Author: GMac
Date: 2005-12-29 17:01
A few things to add...
At the end of the practice session, soak the reed again, blow the water out from the tube end (blow it hard! This is great for cleaning the reed out) and then gently squeeze the sides of the reed to get it to open up more. Ever since I started doing that my reeds have lasted longer.
I know some people who swear by scraping cane off of all areas of the reed, then clipping the tip. This can extend your reed's life by some time! However, this assumes that you have basic reedmaking equipment.
Also, some people swear by cleaning out the insides of their reeds on a regular basis. Some people simply put a pipe cleaner through the reed, although I know if this is not done properly it can wreck the tip. Alternatively, get a flat plaque with pointed ends and use this to scrape out any gunk from inside the reed. This will add a bit of extra vibrancy.
Good luck! But honestly, I think the best solution is to get reeds from a different (i.e. handmade!) source and possibly order something harder. For the first couple of days, it will be hard to play but then the reed will likely last for much longer than your other reeds after that. This will also strengthen your embouchure!
Graham
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