Caring For Your Reed

Légère synthetic reeds are rugged and should last for many hours of playing, however, the tip is fragile, and the reed can split or break if it is mishandled. Each reed has a serial number and a strength which will correspond closely to a typical cane reed strength scale.

One of the best features of a Légère reed is that it does not need to be moistened prior to playing. It will warm up over the first few minutes, and should then be stable for an extended period. Some players have reported that after an hour or more of intense playing, the reed softens a little. This behavior is normal, and the reeds will return to their original feel after they have been rested for a bit.

The reeds will eventually fatigue and become permanently softer, losing their tone quality.  We strongly recommend that you keep two or three reeds in rotation, and retire reeds periodically as they wear out.  

The reeds should be cleaned periodically with water and a mild detergent. Germicides such as Sterisol can be used to clean the reeds, but you should not assume that such products will completely sterilize them.  As a precaution, we advise against sharing reeds or using reeds that have been played by others.  

The reeds should be stored on a flat surface, but not in a case which applies pressure to the reed tip.  You should not keep your reed in the shipping package.

Sanding, scraping and clipping of the reed are discouraged. Clipping the reed with a conventional reed clipper is likely to cause tip damage. If necessary, the reeds can be scraped with a sharp blade held perpendicular to the reed. They should be scraped from the top of the vamp towards the tip. Fine sandpaper may also be used in the same way. NEVER sand or scrape the reed in the other direction. Do not try to sand the base of the reed. Keep in mind that it is not possible to return a reed for exchange or refund once it has been altered in any way.

With proper care and maintenance, your Légère reed should provide you with months and months of playing pleasure.