How to Condition Baritone Saxophone Reeds

Protecting and getting the most use from your baritone saxophone reed go hand in hand. With wooden or bamboo reeds, it is important to condition them before you play. Conditioning the reeds with cork grease will help keep them from breaking down and cracking so easily.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Find a clean flat surface, like a table or counter and lay the reed out, flat unfinished side on the bottom. You should be looking at the top of the reed, half will be finished, the other half will be the tapered end you play on.
2. Secure the reed on the finished end, or the butt of the reed, with your thumb or finger. You will be pushing the cork grease into the reed and sealing any holes with a lot of pressure and will need to have a good handle on the reed.
3. Apply a generous amount of cork grease onto the tapered end of the reed. Move the tube of cork grease from near the slim end toward the finished butt of the reed to start working the cork grease into the holes.
4. Take your finger and carefully, but firmly rub the cork grease into the reed, starting near the tapered end and toward the butt of the reed, just as you applied the cork grease from the tube. You will see and feel the cork grease almost disappear as you fill the holes in the reed with the cork grease. Repeat once or twice or until the reed will not take in any more grease.
5. Close off and finish conditioning your reed by giving a few firm swipes with your finger or thumb in the opposite direction that you applied the grease. Starting in the middle of the reed, push out slowly all the way to the end of the reed. This will also help take off any excess cork grease from the reed before you play.