ALL ABOUT REEDS
The following is some reed advice from Daryl Durran
Q. Are reeds really that important?
A. While not even the finest bassoon reed ill overcome the obstacles that a young player may encounter due to a poorly maintained instrument or incorrect perfomance techniques, an adequate reed will make progess possible and certainly make playing the bassoon a lot more fun. Locating acceptable reeds, or creating them from unacceptable ones, may seem a challenging task, but it is resolvable with just a little effort.
Q. Cane bassoon reeds are so expensive, but I've seen plastic reeds at the store. Can't I just get my student one of those?
A. Generally I do not advocate the use of plastic reeds. They have a strong tendency towards flatness, have virtually no upper register, and produce an uncharacteristic metallic tone. Fortunately, cane bassoon reeds last a long time (much longer than oboe reeds). With care they will play for weeks, even months. The best solution to this problem is for your bassoon players to be studying provately with a competent bassoonist who can make your players reeds.
Here are some other frequently asked questions from parents (answers given by Saline School Music Department)
Q. What brand of reeds should I purchase?
A. As Daryl stated above, the best way to go is have your child study with a professional bassoonist that can make them reeds. If for some reason you need to purchase a reed locally, you can go to Music Go Round and purchase JONES BRAND MEDIUM to MEDIUM SOFT REEDS.
IF POSSIBLE HOWEVER:
The addresses below are for double reed specialty houses. Their reeds are handmade and will represent a better product than "store-bought reeds." Your local music store may be able to order from these sources also. Order Medium Strength Reeds from these retailers
Charles Double Reed Co. / P.O. Box 2610 / Conway, NH / 03818 - - - - (603)447-1110
Jones Double-Reed Products / Box 3888 / Spokane, WA / 99220-1224 - - - - (509)747-1224
Forrest's Music / 1849 University Avenue / Berkley, CA / 94703 - - - - (415)845-7178
Arundo Reeds & Cane / 18081 NM Dixie Mt. Rd. / Hillsboro, OR / 97124 - - - - (503)647-0958
Edmund Nielson Woodwind Instrument Service / 61 East Park Blvd. / Villa Park, IL / 60181 - - - - (703)833-5676
Q. What does the "strength" of the reed mean?
A. The strength refers to how thick the cane is on the reed. The harder the reed, the thicker the cane. If you start your student on a reed that is too soft they will struggle to make good sounds because their embouchure is too strong for the reed and they will constantly be closing the reed off. If you start your student on a reed that is too hard they will fatigue quicker and struggle with making any sounds at all because they do not have the facial muscles to control that hard of a reed.
Q. Will my student use the same "strength" reed forever?
A. As your student continues to progress and play the bassoon, they may need to move up to a stronger reed. They will know when the time is right because they will begin to overpower the reed, consistantly close the reed, or struggle in other ways. If they are constantly frustrated with the state of their reeds, they may need to experiment with a different strength reed.
Q. What are reed cases for?
A. Reed cases help prolong the life of your bassoon reed by not only protecting them in a case, but also allows them to dry out properly after each use, thus preventing mold. They also allow your student to have multiple reeds so they can rotate which reeds they use, again prolonging the life of their reeds.
CARE AND FEEDING OF YOUR REEDS
Bassoon reeds are expensive! We want you to be armed with knowledge that will help prolong the life of your reeds and save you money!
Q. Are there any adjustments I can make to my reed?
A. The two most common reed issues are that the reed is too closed or too open.
This reed is too closed. AFTER SOAKING, use the corners of the reed to gently "bounce" the reed open.
This reed is too open. AFTER SOAKING, gently bounce the two blades closer together.
The reliable Daryl Durran gives some advice to add considerable time to the life of bassoon reeds:
1. Soak up reeds in water - 35 mm film cans are water tight and can be kept in the instrument case so water is always available. When soaking, dip both the blade and butt ends in the water. When the wires are snug, the reed is ready to play.
2. Buy a reed case. This $10 purchase will keep reeds from damage and allow proper drying. NEVER store reeds in the airtight container in which reeds are sold - the cane will mold.
3. Use good judgement - accidents will happen, but don't allow your student to walk around with their reeds on their bocals. Whenever movement is necessary, have students put their reeds in their reed boxes. When walking with bassoons out of their cases, the bocal should be placed in the bell, straight end first, and the instrument held vertically.
4. Keep reeds clean - Especially if you practice after dinner, have your players brush their teeth before playing! Big Macs and other organic materials will quickly clog the pores of the cane and shorten the life of the reed.