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Remember when adjusting your reeds to make small changes at a time before testing it again. You can always scrape more cane off but you can't add it back on!
Soak your reeds for at least five minutes before making adjustments.
When scraping or sanding your reeds don't forget to use a plaque to ensure you don't damage the reed, and when adjusting the wires use a mandrel.
- The reed does not fit onto the crook properly.
Using a reamer or a diamond or round file gently sand the inside of the tube of the reed. It is best to do this when the reed is dry.
- The sound is unpleasant and nasal sounding.
Put your mandrel into the tube of the reed and using pliers make the 2nd wire as round as possible. If the tone produced has a slightly 'strangled' sounding quality to it then using your pliers loosen the front wire slightly.
- The reed is too hard.
This is probably due to the aperture of the reed being too open, so using pliers gently squeeze the front wire to close the reed slightly. If this does not solve the problem it is probably because there is too much wood on the reed. Using sandpaper gently sand all over the reed particularly over the sides, back and tip. Try not to sand so much over the heart of the reed, as this will leave you with a 'thin' quality of sound.
- The low notes are difficult to play and don't speak clearly.
Using fine sandpaper or a reed knife sand or scrape along the very back of the reed up to the collar on both sides.
- Articulation is not clear and tonguing sounds 'fluffy'.
Scrape or sand the tip of the reed - be careful when doing this as this area of the reed is thin and delicate.
When starting to make and adjust your own reeds it is a costly and time consuming business. To save money use fine sandpaper instead of buying a specialist reed knife and purchase your pliers from your local hardware store.
For the more specialist tools mentioned: mandrel, reamer, plaque, you can buy these online from http://www.georgrieger.com or pay a visit to the shop Howarth of London, 31 Chiltern Street. http://www.howarth.uk.com. They will be able to provide you with all of the equipment and advice you need on how to get started.
