Storage
- You need a case that will protect AND ventilate your reed! I recommend a case that will hold between 3-6 reeds for students in middle & high school. For players at the collegiate level and above I recommend a case that can hold at least 10 reeds. Regardless of the quantity, ensure you're using a case with ventilated slots on the side to ensure proper airflow for the drying of your reeds.
- Ensure that you do NOT put your reed away wet! If you put it into the case and it looks shiny wipe the excess moisture off with your finger, clothing, or anything applicable. Standing moisture on the reed when stored in a dark location can lead to problems down the line.
Soaking
- Collect a vial of sorts to soak your reed! I use an empty pill bottle from CVS personally. Many pharmacies will give these to you if you ask nicely. It's the perfect size, along with many other options and creative individual solutions, to fully submerge the reed, which leads us to...
- Soak the ENTIRE reed in water before playing. The full bassoon reed resonates when you play this instrument, so it's important for the full reed to be soaked and ready to play. Fill your vial with water, drop the reed in, assemble the instrument, then it should be ready to play!
- Regularly change your water. Ideally you're doing this every time you play the instrument. I use water from the water bottle I have on me all the time to fill the vial up. Once you're done packing the instrument up either pour the water out or drink it (GASP) to ensure you need to fill it fresh next time you play.
Rotation
- Typically one reed will last one month if you play it every day. Various care and environmental factors can lead to it lasting longer & shorter than this estimate of course. I recommend having at least 3 reeds to rotate between day-to-day. If you have 2 reeds and alternate which you play each day, in theory, they should last 2 months! 3 reeds, in theory, should make them last at least 3 months if not longer!
- I know it's tempting to pick a favorite reed and only play on that one but make sure you give the others an opportunity! You'll develop your technique playing on less-than-perfect reeds and allow the better quality ones to last longer, also making them available in last-minute situations.
Hygiene
- Don't play your reed after recently eating. If you have eaten or drank something other than water recently, brush your teeth and use mouthwash to avoid contaminating the reed, and your instrument, with food debris. This can lead to buildup within the instrument, and on the reed, leading to numerous problems when done repetitively.
- MOLD can happen. If your blade becomes discolored, or if the inside of your reed looks dark, sadly this reed's time has come. If your reed starts molding, remove it from the case immediately then come back to www.swiftbassoon.com/reeds to purchase your new one(s)! Don't be skeptical. Mold can spread and is unsanitary. Play it safe and remove the reed containing it when you notice it. Don't play the waiting game and risk spreading to all of your other reeds.
Anything you were hoping to see here otherwise? Let me know! Send me an email through the Contact page, or include a note in your order with anything you were hoping to find information on!
Happy practicing
