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Re: Break-in process

Author: William
Date: 2007-01-14 22:58

I play test reeds for about one minute, select the reeds that have potential and place them in my Harrison reed case (on glass). The "too soft" reeds get tossed--the "too hard" ones go under my Reed Wizard and usually become candidates. Then, I let the selected reeds rest for a day or two before retesting them, again for about two minutes each. Important!!! Every time I play test any reed, I use saliva (one minute, no more) to moisten it (never, ever water!!) and rub the vamp before playing to seal the pores against overabsorbtion. Then they "rest" for a few more days. After that, I just start using them and adjusting them as I need them. This whole process takes about 5 to 10 days and seems to work. I always have about six reed candidates in my Harrison case along with six "veterens" for concertizing and practice. I try never to practice with reeds that are "past their prime".

And, I carry a second Harrison case to preserve those "talented" reeds that are past their prime but just too good to be thrown away. It's nice to always have something to fall back on.

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