<P> Reeds made from cane, used on woodwind instruments such as saxophones, clarinets, oboes, and bassoons, are affected highly by climate changes . As the temperature and amount of humidity changes, the reed also changes . It is a common occurrence for a reed to behave vastly differently from the cold rehearsal room where they warm up to the stage which is often hot due to onstage lights . While these changes are unavoidable, there are certain things that can be done to alter the reed . </P> <P> Reeds are sold in different strengths (most commonly 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, and 5). The strength is determined by a machine in the reed - making process that presses against the vamp (the part of the reed that includes the tip, where the tongue is placed, and the heart just behind the tip) of the reed and determines how stiff the reed is . Reeds are separated into boxes according to strength . A box of strength - 3 reeds may include reeds of strengths ranging from 2.75 to 3.25 . In a box of ten reeds, not every reed will be usable . </P> <P> Because reeds change with climate, reeds that are too soft can be kept in the hopes that they will eventually become thicker, but there is nothing else that can be done to them . If a reed is too stiff, however, there are solutions . The most simple solution is to turn a piece of paper over so there is no ink and gently rotate the reed around it while gently placing the fingers at the tip and the butt to ensure even distribution on the paper . This works if the reed is just barely too stiff or warped (the tip is not flat). If the reed is more than a little too stiff, sandpaper can be used (preferably 300--500 grain) to repeat the process as described . Be careful not to damage the tip of the reed . </P> <P> Sometimes a reed does not play well because it was not cut properly (machine error). This cannot always be fixed, but it can be helped with a reed pen . Reed pens are expensive, but can be used to realign or recut the filing on the reed . </P>

The reed of the english horn is made of two very thick pieces of cane