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Re: How Long Should a Reed Last?

Author: rgombine
Date: 2004-05-02 06:19

How long a reed lasts depends on the type of playing you are doing and the frequency/duration. Really loud symphonic playing will blow through a reed more quickly then quieter fare. Hardness plays into this as well.

Also, in my experience reeds that are made very quickly also tend to die fairly quickly (anyone else experience this?). I had always assumed this was because of undue stress on fibers in a made which is rapidly hacked into existence. Just a theory.

Of course, how long a reed "lasts" depends on what you mean by "lasts." A reed which is no longer good enough to perform on may still be more than adequate for practice or rehearsal. You might consider using reeds which are still fairly playable but past their prime for reh. and practice, while keeping your "good reed (s) " for performances.

As has been mentioned elsewhere, it's best to soak reeds in water, not saliva as salive will degrade the fibers more rapidly.

Finally, I have heard that some have had success in preserving particularly good reeds by storing them in the refrigerator (apparently bacteria are involved in the degredation of reed fibers and this helps slow that process down)..

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