How do I know a reed is bad?

[fballatore]

Besides the obvious (chips, nicks, cracks, splits), how can I tell? I've read alot about reeds on SOTW and other forums, and it seems like depending on the reeds you buy, anywhere from 25-50% of them can be "bad". I'm guessing that an experienced player will know immediately by how it plays, but how do I as a beginner know? How do I know if the reed is causing the problem or if it's me? When I practice, I have my good days and bad days - using the same reed. Sometimes I'll sound great, and others, I squeak and shrill all over the place. (Luckily, the good days outnumber the bad by at least 4 to 1.) I've tried Vandoren blue box 1.5, 2, and 2.5; LaVoz medium, Rico 2, and a no name reed 2.5. The Vandoren 2's seem to be the best for me right now, but even with those, I have trouble from time to time. How do I know if the reed is the problem without blowing through a box of reeds and testing every single one?

Thanks,

Frank

[Michael Ward]

Frank reeds will always be a " problem" being a natural product. Just a few observations. First make sure your piece is good, good table, rails etc. and your lig is doing it's job also your horn is well set up. I personally think reeds get blamed too much when it's other factors causing the problems. Next experiment to find which brand and strength suit you and what you wish to achieve and stick with it because all brands have their quirks and you just get used to them. There are many ways to prepare a reed from the lick it and throw it on method to intricate rituals lasting weeks. personally I just open a tin/box soak them for a minute or two and blow 'em for a bit not too strenuously for a few minutes, stroke the vamp to seal them and let them dry overnight before trying them again next day. Storing them on glass is a good idea. Some will play better than others, so mark them with a pen and rotate them. Out of a tin of Alexanders I usually get 9 out of 10 good ones using Lamberson pieces sometimes 10. Also it's often been said that reed success is related to how much you practice/ play . i.e much practice equals more success.

[Gandalfe]

I can pretty much use any baritone or tenor sax reed and they seem to last longer. With my alto, which is my primary axe, I tend to be pickier. Most of my beginners can use any reed and they won’t notice an appreciable difference in reeds until they have been plaxing for a least a year. I had one friend who played any reed that he pulled out of the box. He thought my method was fussy. So I had him play his reed and then handed him one of my better reeds. He played it and wouldn’t let me have it back.

My method isn’t too hard to figure out. Once I have selected a brand I like (I tend to vacillate between Lavoz and Rico Royals) I buy them by the box from a place like www.music123.com. That is much cheaper than by the eaches from your local music store. And you don’t end up looking a five or six rejects that is all the store has available when you come in after four other people have picked out the best looking reeds.

When I have about an hour, I take all ten out of the box and put them in a cup of water. After about five minutes, I take my favorite mouthpiece and horn and start to play each reed for about five minutes. If the reed is vibrant, strong and just plays, I mark it with a permanent marker ‘+’. If it is difficult to play it gets a ‘-‘ and goes back in the box. If it is in between then I put it in my reed holder which can hold ten reeds. If you don’t know when you try the first reed, put it aside and try the next reed. You’ll be able to tell pretty quickly.

Once I have made the way through the reeds, I usually have four great reeds, which I save for concerts and gigs, and four or more average reeds, which I use for practicing. There in nothing quite like wrestling with an average reed and then for a concert slapping on a killer reed that would make anyone sound good.

I then take the usable reeds and rub the flat side on a piece of glass for almost a minute and then run a reed brush over the vamp side of the reed for about 20 seconds. I don’t shave the reeds although I’ve heard of many guys doing that with great success.

Since I’m rotating the reeds, they tend to last up to six months. That may be because I only practice a half hour to an hour a day and three hours on Thursday’s practice sessions. I gig about once every three months, usually as a last minute fill in. Not bad for someone who took a 27 year break and then started back up almost three years ago.

Okay, I probably spent way too much time explaining that. :lol:

[airmouton]

fballatore - I wouldn't worry too much about "bad" reeds. I routinely use every reed in the box without making sweet love to them or anything else I've been told makes them last longer/play better, and honestly the only problems I've had with squeeking/chirps is when I've worn down the last reed and am too lazy to buy another pack.

The one thing I've found that helps is reed rotation. If you give your reeds one or two off-days between playing them and they have a chance to dry, they seem less prone acting up. Other than that, if a reed isn't working for you try shaving it - ask someone in the know how to go about doing that, I usually mess it up - or, if all else fails, toss it. Ultimately, the best thing you can do is rely on your own senses.

[Old Charlie]

Frank,

Thanks for the question. I was gonna ask, but you beat me to it.

One suggestion on helping with the squeeks, etc. Instead of asking my instructior, I went to a reputable woodwind shop in my area (The House of Woodwinds in San Ramon) and told the owner what my problem was. We did a ten minute troubleshooting session and he pointed out what I was doing and how to correct it. No more squeeks on the low register. You might try it - take your horn with you when you go.

Keep up the good work.

[fballatore]

Thanks all for the advice...

Hey Charlie - don't hold out on me!!! What did you learn that you were doing wrong and how did you correct it?!?

[renegade]

My experience tells me that if the sound is thinning out, it is time to replace the reed. Also if the reed appears too soft when it touches your lower lips compared to the time when you use it after the break in period, it is an indication that you should replace it.

[AlistairD]

Renegade,

Good tip... How long do you find a reed normally lasts (in terms of playing hours that is....)?

[tjontheroad]

Take a look at the Ridenour Professional ATG Reed Finishing System discussed here...

Click here (http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=23011&highlight=Ridenour)

The DVD included is great and will explain a lot to you.

[sassofonu]

Why is stroking the vamp of the reed recommended?

I think it does more harm than good since it blocks up all the 'pores' of the cane itself...

I prefer to push the reed against the rails of the mouthpiece a couple of times with my thumb when it's in place to 'loosen' it up.

[rusty]

Gandalfe, what`s a reed brush please.? Rusty