After using Fibracells for years, I have recently been rotating back to cane. Primarily because I'm currently playing tenor all night & don't need the immediate playability of Fibracells when doubling. My issue is, as I go back to cane, I am squeaking! Haven't had this problem since 7th grade… so…What is the actual analysis as to why a reed would squeak? … and a PS what is quickest solution?
It could a number of things. Some initial thoughts-
-too soft
-if the back is warped and it is not sealing on the mouthpiece (I would just use a bastard file and do a few swipes to flatten)
-be sure it is wet enough.
It depends on the type of squeak. I have found that the really high pitched squeak or squeal often comes from the table of the reed being warped. An easy way to check this is to put your reed & lig on the mouthpiece (not on the horn), point it toward a light and look through the tip- toward the rails. The light should taper to nothing, evenly on both rails, about where the lig touches the reed. If you see any light further than this, the table is warped. To remedy, you can use a reed knife or razor blade to scrape very gently. You could also use very light sandpaper (400-600 grain). In either case, I would only go from the heel of the reed to the very bottom of the vamp. Put the reed back on & check the rails again.
To avoid allowing the reeds to warp in the first place, pick up a pelican case to store them in & put a small sponge lightly soaked in Listerine or vodka inside. This will keep micro bacteria from turning your reeds funky and black & will allow for immediate playability without further soaking. The reeds will last a very long time this way.
As a side note, I no longer use a plain leather Rovner lig. I found that these stretch a bit and because they don't hold the reed evenly all around, they tend to exacerbate the problems of a slightly warped table. You are better off with a metal lig or a Rovner that has plates or rails that come in contact with the reed.
Be careful when mounting the reed and place the tip exactly at the end of the tip rail. If you use reading glasses, use them to mount the reed - positioning is critical. Never let the reed tip extend beyond the tip rail. Sometimes you want it just a tad under the tip rail, but just a hair. Too far in and you lose all the 'presence', getting a mushy sound.
You have to hold the mouthpiece up to the light and look across the tip when setting the reed, using your thumb to lightly press the reed tip to the tip rail.
You would do this whether or not it stops the squeak. If it does, great, but if it doesn't you obviously have something else going on.
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