Clarinet reed help, does anyone know what to do???

Question:ok people here's the thing, i've been playing the clarinet for over 3 years now, and umm i have something about reeds, they get moldy like really quick, like in a few days, like 2 or 3, u know they grow ugly black stuff on it, and yes i take it off the mouth piece, and i rinse it in water, but it still gets moldy, and its weird cuz this only happens every other year, in 6th grade it didnt happen, in 7th grade it did, in 8th grade it didnt, and this year it does, so please does anyone know how to keep it clean??

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: ok people here's the thing, i've been playing the clarinet for over 3 years now, and umm i have something about reeds, they get moldy like really quick, like in a few days, like 2 or 3, u know they grow ugly black stuff on it, and yes i take it off the mouth piece, and i rinse it in water, but it still gets moldy, and its weird cuz this only happens every other year, in 6th grade it didnt happen, in 7th grade it did, in 8th grade it didnt, and this year it does, so please does anyone know how to keep it clean??

1) Storage
The reeds need a flat place to store with decent circulation. If you're putting it in a reed guard or some sort of plastic holder and in a case, it doesn't get any air. The paper holders, or even the plastic cases that Rico reeds come in, are decent storage because they allow the air to circulate and the moisture from the reed to evaporate. The little paper cases that the Gonzales brand reeds come in are the best storage because it's very thick and won't warp. Look up the brand on amazon for picture examples.

2) Rinsing
If you're rinsing the reed in water, you're putting extra moisture in the reed after you play it. You don't need to rinse the reed unless you drop it on the floor or something. The sanitizing instrument spray is the best thing to use to clean it if needed. The reed needs to be fairly dry when you put it away, so a quick wipe with a tissue or kleenex can take moisture out.
3) Keep the instrument clean!
The instrument needs to be cleaned after every time you use it before you put it away. Without doing so, you're locking in moisture IN the case when you put it away without wiping out the condensation, making it more likely to mold, instrument AND reed alike. The case is designed for a tight, protective fit and can trap moisture inside. If your instrument is wood, yes, it needs moisture, but it should only come from a specialized device like a damp-it or climate controller (yes, you can buy one for your instrument, very expensive!) Your saliva has lots of germs that can thrive in moisture.
4) Filing
You can file the black stuff (mold) off. Buy 400 grit sandpaper and file the reed going WITH the grain of the wood to remove some mold. You should be balancing the reeds at this point in your career--if you want to know how, feel free to send me a message.
5) Is your case clean?
Dirty cases can be a great place for mold to thrive.

Try a few of those things to see if it helps.

ok u r getting alittle supersticious.

dont wash them in water

take the reed, wipe it off gently on a paper towel... very gently. then put it in the little plastic thing it came in or buy a little plastic holder (about $2.50) and slide it in there and it should be good.

1. Get a reedgard or other non-paper reed holder. Plastic is OK, finished wood is fine, but if you're keeping your reeds in those little paper-and-carboard reed holders that the music stores sometimes use--quit.

2. If you eat shortly before playing, brush and mouthwash!

3. Get some fine rush abrasive or similar stuff to sand down your reeds. Don't sand the heck out of them, just remove the very surface.

4. Is yours a wooden clarinet? Use bore oil according to manuafacturer's specs.

Those might help.

make sure its not wet when you store it. dry it off really well then make sure its pretty wet when you do play. the every other year thing is quite an odd coincidence...it probably has something to do with the weather. get proper cases for your reeds.

i play the clarinet too. and i find that if i keep about 3 reeds in my case and alternate them each time i play, the reeds last longer.

OK the black stuff is mould! To get rid of it sand it down till its yellow again. Sometimes the mould can be brushed off but I don't know how hygienic this is!

Don't rinse your reed after you use it! This may be why you are getting mould. After you play wipe off your spit and store in a reed case. You may also be wetting it too much before you play! If not rinsing it doesn't work try not wetting so much!