Choosing and Caring for Reeds
A good bassoon reed can make a tremendous difference in how easy the instrument is to play. But finding the right reed isn’t always as simple as buying the most expensive one or choosing a particular brand.
Work With a Teacher When You Can
The best way to find reeds that work for you is to work with a bassoon teacher or professional player who knows how to make and adjust reeds.
Bassoon reeds are highly individual. A reed that works beautifully for one player may feel completely wrong for another. Your bassoon, embouchure, air support, playing style, and the sound you’re trying to produce all affect what you need from a reed.
A teacher who understands reed making can also teach you how to make small adjustments yourself. This is an incredibly useful skill for any serious bassoonist.
What If You Don’t Have a Teacher?
If you don’t have access to someone who can make reeds for you, start with a reputable handmade reed maker recommended by a professional bassoonist.
One maker I can recommend is Bel Canto Reeds. They offer handmade bassoon reeds designed for players from beginner through professional levels. They also offer different options depending on how much resistance a player prefers.
Even with a high-quality handmade reed, however, I generally like to make a few adjustments to get the reed working exactly the way I want it to.
A professionally made reed is a starting point, not necessarily the finished product.
Why Do Reeds Change?
Bassoon reeds are made from natural cane, and natural materials respond to their environment.
Humidity, altitude, temperature, barometric pressure, and other environmental factors can all affect how a reed behaves. A reed that plays perfectly one day may feel different the next day—or behave differently when you take it to a different city, climate, or performance space.
This is one reason bassoonists often carry several reeds rather than relying on a single “perfect” reed.
Learning how to recognize what has changed and what adjustment the reed needs is an important part of becoming a better bassoonist.
Taking Care of Your Reeds
Reeds also need to be treated carefully. Avoid leaving them sitting in water, exposing them to extreme heat or cold, or storing them in a way that prevents them from drying appropriately between playing sessions.
And, of course, keep an eye out for mold. If you have reeds that have developed mold, see my post on what to do about moldy reeds.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to bassoon reeds, working with a professional is really the best path.
A teacher or experienced bassoonist can help you find reeds that match your playing, teach you how to adjust them, and eventually help you develop the skills to make your own.
If professional help isn’t available, start with quality handmade reeds from a reputable maker recommended by a professional. Just remember that even a very good reed may need a little adjustment to work its best for you.
The goal isn’t to find a reed that someone else says is “perfect.” The goal is to learn what makes a reed work for you.