First signs that reed is going away?

[hgiles]

Yesterday, I was playing and the horn sounded great top to bottom -- easy to play. Today -- low bell tones were near impossible. Is my reed going away? Or did my wife or daughter bump my sax while I was at work?

Should I take the reed off the mpc between sessions? Should I store a few reeds in a jar of water?

3-4 weeks is the typical lifespan of a reed eh? Is this a fact? Are we talking 40 hours of playing time or 400 hours of playing time?

[gary]

First signs that reed is going away? When you come home and you catch your reed looking in the paper for apartments to rent. :D
When you come home and you find an empty reed holder on the doorstep.
When your reed won't let you put it in your mouth any more.
When you catch your reed in another mouthpiece.

I got a million of 'em. I tell ya, I got a million of 'em.

[gary]

But to answer your question, hgiles, in my experience there are no absolutes when it comes to reeds. I can get some that last a few weeks or so, or some that die on me the next day. Also, in my experience, it often doesn't have anything to do with the brand or cut. I'm not even sure it always has to do with how much playing it's getting, although all things being equal, one that's played to death is not going to last as long as one less frequently played.

Regarding what to do between playing sessions, I think the consensus is to always put it on (in) something that will rest the reed flat to dry. Although the other day I picked up my soprano, which I hadn't played in a couple of weeks, was irritated that it still had a reed on it (I had forgotten to do the conventional-wisdom thing) and played it dry and it played great...go figure.

But generally I think the advice would be to put it in a reed guard when you're not using it. Also you should have several reeds and rotate them, not just rely on one reed until it croaks on you.

Specifically, if you're not sure what the problem is, try several new reeds (or some older ones you know work) on your sax and compare them with the one that doesn't work anymore. If no reeds work then it's your sax or your dog ate your mouthpiece.

p.s. Do you break your reeds in over a couple of days?

[hgiles]

p.s. Do you break your reeds in over a couple of days?

Well, I just started playing again after a layoff of about 8 years. I had all my reeds together and I presume there are new and old all mixed in. I don't go through a regimented break-in procedure. I just play it and if something doesn't seem right I just toss it back in with the others and grab a different one. Eventually and randomly I get back to it. I guess I will start marking them or something.

So do you say go ahead and let them dry out flat between playing? I have seen some people store reeds in jars of water, but cannot imagine a continuous soaking would be good for the reeds. Maybe during a gig this might be a good idea...

[altosaxguy1]

my reeds (vandoren 2.5) usually last 6-8 weeks before they get hard to play on

[altosaxguy1]

my reeds (vandoren 2.5) usually last 6-8 weeks before they get hard to play on uh oh