I have just discovered that at the start of practise my tone sounds fine and I'm thinking to myself, this reed sounds good and after about half an hour or so it deteriorates and starts sounding that there is a lot of air running past the reed and making a funny noise it eventually (or me) starts to squeak. Today it happened again so I happened to change the reed back to one I played yesterday (one that I discarded for the same reason) and it sounded wonderful....Grrr.

It seems that I generate a lot of moisture when I play, could that be it?? and how do you go about curing it. I have my grade one shortly (still waiting for the date) and don't want it to happen in the exam.

HELP

Reeds and warm weather never mix!

I wonder if it might be a stamina/ embouchure issue too? On any reed instrument, once you begin to tire, the embouchure slackens, allowing air out of the sides of your mouth...

Some players simply are more 'spitty' than others. With single reeds, I can't comment!

x

Take a spare reed (or two) into the exam.
If you think you need to then pull through your clari part way through the exam, particularly if you dod some non-playing parts of the exam in between when you are playing. If the reed seems too soggy then change it.

It may well be that you're heading towards needing reeds a half strength higher too. Ask your teacher to check.

Vialoboist
I'm sure its not the stamina, as when I change the reed all is well again.
Thanks for your comments.

Sbhoa and Barry
Think you might be right, I will change up a half reed and see what happens. also will take your advice about the exam. .

Getting pretty nervous about that.

Sometimes reeds play better after they've dried out.

You could take it off. Dry it and swab the instrument before replacing it and see if that makes any difference. i do that during extended practice sessions.

Thanks Dawn

I will do that in tomorrows practise session before my lesson proper.

Don't forget G1 is only 15 - 20 minutes long (I think), and you won't be playing for all that time. If you're still worried about getting clogged up, perhaps play through all your pieces and the scale requirements (you don't play all the scales in the exam, so playing all of them will make up for sightreading), and see if you start having problems.

I doubt you would in that short a period of time, so hopefully it'll reassure you!

All the best for the exam too. Grade 1 so soon.... It doesn't seem that long since you were posting about your first lesson. Keep us posted on that front.

I have very weird problems with reeds sometimes. The reed is fine when I'm doing my scales at the beginning of my practise, but about 25-30 minutes in, it sometimes starts squeaking on me, usually in the same piece. I think it has something to do with the massive jumps in the piece, but sometimes it happens and sometimes it doesn't. If I change reeds though, I always find myself going back to the original one and finding it better than I thought it was! I've learned to cope with it now, and I think it's worse when it's warmer, so I'll have to hope my exam is on a rainy day!!

Tamsin,Dawn and Kingsly

Thanks for your replies, the advice is much appreciated.
In this mornings practise when the reed seemed to go wrong I used my pull through to dry the reed (just holding it on the reed)without taking it out and that seemed to work.
I will keep you posted.
I will tell you what Dawn it only seemed like yesterday that I was pestering you all for advice (and receiving it ). doesn't life fly.
Hopefully I should find out the date for my G1 at this afternoons lesson.

I get this problem as well, so I just make sure I have a few spare reeds with me.

I did try drying my reed at my lesson a couple of hours ago (As above) and it seemed to work. I will keep my fingers crossed.

I personally would take the reed off to dry it and probably swab out at least the mouthpiece too to remove moisture and so resulting buzzing/squeaking due to clogging. Moisture can also collect under key pads. Mine is particularly bad around the A and G# keys. This too can cause squeaking and unlear notes. Therefore, if you create a lot of moisture (very common in beginners) it's worth stopping mid practice and swabbing out the instrument. Incidentally it's advise you do this frequently with new instruments too.

But do do whatever works best for you David

Thanks Dawn
At least now I seem to have identified the problem which is a relief. I will also check the keys for moisture.

what a great place this is. Thank you again

David