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Re: Reed Squeak

Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-08-11 05:25

I think most would say you soak the thin end (refer to Ed Palanker's website) rather than the butt end. I place the butt end in water for a few seconds, then turn it around for a 2 minute soaking of the tip and vamp.

WOW........you have six to eight month old reeds that you've played on for that amount of time?!!!? I am surprised that you are not getting a sound more akin to the whine of a jet engine out of those - squeaks would be preferable!

Look, I'm all for getting the most out of your equipment but I have never experienced a reed that would go more than four months (and that's with a full rotation of 10 and very little play time). A month and a half is about the practical life of a rotated reed (and I mean playing one reed ONCE every six days or so).

As for the LOOOOONG soaking times, I think more that five minutes (on a really seasoned reed) is overkill. I have been "called away" while a reed was soaking for longer (more like 20 minutes) but approached the situation with trepidation, expecting the worst. Thankfully, well broken in reeds survive periods like this, but DO NOT make it a habit (there is no analog in a playing environment and actually playing situations are hard on reeds for the lack of moisture involved).

..............Paul Aviles

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