Maintenance for your Instruments
* Every student needs a maintenance care kit.
* Performers should NEVER eat or drink anything while playing (except water, of course). Many people also brush their teeth or at least rinse their mouths with water immediately before playing. These are excellent preventative measures, which can go a long way toward keeping away those scary UFO’s (Unidentified Food Objects).
* Always pick the instrument up by the bell, never by the keys. The keys should not be touched until the neck strap is attached and you are ready to play.
* Only the instrument should be stored in the case. Storing music, metronomes, books, etc. in the case can cause bent keys.
* To remove excess water from the instrument, simply turn in over (holding it by the bell) allowing the water to drain out. Sax pad saver swabs are not recommended because they shed fibers causing leaks in the pads. They also tend to trap moisture inside the instrument.
* Never lay a saxophone down on the palm keys. This can bend the D key. Also, never lay a saxophone on a chair. If the instrument is not being played, it belongs on a saxophone stand or in its case.
* Always use the end plug when storing the instrument in its case. This will protect the octave key from damage.
* Lubricate the neck tenon cork with cork grease to allow the mouthpiece to fit easily.
* If the neck fits too tightly on the body, cleaning the neck tenon and receiver with a damp (cotton) cloth will loosen the fit. If this doesn’t fix the problem, take the instrument to a qualified technician. Do not force the neck into the receiver or you may bend it.
* To clean the mouthpiece, use a mouthpiece cleaning brush or an old toothbrush and warm (not hot) water. If the water is too hot, you can warp the plastic.
* Never use liquid polishes on the body of the instrument. Wiping down the instrument with a flannel cloth will remove saliva and grease, helping to preserve the finish. Use a Q-tip to clean between the keys.
* Chipped mouthpieces should be replaced. Also, many stock or instrument brand mouthpieces that come with instruments are hard to play and should be replaced.
* A minimum of a yearly service/repair shop visit is a must.
Reeds are very expensive and can often be inconsistent in producing sound. They are made from natuarl products and most manufactures seem to fall short when it comes to quality control. Many players have just got used to the fact that you buy a box of reeds and throw some of them away.
Reeds play best when wet, you can moisten them in your mouth for a while or soak them in a glass of water (some people recommend alcohol such as vodka).
It’s unlikely that all the reeds in a box will play well. You can improve the immediate playability of a reed sometimes. If the underside of the reed is not flat, take a piece of fine emery paper, lay it flat on a piece of glass and gently sand the bottom of the reed by moving the reed across the emery paper lengthwise. Be careful not to damage the tip of the reed.
Which Brand Should I Buy?
Which brand you use can be subjective, it’s a good idea to try as many different reeds as you can once you feel confident enough to test them.
Which Strength Should I Use?
Many people believe that as you progress on the saxophone, you "work up" to harder reeds. Reed strengths are usually measured from grade 1 (very soft) to grade 5 (very hard) in half steps.
Softer reeds can be harder to play loud or high, so a lot of work on diaphragm and embouchure is needed to achieve the same loudness and high range as with a hard reed. The plus side though is that once you have managed this, your overall dynamic range and flexibility of tone will be much greater.
Which strength you end up using can depends a lot on the mouthpiece. As a general rule, mouthpieces with wide tip openings and/or shorter lays (facing curve) often are best with softer reeds, while narrower tip openings or longer facings can have harder reeds. Much will depend on the style of music you play, usually classical players will prefer a narrower tip and a harder reed. Beginners (especially children) should probably start on a soft reed, e.g. 1½. Most professional players end up using between 2½ and 3½.
