Cane Reeds As An Alternative Fuel Source?
Author: Helen
For years woodwind players been have bemoaning the fact that the reeds we’ve been buying have been getting worse in quality. There have been many theories as to why this might be, but I’m not going to get into those here. You can always check out some of the reed discussions on SOTW for more info on the topic. SOTW members have lots of theories.
For many players, myself included, inconsistencies in cane reeds, their overall poor quality, and/or the fiddling required to get them to play right, has led them to switch to synthetic reeds. There are a number of synthetic reed options out there. Here are a few…
Fibracell reeds. My personal favourite.
Légère Studio Cut.
Harry Hartmann’s Fiberreed. I haven’t tried one, mainly due to their more expensive price.
Bari reeds. These were the first synthetic reeds I tried. I used them for a year or 2 before I switched over to the Fibracells.
I switched to Fibracell over 10 years ago, and couldn’t be happier. Not only do they save me money because they last much longer than cane, but the reeds are consistent. No fiddling required. Of all the synthetic reeds I’ve tried over the years, they also sound the most like true cane to my ears. YMMV of course. However, I can tell you I fool most sax players that I work with.
Reed trimmers, reed rush, a reed knife, and all the other paraphernalia I used to use are a thing of the past. Also because I usually double on multiple saxes in the bands I play with, no more dry reed worries for me since making the switch to synthetic reeds.
For players who wish to use conventional cane reeds, the choices seem to be endless. Here is a sampling of the current offerings…
Now, while some cane reed purists will argue that the best cane reeds come from France, a new study from their next door neighbour Germany, might make these cane reed lovers a little nervous.
According to an article published in The Local, Germany’s News In English, German researchers have discovered that cane is a renewable, cleaner-burning fuel that could be used to power decentralized power stations over much of the country. Reed energy could be the wave of the future.
Ah look out. Those cane fields might no longer be safe. Perhaps the cane will be clear cut to power small towns and subdivisions throughout Europe. 
OK, so I’m pulling your chain a bit, but maybe it’s not too early to start stockpiling those cane reeds. They only get better with age anyway. And that’s a good thing. 
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sam netherland on 
Chris on
The new
Forestone synthetic clarinet reeds are getting good reviews. The Forestone website promises saxophone reeds to come.
Thanks for the link Bret.
These reeds look very interesting. Have you had the chance to try one yet?
It will be very interesting to see how the saxophone reeds will be reviewed when they come out.
Oh, and does anyone else find it ironic that it was a trumpet player who came up with the idea of inventing a better reed?
These reeds too come out of Japan. They reminded me of the bamboo saxophone mouthpieces that Mal-2 provided a link for a few weeks ago.