Soak your reeds in plain tap waterbefore each use. This is preferable to holding them in your mouthto get them wet. Your reeds will last longer, andplay better when you soak them first in plain tapwater, rather than holding them in your mouth, before usingthem..
Similarly, you may ask, how long should you wet your reed?
Reed preparation Many musicians place the reed in their mouths tomoisten them with saliva. In preparing the reed for playing,water is less corrosive than saliva. Soaking a reed in waterfor about five minutes is a good alternative tosaliva.
Beside above, how long do reeds last for a clarinet? For those just starting out, reeds can last up tosix months. Once you play and practice more frequently, this“cycle” can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks. Onceyou become more comfortable with the clarinet, you'll have ageneral idea of when you should be replacing yourreeds.
Likewise, people ask, do you need to wet a synthetic Reed?
Synthetic reeds are consistent. You don'tneed to do much to them and they play out of the box.Synthetic reeds are not affected by temperature or humidity.They don't get warped or dry out when not playing yoursax.
How do you keep Reed moist?
Fill a plastic jar with warm water and soakthe reeds in the jar for 2 hours. Put thereeds back in their plastic covers. Dump thewater out of the jar, but leave just a little bit atthe bottom to keep in some moisture. Putthe reed covers (with the reeds inside them) inthe of the plastic jar and seal thejar.
Related Question Answers
How do you keep reeds from getting moldy in clarinet?
How to Get Rid of Mold on Reeds - Throw the reed away.
- Soak the reed in one of these: hydrogen peroxide and water in a1:2 ratio. mouthwash (be sure to rinse with water afterward) vodka.highly diluted vinegar. two drops of oil of oregano in water.bleach (be sure to rinse VERY thoroughly)
- Get a new mold-free reed case.
What size Reed should I use for clarinet?
Most reed manufacturers sell reeds instrengths from 1 to 5, often in half-steps. A 1 would be thesoftest, and a 5 would be the hardest. Some brands use"soft", "medium", and "hard" instead. For a beginner, a 2, or 2 /12would be the best starting point.Why does my clarinet squeak?
A firm embouchure is very important to producing a goodclarinet sound, but avoid using too much jaw pressure. Ifyou bite into the reed, you will squeak. Keep your bottomlip over your bottom teeth. Tonguing too hard can causesqueaking as well, especially if your reed is not properlyset on the mouthpiece.Can you use clarinet reed on alto sax?
Alto saxophone reeds will work on an altoclarinet. Soprano sax reeds work on sopranoclarinets but they're not ideal. Clarinet reeds arecut to have more wood in the center of the reed, they areintentionally made that way to make them a little more resonant andless thin and bright.What are reeds used for?
Dried reed stems have been used formillennia as thatching and construction material, in basketry, forarrows and pens, and in musical instruments (see reedinstruments).Is clarinet easier than saxophone?
Saxophone is simply an easier instrumentthan clarinet overall, and is more commonly used in rockmusic. It's the natural choice. That being said, oboists often findclarinet easier because the embouchure is a bit firmer,which they're used to.What does a thicker reed do?
In general, a thinner reed, say 2 or 2.5, willhave a brighter tone. Thinner reeds vibrate more easily, sothey are good for beginners. Reeds with a thicknessof 4 or 5 are harder and thus require more skill to sound,but the tone is fatter, bigger, and warmer.Are synthetic reeds better?
Synthetic reeds are durable, last longer, and areimpervious to temperature and humidity, but some players may thinkthat synthetic reeds offer less control. Our best advice istry many types out and use what works best for you!How long do plastic oboe reeds last?
10 -15 hours
What are synthetic reeds made of?
Cane reeds are made from Arundo donax, atall perennial cane that grows in damp soils, while syntheticreeds are made of man-made materials that imitatethe quality and playability of a cane reed.What is the difference between a clarinet and an oboe?
While the clarinet and the oboe are bothmusical instruments of the woodwind family, there are a fewcharacteristics that differentiate them from each other. Theclarinet has a cylindrical bore and uses a single reed whilethe oboe is an instrument that uses a doublereed.How do reeds work?
How do reeds work? A reed consists of oneor two blades of a material like cane or plastic, and when air isforced through it, the air pressure causes it to close. As soon asit closes, the drop in pressure caused by it closing, along withthe air pressure inside the reed, pulls it right backopen. 
