All About Reeds

 

BUY A BOX OF REEDS RIGHT NOW!! 

 

Clarinet and Sax players should always have about five reeds in rotation.  If you buy a box of 10 now, you’ll be all set for the year.

 

Use a sharp pencil to identify which reed you will use for each day.  For example, on your “first” day of playing, use a reed and mark the bottom with one dot.  On your “second” day of playing, use a new reed and mark the bottom with two dots, etc.  When you’ve used each reed once a day, go back to your first reed again.

 

I will be checking that you have at least five reeds during the first couple weeks of school. Please get this taken care of as soon as you can.  They are cheaper when you buy in bulk—a box of 10 or 25.

 

REED NUMBERS  

    

Reeds are numbered from 1.5 to 5, using every half-number (1.5, 2, 2.5, etc.). The higher the number is, the harder the reed will be. Hardness means how strong and thick the cane is that was used to make the reed. As beginners in elementary school, students should start out on reeds no softer than 2, and should try playing on 2.5 as soon as possible (Keigwin). The idea is to play on the hardest reed the student can appropriately handle.

Students shouldn't try a reed that is too hard too quickly. A harder reed means that the sound is harder to produce. If the sound is harder to produce, a student must blow harder and might feel like they have to "bite" the reed. This will produce a small, pinched sound. Students should wait until their embouchures have developed (1 - 3 years of consistent practice) before trying harder reeds. 1st clarinets and higher-playing sax players should transition to number 3.

 

CARE OF REEDS

 

Reeds must be stored carefully, in a case that allows them to dry and doesn't expose them to excessive heat or cold. Basically, just make sure they can dry and that they don't break. Weather changes, particularly in spring or fall, can cause the reeds to "warp." Your reed is warped if you look at the tip of it and it seems wavy. Throw it away; it's difficult to play on and doesn't sound very good.  That’s why you should have at least five reeds!!

 

Reeds should also be thrown out if they are chipped or cracked at all. Yes, they often can still be played on, but they'll be more difficult and won't sound very good. That’s why you should have at least five reeds!!

 

Reeds must be "broken in." Never play on a new reed for more than 10 minutes a day. If you look at a new reed after playing on it for a while and the wood looks very wet and streaky (as though you could almost see through the tip), it is water-logged and needs to be put away. After a couple weeks, a reed will be broken in enough to play on for an entire rehearsal or practice session. A reed shouldn't be overworked -- switch them off and don't play on the same reed two days in a row.  You should always have at least five reeds!!