starting to close up after I play it for several minutes. Is it ready to be retired or can it be rejuvinated ?

Bill_D

this is the classic syndrome of an old reed. You can try squeezing it open gently, soaking in hot water for 15 minutes to give it some rigidity, or a combination of the two. If you haven`t played the reed a whole lot, and it`s closing, then maybe let it hang out for a couple days in your reed box. Sometimes it can come back to life. If you`ve practiced consistently for three weeks on the one reed, it`s time to send it to the museum. Don`t break the reed, but just put it away for use in emergencies.

this girl suggested me tenly reeds...are they good? my teacher doesnt make any so i have to buy them at a store, or order them. Please lemme knoW.

Another thing that you could try to do is soak it in hydrogen peroxide for about 10-20 seconds... I usually then blow though the staple for another 5-10 to blow out any disgusting stuff that loosened up. Alot of build up and gunky stuff gets in there and bogs down the reed as well. You can probably squeeze another 5 days out of it this way.

I have tried the hydrogen peroxide trick on oboe reeds, and I find that, although it cleans the reed, it destroys the strength of the reed- I don`t mean it makes the reed harder, but it turns it into a sponge, making the reed feel loose, heavy and oversoaked. The best thing you can do to clean a reed, is take a rounded plaque and scrape over each blade to remove any build-up.

Tenly reeds are made by hand by a lady named Tenly Polhemus (now married w/ a changed name). I`ve met her on several occasions and have found that her reeds are very consistant and professional. definetly worth a try!

Erin,

I see www.mmimports.com sells Tenly reeds.

Thanks