Some good advice on soaking the reed

[Smiffy]

Make sure there is water in the vessel

Doh!

 

[young_col]

This isn't going to pressage the gin vs vodka discussion again is it?
I keep a mug of tea by me when I practice now - no sugar of course.
YC

 

[Luluna]

My vote is for Ketel One Vodka ~ again :whistle:

Pete has a comprehensive page on this in the Beginners Saxophone section, http://www.petethomas.co.uk/saxophone-reeds.html

a bassoon playing friend tells me that the saliva grows bacteria in the cane, the alcohol in the vodka/gin/listerine kills the bacteria while conditioning the reed.

I talk a good vodka game ~ but admittedly, it's always been saliva for me - and a good reed guard to keep them from warping.

 

[DaveW]

Asked my teacher about looking after reeds and placing them in the reed guard.

He said, in his opinion, it doesn't matter about keeping them flat in the reed guard. As soon as you suck them before playing, they will striaghten out.
Also he leaves his reed on the mouthpiece on the sax, but with the guard on. It reduces the risk of damaging the reed each time you put it on and take it off the mouthpiece.

 

[tomjazz]

Smiffy that answer was class :laugh: Tom

 

[biker1941]

Ugh Dave
I would not recomend that! you need to take the reed off to dry it and clean the mouthpiece, so having done that you might as well put away carefully untill next time.
regards
Clive

 

[Pjonah]

I have to admit leaving the whole shooting match in a standby position ready for an impromtu blow, so it often spends weeks on the stand with the guard on, I'm just a bone idle slob, hey ho I've not caught anything yet!

Simon

 

[Smiffy]

Yeah once you scrap the fur off they are fine

I use a nose hair trimmer *sniff*

 

[yoyojojo]

Excuse my ignorance 🙂 Do you soak the reed every time before using it, or is it just a process for before first time use?

 

[DaveW]

Until the recent advice from my teacher, I went down the involved route of soaking a new reed for 10 minutes or so, then a gentle blow for about 10 minutes first day. Then increase blowing time on subsequent days with just a 'suck' each day.

Last lesson my teacher thought my 2.5 Daniels reeds were not right for me, gave me a new Richo 2 reed and said 'suck that for a minute' then play.
The reed was probably in my mouth less than a minute and I could play it quite well so I ain't going to go down the involved soaking route again :whistle:

 

[losaavedra]

Hmmm ... I'm another 'leave the reed on' man. My alto lives bell-up on the wall, with strap already attached too, all ready to play once guard is removed. Second note attempted usually works fine from then on. The only time I take the reed off is for a dry out when by breath is sufficiently humid to build moisture up (drinking before or during playing not good in that respect!). I've messed up more reeds putting them on and taking them off than leaving well alone ... I've been on the same reed for weeks ... so I think I'll stick to the lazy/convenient approach!