A. Reed diffusers are typically expected to work for between two and four months, but determining an exact time frame is nearly impossible. Synthetic vs. Natural Reeds. Students are typically able to have one reed last the entire scholastic semester or even longer. Normal reed life can be anywhere from five seconds to a month. While the lifetime of the reeds differs based on the amount it is used, most musicians agree that with proper care, one Légère reed will last for months. Aside from catastrophic damage, a well-adjusted reed lasts through three distinct phases. Some musicians even make the switch from cane to synthetic reeds because they’re tired of dealing with the “fragile” nature of cane. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the Saxophonics community. At some point though, the synthetic materials do get “get tired” sooner. looking at, in trying these new ones out? While all reeds are packaged in individual plastic sleeves, these sleeves aren’t ideal for long-term storage. The Easy reeds are the perfect reed for the beginner, child or ageing piper. Whether or not reeds need to be broken in is up for debate, but cane reeds do tend to have a longer “breaking in” period than those that are synthetic. I tried Legere reeds a year ago and was not totally convinced, but they seem to finally have found the right formula with a new model, the Legere Signature. Do the aftermarket ones last longer than stock or about the same? You could read and re-read this article, do independent research, list out the pros and cons, make an informed decision, and once you actually play with a new type of reed realize it was the wrong choice. I didn’t play mine everyday but did use it as my main reed during this period of 11 months. Whether you’re purchasing a new box of reeds for your saxophone or clarinet, you’re faced with the same dilemma: should you purchase cane or synthetic reeds? If this does fully solve the problem of the reed being warped, soaking the saxophone reed in alcohol has been known to do what water cannot. Since they’re more durable than conventional reeds, synthetic reeds are often preferred by marching bands or for use in other outdoor events. Breaking In Period. If all else fails, a synthetic reed may be the best solution. How long will one Légère reed last? If you take care of them well (get a reed case!) Many boxes of 10 reeds will have 2-3 great reeds, 3-4 playable reeds and a few that I throw away seconds after testing them. Im thinking about getting the V-force 3s but I dont know how long they last. the manual says to change reed … But my tone stays. Mine last about 6 months each. Have a question or need more guidance? MUSIC & ARTS IS A NATIONAL MUSIC RETAILER WITH RESOURCES FOR PARENTS, STUDENTS, EDUCATORS AND MUSICIANS. Synthetic Reed Recommendations. Idk. I'd say 6 months or so is a good bet. And what money am I Another alternative to purchasing natural saxophone reeds is the synthetic saxophone reed. Some musicians even make the switch from cane to synthetic reeds because they’re tired of dealing with the “fragile” nature of cane. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Cost $15 but if it lasts as long as common lore indicates it will be worth it. I am disappointed af and I just wanted to know if it's normal and how long do yours last … How long does an oboe last? Why is this, and can anything be done to preserve the hair extensions for a … Some notice a difference right away, while others don’t notice a huge difference at all. The synthetic materials have a consistent density, strength and durability which is impossible to get from natural cane. That being said, I certainly noticed a big difference when I got my new one. At the end of the day, synthetic reeds are more durable than cane. “YES, or No,” I have tried them years ago, I used Rico, I think they were plastic covered “brown”, what I’d like to find Recently, synthetic reeds have been made from synthetic polymer compounds [7] , and from a combination of cane and synthetics [8] . Generally they’ll last a couple of weeks or so, going into and then coming out of their “prime” condition with constant use, having first whittled them down and broken them in for maybe a couple of weeks beforehand. Remember, when selecting reeds you should take the above into consideration, and remember it’s ultimately a matter of personal preference. However, if this life may last 10 to 20 times longer than that of a natural material, I am ready to pay 10 times more than for a classical wood reed. I have heard some synthetic reeds are suppose to last a year and some at least 6 months. When’s the Right Time to Replace Clarinet Reeds. They have a good volume and will last much longer than the conventional reeds. Your email address will not be published. Ultimately, deciding between cane and synthetic reeds is a matter of personal preference. The tone wasn't right there with a natural reed but it was a great deal closer to a quality sound than I was led to believe was the case. I would recommend the brand VanDoren. A long-lasting and relieable reed is valuable, if it has a similar quality as traditional reeds. Same with reeds: unfortunately we can’t say whether a reed will last two weeks or three months. From cracking and warping to deterioration due to the digestive enzymes found in saliva, there’s a lot to worry about when it comes to cane reeds. Plus, they won’t sound bad when you step off a plane and enter an environment where the humidity levels are different than your hometown. My one and only reed (a soft from my local music store) has worked fine. (Single Reeds) Is it time for a new reed? To be fair, it’s not always easy to pick out bad reeds visually, so even boxes that pass through a visual inspection before being sent to stores may still contain a handful of “bad” reeds. Synthetic reeds are consistent. I play almost every day and my reeds … Should I replace mine? Thank You. A typical soft reed would last a few weeks to a month if played on a regular basis. So, head to your local Music & Arts or browse our shop online, purchase both types of reeds, and test them out until something feels right. Just bought a new Legere after playing on the same one since last March. At Music & Arts, we’re dedicated to bringing you one of the largest offerings of marching band and orchestral instruments, products, and accessories in the world. I've been using a few legere signatures on and off for about 5 years. Another advantage of the Legere and Fibracell reeds is that they last a long time. Recently purchased a Fibercell synthetic reed - I was amazed at the tone quality and playability. I recently purchased a Legere Signature reed for tenor sax and was wondering if there is any limit to its "life"? Since synthetic reeds are manufactured with durability in mind, they won’t get warped or dry out when you aren’t playing your saxophone or clarinet. How long do VENN reeds last? When it comes to sound quality and playability, try experimenting with both cane and synthetic reeds to see if you notice a difference. they will last a long time, but the corners can bend and you can get splits in them. Seven tips on how to make it last longer from professional oboists. From cracking and warping to deterioration due to the digestive enzymes found in saliva, there’s a lot to worry about when it comes to cane reeds. I've been playing for a few weeks now. Synthetic reeds lack the 'great' response you find in those few great cane reeds, but also lack the throw away need. Although synthetic reeds are made of composite materials that are designed and manufactured to imitate the quality and sound of cane reeds, most players still prefer the sound (and response/playability) of cane reeds. The Medium/Easy are t he best selling of the Surefire reeds. Head to your local Music & Arts store or contact us directly for more information. If your child is a student, a great place to start is by speaking with their music teacher or band instructor for personalized advice. As a one-stop shop for students, parents, and music educators, you’ll find cane and synthetic reeds from some of the world’s top manufacturers, including, VENN Advanced Synthetic Reeds – Back, and Better Than Ever, VENN Advanced Synthetic Reed – A New Species of Reed, When to Upgrade Your Reeds, Strings, and Mouthpieces, It’s All About the Mouthpiece & Reed: Finding the Right Ones for Your Students. The only synthetic reed I have found so far that sounds very close to a cane reed, and responds in the same way is the Legere Signature. Over the years, we've done our fair share of oil changes, including a first attempt that left a small scar on one of The Drive's editor's hands. out is if they have improved them since then, and if any Pro Sax player recommends them? Since they’re more durable than conventional reeds, synthetic reeds are often preferred by marching bands or for use in other outdoor events. From sound quality to durability, we’ll cover the pros and cons of cane and synthetic reeds so you can choose the type that’s right for you. They have a nice tone and will give results that will last and last when compared to cane reeds. We highly recommend visiting the strength comparison charts for your voice before choosing your VENN reed strength. Buy high-quality reeds to start with. Your music teacher should be able to make a recommendation, but even their recommendation may be wrong for you. Our reeds are machined on an expensive CNC machine, not stamped or molded like conventional plastic parts. Synthetic reeds are more expensive, but they last roughly 15 times longer than a cane reed, and many people feel that it's more practical to spend twenty dollars on a reed that will last for a month instead of twenty dollars on a new box of reeds every week. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. I play the alto and I've recently had 2 reeds, one after another, that started being unresponsive after like 1-2 weeks or so (each). Of course a synthetic reed, too, has a restricted life span. Since cane reeds are made from natural products (a grass plant that’s grown in moist soils, to be exact), it’s more difficult for manufacturers to control things like quality and consistency. I have a Honda CR125R from 2001, I have installed boyesen power reeds, works well, but how long do these reeds last? Hi, everyone. Probably depends how much slap tonguing and altissimo you play too! 19:46 on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 kmcintyre (9 points) Posted by kmcintyre. But for some musicians, nothing is quite like the “real” thing. There were some notes that didn’t seem to have the same resonance as they do for me on the cane reed. What is a synthetic reed? Lots of variables at stake like how much you actually play. 6. How long do reed diffusers last? Yes, recommended to buy anew, unless you're on and off with a multitude of different reeds, Mine last between 6 months and a year usually (depending on how much I play, and how well I take care of my reeds.). I tried searching but came up with nothing so I thought Id ask. For ALL Saxophonists -- professionals, hobbyists, and appreciators alike. What I mean by that is they won’t last for a long playing session. It all depends on the amount of use it has been getting. They are great and well worth the few extra dollars spent. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. Mine last between 6 months and a year usually (depending on how much I play, and how well I take care of my reeds.) One of the reeds I use is a synthetic and I do lots of altissimo and slap. At the end of the day, synthetic reeds are more durable than cane. Plus, they won’t sound bad when you step off a plane and enter an environment where the humidity levels are different than your hometown. These ratings are only recommendations typically applied to "normal driving," and do not reflect severe driving conditions that may require more-frequent oil changes. But, with that in mind, the differences in sound and playability tends to vary from musician to musician. So that one lasted 11 months. Clarinet players of every skill level have had success with Vandorens, but there are other brands out there as well. I’m playing on reeds that I first got over a year ago. Manufacturers' recommended synthetic-oil change intervals vary greatly. For decades, synthetic reed manufacturers have been experimenting with different synthetic materials, ranging from your everyday plastic to advanced aerospace materials, in order to create a reed that’s comparable to cane. They may sound and play slightly better, but they’re more susceptible to damage from changes in temperature and humidity. It says online that it only lasts for three months though! WITH OVER 250+ STORES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND THE LARGEST PRIVATE LESSON PROGRAM IN THE UNITED STATES, MUSIC & ARTS IS AN AUTHORITY ON MUSIC EDUCATION AND A RESOURCE FOR NEW AND EXPERIENCED MUSICIANS ALIKE. Reeds made with synthetic materials can guarantee a significantly better performance than natural cane reeds. If you do choose to purchase cane reeds and would like to break them in, the following methods have all been recommended by experts: rub/polish the reed with your thumb; rub with VERY fine sandpaper; wet the reed for about five minutes–just avoid saliva if you can; play for short periods of time and then let the reed “rest” before playing again; do not play loudly during the initial periods of play. VENN reeds tend to run slightly harder than premium cane reeds and other synthetic options that are available. As a one-stop shop for students, parents, and music educators, you’ll find cane and synthetic reeds from some of the world’s top manufacturers, including Vandoren and Rico. They don't seem to degrade. I'm going to disagree with the others.. playing one hard for a few hours a day, I get a couple months out of one. At Music & Arts, we’re dedicated to bringing you one of the largest offerings of marching band and orchestral instruments, products, and accessories in the world. You’ve probably heard good things about both, and aren’t quite sure who or what to believe. Since they’re more durable than conventional reeds, synthetic reeds are often preferred by marching bands or for use in other outdoor events. If you need some tips on breaking in your reeds, speak with your clarinet or saxophone teacher for more information. I started to think that maybe my six-year-old oboe is not sounding as good as […] If you strive for consistency from box to box and reed to reed, and don’t want to spend a whole lot of time testing reeds and tossing the low quality ones out, synthetic reeds may be worth a shot. (mainly just a personal preference) although i am in marching band and i do know some ppl who use them on clarinets adn they have found that the reeds last a long time and a hard to snag and break. How long do synthetic hair extensions last? Off-brand or generic reeds simply do not play as well or last as long as their more expensive counterparts. Whether or not reeds need to be broken in is up for debate, but cane reeds do tend to have a longer “breaking in” period than those that are synthetic. In order to make the best decision, you should play your clarinet or saxophone using both types of reeds and evaluate which you like better. While most musicians use basic cane reeds, synthetic reeds are becoming a popular alternative, for reasons that range from a longer shelf-life to greater consistency from reed to reed. You don’t need to do much to them and they play out of the box. Discontinued 1/4 … After all, synthetic mouthpieces exist, so why wouldn’t synthetic reeds? Pro Tips To Change Synthetic Oil. Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. level 1 pedro6285 How long have you guys gotten your reeds to last? Since synthetic reeds are manufactured with durability in mind, they won’t get warped or dry out when you aren’t playing your saxophone or clarinet. How do VENN Reed strengths compare? The synthetic reed seemed to vibrate and buzz more on my lower lip than a cane reed (at least that is how it felt to my lower lip.) If you take care of them well (get a reed case!) i would never use synthetic reeds. What is the difference between Classic, Signature and European cuts? They may sound and play slightly better, but they’re more susceptible to damage from changes in temperature and humidity. For this reason, synthetic reeds are often preferred by beginner musicians–at least at the very beginning–until they’ve learned how to differentiate the good reeds from the bad. For more experienced players, try a harder reed (3-3.5). How do Légère Reeds differ from cane reeds? Légère Reeds online store is currently available in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In fact there are many steps in the manufacturing process, and the entire process takes approximately two weeks. how long do reeds last and how do you know if a reed is DOA? Most synthetic oils, such as Castrol, are rated to last between 10,000 and 15,000 miles or six months. I should add that after those few months, the reed isn't broken or anything, but the tone starts to suffer. A reed diffuser's lifespan is affected by a vast number of factors, including its size, oil composition, the number of reeds used, room airflow, and heat exposure. they will last a long time, but the corners can bend and you can get splits in them. I'm new to Légère, what reed should I buy? The tone is still top notch. Not only do the plastic sleeves do a poor job at preventing warpage but, if you store the sleeves in your saxophone case, they can become chipped or damaged during transport. Synthetic reeds are more durable and do not need to be moistened prior to playing, but many players consider them to have inferior tone [citation needed]. 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