Did you ever wonder how to better recognize a "good" reed. Reeds
come in all variations and I'll review some of that here to better
acquiant yourself to reeds. We won't review particular brands
unless someone has a particular question and I happen to have one
handy (or other posters may post their findings).
It is always generally good knowledge to understand how reeds are
made. but reeds are cut from between the joints. and each section is of a
different thickness and quality.
Ignoring the quality element of it, it also contains veins. These
veins can be large or small or a mixture. Normally, higher quality
reeds are selected from small vein cuts. and cheaper from larger
vein cuts.
As example. take one of your warmed up reeds (soaked in water,
played, etc) and hold it up against a light (or on a piece of glass
against a light). Take a look at the veins in it.
Notice the shape of the cut on the reed. Compare it to a different
brand, or a different hardness, etc.
Now look at the butt end (opposite the tip). Compare those reeds
once again. pay particular attention to the thickness of the reeds
on the sides - are they the same? The height in the middle can be
compared to different reeds.
The reeds that seem to play the best are the ones that are much more
symetric left to right without a big height variance in the middle.
At least that is my observation - no scientific analysis done on
this.
So basically, you can hand select reeds at the store and pick a
winner every time. you just have to learn based on the reeds that
you use, what qualities does that reed have which will help you
select better reeds in the future.
So there a quick overview of reeds.
have fun
come in all variations and I'll review some of that here to better
acquiant yourself to reeds. We won't review particular brands
unless someone has a particular question and I happen to have one
handy (or other posters may post their findings).
It is always generally good knowledge to understand how reeds are
made. but reeds are cut from between the joints. and each section is of a
different thickness and quality.
Ignoring the quality element of it, it also contains veins. These
veins can be large or small or a mixture. Normally, higher quality
reeds are selected from small vein cuts. and cheaper from larger
vein cuts.
As example. take one of your warmed up reeds (soaked in water,
played, etc) and hold it up against a light (or on a piece of glass
against a light). Take a look at the veins in it.
Notice the shape of the cut on the reed. Compare it to a different
brand, or a different hardness, etc.
Now look at the butt end (opposite the tip). Compare those reeds
once again. pay particular attention to the thickness of the reeds
on the sides - are they the same? The height in the middle can be
compared to different reeds.
The reeds that seem to play the best are the ones that are much more
symetric left to right without a big height variance in the middle.
At least that is my observation - no scientific analysis done on
this.
So basically, you can hand select reeds at the store and pick a
winner every time. you just have to learn based on the reeds that
you use, what qualities does that reed have which will help you
select better reeds in the future.
So there a quick overview of reeds.
have fun