Whenever my reeds crack, I open them for fun. When I do, I usually see mold(or some other green substance)near the metal part of the reed. Does this affect my playing? What is it? How can it be prevented? Thaks!!!

Hmm it is inevitable that your reed will get stuff inside it. I ALWAYS brush before I play (carry a toothbrush in my case) and also I carry pipe cleaner in my case too. Just put the pipe cleaner through the end of the cork and out through the tip, it shouldn`t damage the tip. Also, just being careful with what you are eating. You should be going through 2 reeds or so a week anyways. GOOD LUCK!

CHRIS

P.S. If you have any more questions feel free to e-mail me at Shoko2@hotmail.com

no offence, but how u said that there is mold in the reed to me that is................... FREAKING GROSS, its full on disgusting thinking about it just gives me goosbumps lolz

u open reeds for fun?

The "green" looking stuff around the staple is from when the wet cane was wrapped onto the tube. It doesn`t affect your ability to play the oboe.

The green stuff in the reeds are most likely food particles from eating because that will start to make the reeds taste a little odd. That`s why I said you should just brush your teeth before you play.

is that just for the oboe? because i can see into the bottom part of my bassoon reed, and looks all clean to me. (been using it for about a month) just don`t chew gum or drink anything sugary before playing ¬_¬

Hey Anime! Moss is green. Mold or mildew is black. The reed has just enough airflow or ventilation to avoid this from happening, so I agree that the green colour is a reaction with metal, not so much from wet cane, but from saliva or plain human humidity. Nothing gross about any of this. The wet cane person can open a new reed if they want to prove their point. But it was a good one.

The green "mold" like substance that you see is generally on the tube and is simple oxidation. The metal changes color because of being in contact with moisture. The post by `goddess` is correct in part. When wet, thoroughly saturated cane is bound onto the tube, the pressure of the reed thread "bleeds" the cane of excess water where it does not get a chance to evaporate and starts to oxidize the metal. Because cane is a natural material the water travels throughout the entire piece of cane; and this means the small part hidden by the thread. Therefore, there is always water or moisture that does not fully evaporate from the area between the tube and the cane, thus allowing for further oxidation.

my oboe reed grew brown and green chunks, but i brush before i play.... and the are week old reeds too.... is something wrong?

^read above post i guess? that`s probably the only good explanation...

wow!! how in the world did you get onto this topic??

I have never had that happen to me before so I don`t know but I dont think it would effect your playing
good luck!!

That must be really expensive- and also why?

My reeds last (on average) 6-8 weeks before theyre i need to change them- and theyre £9 each (i know you can make them, i just havent got the time or the knowledge)

I dont play loads, maybe 5-10 hours a week, but my reeds last quite a bit longer than 3-4 days.

If you don`t give reeds time to dry after you play them, then stuff might grow on it. Remember to leave them out to dry for a little bit before putting them away. And don`t eat food or drink sodas before you play etc., etc.

I usually have to get a new reed every two weeks.