Author:
Brian MacColl
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Date Posted: 14:15:13 03/20/03 Thu
Get a poker/mandrel. You'll be surprised how many reeds that were once feared dead magically spring to life with a good poke.
>The best thing to do, especially with Shepherds since
>they are plug and play, is to break in a couple of
>them at the same time. No matter what, you are going
>to have to shave a reed down a bit if you want to
>lighten the load, so to speak. If the reed hasn't
>lightened to a comfortable and optimal condition in 2
>weeks, shaving it bit by bit and keep playing will do
>the trick. Also, don't worry about the reeds not
>lasting very long as you will have been breaking in
>another to replace that one when it goes. I have
>never been a fan of keeping reeds going for years on
>end. I do not hack away at my reeds, but I always
>have two or three going at the same time. The minute
>my primary reed starts to go, it's back in the box and
>the second is brought out. It's a different school of
>thought, but why keep killing yourself and hurt your
>practice wrestling with a reed that is too tough for
>you. Shave it a bit, get some good work done in
>practice. I never let an $8.00 reed concern me much.
>Gut busters get you nowhere. The reed may last a
>year, but it broke in after 3 months, so did you get a
>solid year out of it after all? I judge reed life
>AFTER the "break-in" period. If you compare the two,
>the difference is minimal if you start counting AFTER
>the "break-in" period. And in that time, you played
>wonderfully and comfortably instead of wrestling with
>a tiny piece of cane. Good luck!
>
>Brian
>
>
>
>>How long does it take to break in a new reed. I play
>>a sheppard reed and it seems to take weeks to finally
>>feel comfortable playing. Does anyone have any tricks
>>other than shaving it down? I find if I sand or shave
>>a little the reed blows out too soon and I'm right
>>back breaking in a new one again.
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