How to Maintain and Use Saxophone Reeds

Each reed makes its own sound, with some presenting a different pitch than others. As long as you take care of your reed and use it properly, you can try many different types. Follow these tips to care for and use saxophone reeds.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Caring for the Reed

1. Choose a cheap reed when you are starting out since they break easily. Look for any flaws in the reed before you buy it. Examine the grain in the reed to see if its uneven.

2. Soak the reed in water before you use it for the first time so that it doesn't break apart. It will also play better.

3. Buy a small plastic reed case to hold your reed so that it doesn't get damaged or lost.

4. Moisturize the reed before each use by sucking on the reed or running it under cold water. The reed needs to be wet to make the correct sound.

5. Clip off the tip of the reed if the end becomes damaged, but don't take off too much or it won't work properly. You can also sandpaper the edges to make them smooth.

Using the Reed

6. Put the ligature on the mouth piece and loosen the screws.

7. Slide the reed into the ligature piece with the flat side down and the curved side up. Adjust the reed so that it is even with the end of the mouthpiece.

8. Tighten the screws on the ligature. Make sure the reed is even with the end of the mouthpiece.

9. Assemble the rest of saxophone. Blow into the mouthpiece using the reed to make the sound.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't let the reed dry out too much between uses. Reeds that dry out may become warped and won't work properly.
• Don't chew on the reed or it will break.