Usage tips: Check the motion sequence during the corrections. The pressure must be light, even and not too tight if you do not want the reed`s thickness to be noticeably thinner. The reeds, which primary seems to be a bit too soft for the player, must be corrected with only a few (maximum 4-5) moves. After a correct adjustment of the bottom, the reed sounds more balanced, the response becomes better and the blowing become freer.
The advantages of the FedotovReeds glass plate:
- The glass plate is washable
- The surface stays naturally straight
- The plate lasts extremely long without any abrasion
- Doesn`t leave any grains in the reed, contrary to sandpaper
- Optimal size of the glass plate, so not too small
- It has a cover, so it can be taken everywhere
- The grit is sufficient for light sanding (not just for smoothing a reed bottom)
The clarinetists and saxophonists have traditionally corrected the reeds with sandpaper, pumice stone, or with a file, and relatively rarely – with an abrasive glass plate.
Sandblasted glass plates “FedotovReeds” are recommended to be used to correct the bottom of your reeds.
Why is the reed bottom correction so important: The cane type Arundo Donax is the ideal material for the reeds of woodwinds. This is a natural material and the reeds live their own lives accordingly. The wood transforms because the moisture level drops for instance after the instrument has been played. Many factors in play can cause distortion of the reed or slight warping of the underside. Even the best reeds can be distorted. You notice it by the increased background noise (such as annoying hissing caused by the reed), problems of articulation, poorer tone flexibility and increased resistance when blowing. The most important and the simplest correction is the flattening of the reed bottom. A regular correct adjustment of the bottom shortens and optimizes breaking- in of a clarinet or saxophone reed. When the bottom is mostly flat (especially right-left), the reed develops much better, lasts longer and gets the optimal properties that are much appreciated in making music.
See also: