Reed Instrument Care Tips

By Author: michal jordan
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Musical instruments are finely-crafted, valuable investments that can be easily damaged if not properly cared for. Therefore, proper instrument care and maintenance is vital for any musician who wishes to keep their instrument safe and protected. Like with any other kind of musical instrument, a well-maintained and cared-for reed instrument will have a much longer life than one that isn’t.

Whether you are playing a flute, clarinet, bassoon, piccolo or even an oboe, there are several things you can do to preserve both your reed instrument and theirreeds. Keep readingto learn some useful and easy-to-implement tips on how to properly clean, store, maintain, and protect your instruments and reeds.

Caring For Your Reed Instrument

When it comes to your reed instrument’s protection, one of the most important things you can do is storing it in a weatherproof case — away from heat, direct sunlight and humidity — when not in use. But here are some additional tips you can follow:

● Before storing your reed instrument, make sure you carefully swab the inside to remove any moisture. We ...
... also recommendwiping it down as well, to help preserve its finish.
● Always place your instrument correctly and gently into its case, never force the case closed. Consider removing your neck strap beforehand as well.
● Never pick your instrument up by its keys.
● Oil your instrument’s keys regularly using key oil. You can apply it with the help of a cotton swab, needle, or toothpick to help ensure you don’t use too much oil.

Caring For Your Reeds

Good reeds are hard to come by. So when you do manage to find them, you need to handle them with care and do your best to extend their life. Here are some useful tips that can help make your reeds last much longer:

● When buying a new reed, unpack it carefully, avoiding contact with its tip.
● Before playing, make sure you moisten it first. Some musicians dip their reeds in warm water, while othersuse their saliva.
● Once the reed is prepped, align its tip with the end of your instrument’s mouthpiece and tighten the ligature screws.
● Never play a new reed for more than a few minutes during the first few days you use it. This will allow for the reed to gradually get used to expanding and drying.
● When you are done playing, remove it from your instrument’s mouthpiece, rinse it thoroughly and wipe it dry to remove any excess moisture.
● Always store your reeds separately, ideally in a reed case. A reed case will keep them flat as they dry and help prevent warping. It will also help protect them from getting chipped or damaged during transportation.
● Avoid playing the same reed every day, as this will cause it to wear rapidly.
● Rotate your reeds regularly.
● Before playing, don’t forget to wipe off lipstick, lip balm, or any other lip product. It is highly recommended to brush your teeth and wash your hands beforehand as well.
● Make sure you clean your reeds semi-regularly using water and a mild detergent.
● Avoid exposing them to extreme changes in temperature or humidity, as reeds respond poorly to dramatic environmental changes.

Getting Full Coverage Instrument Protection

While proper instrument care and maintenance can help protect both reeds and reed instruments, it isn’t enough to protect against all of life’s risks. Musical instrument insurance on the other hand, will safeguard your reed instrument in almost every situation. At Clarion Associates, we have designed specialized and customizable musical instrument insurance policies that offer worldwide coverage and an array of benefits you won’t find anywhere else.

Whether you are playing a bassoon, piccolo, oboe, clarinet, or flute, we have the perfect musical instrument insurance solution for you. Reach out and contact us today for a quoteand find out why Clarion is the leading choice for thousands of musicians and musical instrument owners.