SINGLE REED REED BASICS

Prof. David Stambler, Penn State University 814-865-1252, dbs12@psu.edu

BRANDS
Start your students on good quality reeds as soon as possible - even beginners in elementary school - and teach them how to store and care for their reeds. Students are often given cheap, expendable reeds so that they wont quickly consume or destroy expensive ones. This is done at the expense of sound quality and learning of good habits. It reinforces the concept that reeds are expendable. If demonstrated and emphasized properly, students will quickly learn reed care. Good quality reeds typically seem more expensive when purchased at the local (over-priced) music retailer, especially when purchased individually. Large mail-order or internet sources are significantly cheaper, but sell by box of 5 or 10. One box of 10 Vandoren reeds, for example, is around $15-18 and should last a beginner a whole school year (or more!) There are numerous brands on the market now. Those below are listed for quick reference and high chance of satisfaction. Beginners typically succeed with strength 2.5 or 3 in most brands.

Vandoren:
Traditional blue box (primarily classical, but many players use these for jazz as well) V-16 (classical or jazz) Java (most suitable Jazz, also usable for classical) ZZ (Designed for jazz)

LaVoz
Many players prefer these for jazz. Medium or Medium Hard

Rico Concert Select Rico Jazz Select REED PREPARATION, CARE and STORAGE for BEGINNERS
This is an extremely important are for students to learn about. Students will learn to protectreeds from damage as well as maintain the playing quality of a reed. There are many elaborate systems of reed adjustment and storage, but this section is intended only to convey the basics for beginners. The publications below describe some of the more elaborate routines. If your middle and high school students do not have good fundamentals in this area, ITS NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN! SOAK IN WATER - Soak the reed in a cup of WATER* for about 5 minutes. - Water is less corrosive than saliva - Food and drink residue on the reed will be reduced - Some brands of plastic reed holders, such as Vito and Rico, are small enough that the entire thing may be placed n a cup of water. *Obviously, young students wielding water cups require monitoring!

PLACE REED FROM ABOVE The ligature should be placed on the mouthpiece first, THEN the reed should be inserted into the ligature/mouthpiece from above, bottom first. This will virtually eliminate reed damage during assembly. USE A CAP Students should always place the cap on the mouthpiece when the instrument is placed at rest, when students are moving about the performance space, or when sitting for long periods without playing. STORE THE REED When the student is finished playing, the reed should be carefully placed into a reed holder. Beginners should not leave the reed on the mouthpiece or use the small plastic sleeves that the reeds were packaged in. - The primary goal of reed storage for beginning and intermediate players is to protect and preserve the reed. - Advanced players will factor in consistency, humidification and longevity. Reed Storage Options Vito Reed Guards (plastic, 2-sided, holds 4). Great for beginners. Advanced players may store several of these in ziplock bag or salt box. Vandoren enclosed reed case (Holds 4). Excellent for storage close to performance time, as it holds the moisture very well.. When stored with cap on, may accelerate mold growth. Wallet style reed holder many reeds on a flat surface. Harrison, Vandoren Protec or Vandoren slotted reed holder Ziplock bag or Salt Box - Any smaller reed holder may be stored inside a Ziplock Bag or Salt Box, which is a Tupperware-type sealed container with a salt vessel or moisture control pack. This helps maintains constant humidity and helps reduce mold growth.

DIAGNOSING SOUND PROBLEMS IN YOUNG SAXOPHONE PLAYERS Below are listed common problems, not limited to reed issues, and several possible causes thereof.
Note is sounding an octave too high Octave key is stuck open/not sealing Instrument neck is twisted as to open octave key Too much embouchure pressure on lower lip/jaw Reed is too soft or too low Player is unable to produce any sound: Reed too soft: It is closing up under air pressure Reed is set too low on Mouthpiece Reed is damaged Reed is badly misaligned Player is blowing too hard Angle of mouthpiece from mouth is too steep Obstruction in bell Too much embouchure pressure on lower lip/jaw Too little mouthpiece in the embouchure The player's hands are bumping a side key Player can produce only "Air" sound: Reed is too hard Reed is set extremely too high or too low Player can produce only "Dead" tone or "groan" tone A key is stuck open Hands are bumping side keys Obstruction in Bell Reed is damaged Reed is badly misaligned The player's hands are bumping a side key Excessive Squeaks Too much mouthpiece in the embouchure Broken/split reed Reed is too soft Player is blowing too hard Lower lip out "pouted" out Badly malformed embouchure The players hands are bumping a side key Raucous Tone Too much mouthpiece in the embouchure Badly malformed embouchure Player is blowing too hard

SINGLE REED RESOURCES

Reed Publications Bonade, Daniel. Clarinetists Compendium. Kenosha, WI: LeBlanc, 1960 Grabner, Walter. Making Clarinet Reeds by Hand. Clarinet Xpress, 1999 Guy, Larry. Selection, Adjustment, and Care of Single Reeds. Rivernote Press, 1997. Mauk,Steven, (Pedagogical handouts) Saxophone Reed Placement & Adjustment, and Reeds: Selecting, Testing, and Adjusting Opperman, Kalmen. Handbook for Making and Adjusting Single Reeds -Revised Edition M. Baron Company, Inc Ormand, Fred. The Single Reed Adjustment Manual. Amilcare Publications, 2000 Platamone, Vito. Clarinet and Saxophone Reed Adjustments. Stier, Charles, with Charles Mansfield. Clarinet Reeds : Definitive Instruction in an Elusive Art. 1991. (Independent pressing, no publisher). Teal, Larry. The Art of Saxophone Playing. Summy Birchard, 1963. Kirck, George T.The Reed Guide: A Handbook for Modern Reed Working for All Single Reed Woodwind Instruments. 1983, ReedMate Company. Bowen, Glenn, Making and Adjusting Clarinet Reeds Shall-u-mo Publications,1980.

Essential Reed Tools Reed Knife - Suggested brand: Bhosys. Right-handed or left-handed beveled blade edge, other edge square. Approximately $30 Reed Clipper - Suggested brand: Cordier or Vandoren. Approximately $35 Sandpaper - Wet/dry, 300-600 grit Glass - Flat plane, Approx. 4 x 6 piece with ground edges

Optional Tools Sharpening stone - with honing oil, for the sharpening stone. Reed Rush - For more subtle adjustments than a knife. Emery board - Sandpaper alternative. "Bastard" file - for flattening the back of reeds.