Seasons Change - So Do Reeds

[saxophrenic]

You know, I didn't notice this so much before but as the days have become colder here (MidWest) and the humidity lower, all of a sudden, my reeds are playing like they are at least one number too strong. I'm back down from 3 1/2 to 2 1/2 Vandorens. Some of the 2 1/2's I'm having to sand down even more!

Also the life of my reeds seems to have really shortened up too compared to this summer. Maybe its because I was keeping my reeds out in the air in thier La Voz keepers. It must be time to put them back in baggies for storage. I'm pretty sure that is what I had to do last Winter.

Has anyone else notice this seasonal change?;)

[Mike Ruhl]

No, my BARI medium is still playing pretty much the same as it has the past several years. :twisted:

sorry, couldn't resist...

[Jeremy]

Here is a good trick: Put your reeds in an air tight container, such as those Glad food storage containers, with a small sponge lightly soaked in a very,very strong mouthwash. I highly recommend Dr. Tichenor's mouthwash, www.drtichenor.com. This one is the strongest (you have to dilute it 5 to 1 if you use it as a mouthwash). Don't soak over soak the sponge; just a small amount is sufficient. It is important to keep your reeds on a flat surface in the container such as a piece of glass or a reed guard. Doing this, reed life can go from weeks to literally months, even a year. The only draw back is that you have to keep the reeds polished, i.e. rubbing them on a piece of paper to seal up the pores, in order to keep them from soaking up too much moisture.
Reeds will no longer be affected by any climate change, weather or traveling.