How should you break a reed in for the saxophone?

Question

I need to to know the best way to break a reed in without wasting or ruining themin any way.

Answer 1

Breaking In A New Reed

We suggest that you break the reeds in by first soaking them for about 2-4 minutes in lukewarm to warm water, and making sure that the whole vamp, and not just the tip alone, gets wet (a reed that is too dry or only wet at the very tip might tend to squeak). Some players, especially in dry weather, prefer a little more soaking time and a some others like immersing the whole reed in the water. Then again, if you soak it for too long, it may end up becoming waterlogged, so try a balanced approach. And make sure you wet the reed each succeeding time you play thereafter, though you may find that as it gets broken in, less soaking time will be necessary.

After the soaking is operation is done, place the reed you want to prepare on glass or a similar flat surface and massage it (starting from the back of the vamp slope) with your finger or fingers several strokes forward towards the tip, in order to help close off the fiber ends and stabilize the cane.

Then comes the break-in secret, which is certainly no original idea of mine, but a time tested practice for reed longevity:

Break in the reeds you prepare by only playing them at no louder than mp-m and for the first day only a few minutes and maybe 5-10 minutes the second day.

By breaking them in at mezzo or softer and for not too long in the first couple of days, the reeds should last longer and be more stable for full bore playing later. Playing them all out in fortissimo from the first 2 days might overstress the tips.

Answer 2

I played a Tenor in Jr Hi and Hi school.My band instructor told me to keep them soft.I asked how,and the instructor took an extra reed and sat it on his tongue and said with saliva.so any time I could I had my reed in my mouth.rarely did one split

Answer 3

Just use the Vandoran brand reeds. They're awesome. All you have to do is stick one in your mouth a couple minutes to moisten it, then its ready to play.

Answer 4

Contact my good buddy Bob Corbit, sax man unreal. Toured with Ike and Tina Turner. Session musician in Madison, WI area. [e-mail] and tell him Mad Mixer Mike sent you!

Answer 5

Literally suck on it for a long time--just be careful with your tongue, so that you don't break the end off.

Answer 6

don't get your question
huh!!!