10 Tips for Reed Success (for Students AND Parents)
by Betty Bley
Date Posted: October 24, 2018

Betty Bley is a Vandoren Artist-Clinician. The goal of the Artist-Clinician program is to enhance the quality of the music experience in your school. This is made possible by Vandoren and a network of woodwind professionals around the country with a passion for music education and performance.
1. Storage
Always store your reeds on a flat surface (NOT your mouthpiece!).
2. Humidity
Always store your reeds in a humidity-consistent environment. (Your case is fine as long as you don’t leave it in a car or other very wet, dry, hot, or cold area).
3. Ligature First
Put your ligature over your mouthpiece first; then slide the reed into position. This eliminates the possibility of damaging fragile reed tips due to over-enthusiastic ligature placement.
4. Center the Reed
Always make sure your reed is lined up correctly on your mouthpiece: Centered from left to right at the top and bottom of the reed, with just a tiny bit of mouthpiece showing above the reed tip. The top of the ligature should always be below the shaved part of the reed.
5. Quality First
Always play on the highest quality reeds you can! They are, after all, the vibrating element that produces your sound.
"Breaking in new reeds gradually by rotating through several reeds during a practice session will help your reeds last longer." - Betty Bley
6. Slow and Steady
Reeds always go “bad” after extensive use, but you can help prolong their life with proper care, storage, and even some slight alterations (if you’re brave enough!). Breaking in new reeds gradually by rotating through several reeds during a practice session will help your reeds last longer.
7. Reed Good or Bad?
Always allow at least 3 days of playing before you decide whether a reed is “good” or not. They need a chance to “break in” and get used to vibrating. They also need to get used to the constant change in humidity that comes with getting damp when being played and then drying out when not being played.
8. Alterations?
Never attempt to alter a reed without proper tools.
9. A Natural Product
Reeds are organic products; therefore, no two will ever be exactly alike.
10. Strength Does not Equal Skill
Reed strength is NOT a measure of playing ability. Different mouthpieces and different players require different reed strengths, and different types of reeds have different strengths. The Pink Panther theme was recorded using a 1.5!