not bacteria. Rinse, soak the reeds for 5 minutes, rinse under flowing cold water again and treat as new..
The reeds may have been left there for a reason. They may be very good!
Many players say that the cane is not left to season and mature as long as it was in the past. Old cane may possess stability that newer reeds don't have.
If in doubt ask yourself, when was the last time you heard of anyone dying an agonising death from an old bassoon reed!
Steve
The reeds may have been left there for a reason. They may be very good!
Many players say that the cane is not left to season and mature as long as it was in the past. Old cane may possess stability that newer reeds don't have.
If in doubt ask yourself, when was the last time you heard of anyone dying an agonising death from an old bassoon reed!
Steve
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