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Buying reeds
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There are many different makes of reed but initially you are only be
concerned about the strength of the reed. The strength
of reed should be selected to match your embouchure
and mouthpiece - you may need to change strength as
your embouchure develops or if you change your
mouthpiece. A reed that is too soft will close up and
stop sounding. A reed that is too hard will be
difficult to sound. Bear in mind that different makes
of reed have different classifications of strength
e.g. a Rico number 2 reed is softer than a Vandoran
number 2 reed. So stick to one make of reed to avoid
confusion.
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Selecting
a new reed |
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When you buy a new box of reeds (they are usually cheaper by the box)
some of the reeds will initially be better than the
others. Select the 3 best by the following criteria:
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- A clear white or creamy coloured shaved section
- A golden wheat coloured bark
- Close straight running fibres that run to the tip
- An even taper graduated to the tip
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The reed should also be "balanced" - hold it up to the light -
it should not be darker on one side to the other.
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Place the reeds you have selected in glass of water for several minutes.
Then lay them out on a flat surface (flat side down)
hold each reed in place with one hand and use the
middle finger of the other hand to rub down the
surface of the vamp (shaved section of the reed) to
the tip.
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The remaining reeds that you have not selected will probably improve with
age so keep all reeds (as long as they are not split
are broken) for potential future selection.
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Looking
after reeds |
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Develop the following good habits:
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- When using the reed occasionally suck hard on the reed to remove excess saliva from the reed
- When you have finished playing leave the reed to air
- When the reed is dry put it into its holder (if the reeds you usually buy do not come with individual holders then buy a reed case)
- Always throw a way a chipped or split reed
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After a long time a reed will become
calcified from saliva deposits and
will sound more and more metallic, so occasionally
compare the three reeds you have selected with those
remaining in the box and discard a reed if it is worn
out.
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Different
makes of reeds |
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There are many different makes of reed some
of which are designed for
particular types of mouthpieces and styles of music.
You can try the various makes of reed but I would only
recommend this if you have a reasonable mouthpiece and
ligature, and the instrument is in good working order.
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