Working on and Chosing a Reed



This section is taken from "Peter Ponzol's Guide to Working on Reeds". It will explain to you how to properly "break in" a reed.

Cane is a natural product and no one can guarantee that a reed will play well.  I use a system that follows Peter Ponzol's guidelines which goes something like this.  Of course, the best results will only be obtained with cane that has been properly aged.  Players from around the world report that using this method with Peter Ponzol reeds gives them at least 70% to 80% of reeds that play well.

1.  Soak all reeds in a glass mixed with water and 25% Listerine.  The reason for the Listerine is simply the fact that there is a lot of bacteria in your saliva which will shorten the life of the cane.  The Listerine will help to kill the bacteria.  After soaking the reeds for 20 minutes, play each one for about one or two minutes.  Dry the reeds and place them either in a reed case or on a piece of glass.  Repeat this process for three days.  After the third day, the reeds should be "broken in", and will have come to a slightly softer strength.  If you find that the strength you buy plays well right away, they will be too soft after they are "played in".

2.  Separate the reeds that play well, those are ready to use.  Reeds that are too stiff, or do not respond well, can be lightly sanded using 220 grain sandpaper for wood.  Sand only the back of the reed (the part that goes against the mouthpiece), moving in a small circle, not back and forth as it's easy to break the tip.  Using light pressure, make 10 circles and play the reed again.  As soon as a reed begins to improve, stop working on it and play it for a few minutes.  It's easy to take material off, but it's impossible to put it back.  Reeds that are too soft are best given to someone who plays softer reeds.

3.  One mistake most players make is playing the same reed every day until it dies.  Reeds will continue to get softer as they are played.  As a reed gets softer, without realizing it, we make small adjustments to our embouchure in order to compensate for this increased softness.  One day it is no longer possible to compensate for this embouchure.  When we try to replace this reed, all new reeds seem too stiff, because we have actually changed our embouchure.  The solution to this situation is to have a selection of "broken in" reeds, and to alternate, playing a different reed each day.  This way, as soon as one reed begins to get softer you will notice it in comparison to the next one.  You embouchure will thank you and you will always have a supply of reeds to play.

Reeds are a major problem today since the demand for good aged cane exceeds the supply.  Saxophone sales are increasing daily so the situation is not going to improve.  The only was we can be assured of having reeds that play is to buy reeds made from the best cane and to do all the work necessary to get the best results.

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