Question:
Proper Reed Care and Cleaning
My 11yo son just started playing. What should the cleaning regimen be for his saxophone? What should he be doing and how often? As far as the reed, should it be cleaned at all? He is currently leaving it in the mouthpiece, and I'm starting to think this is a bad idea- one of his reeds turned black near the bottom! Not fuzzy, but definitely discolored. Is this because of the way he is storing it or because he's not cleaning it or should he be using a new reed every couple of weeks? Thanks in advance for your help.

Answer:
Maryhm: Your son should remove the reed after playing. Blot it dry with a paper towel, and store it in a reedguard to keep it flat and warp-free. A good reed (not every reed in a box is a good one) should last several weeks.
Also, after playing, tip the saxophone upside down so the moisture runs out of the bell. Then, run a swab though the horn and the neck to dry it out. If certain pads are moist, then they can be blotted with a paper towel, also. Make sure the neck cork and neck tenon are lubricated (I use cork grease for that). Lastly, dry off the mouthpiece before storing it.
All of the items I mentioned are probably available for a small price at your local music retailer. Good luck. DAVE

Answer:
Agreed, and as a side note DO NOT let the music store sell you a pad saver ( a giant fuzzy thing to run through or keep in the sax to absorb moisture). These create havoc for your horn in time and will greatly shorten the life of the pads (you dont want to pay for a full pad job !) As Dave said, get an absorbent Swab on a weighted string. They have been around forever and they work like a charm...not to mention they are cheap and you can hand wash them when they start getting kinda nasty.
Go and buy a Lavoz plastic reed guard. They are so easy to use and under 4 bucks and they hold 4 reeds...your son can learn to rotate them so that they last longer. I use these and I never have a warped reed (from leaving on mpc) nor have I had mildew....eeeew. This will save you considerable money in the long run.
Oh, make sure you buy a pull through swab for the body and the neck (different sizes) A dirty nasty neck with built up crud is ...well dirty and nasty. If bad enough it can corrode over time and buildup can effect tone. Dont let him leave the mpc on the horn after using it.
A reed will last more than two weeks if you rotate several of them. Of course this depends on how much you use them. Unless you live in a swamp reeds should not be turning colors. You play them until you screw up and break the tip or until they start sounding dead. If he rotates reed he will quickly begin to learn when a specific reed is dead. Thats an important lesson as well.
Also dont let him play after eating without a good rinsing of the mouth (brushing is better but doesnt always happen). Particles of food get in the horn and cause sticky pads (another hassle) and shorten the life of the pads as well as making for a smelly instrument in the long run. Sugar is evil. No soda and then playing!
This sounds like a lot but once good habits are established its nothing to break down, swab, and put things away properly. Its all part of him learning to respect his instrument that he will eventually come to love and want to take care of. Good luck.

Answer:
Hi - here to ask a question that ended up getting answered earlier in the thread - but - PadSavers are bad? This is what the music store gave me - a long rod with yarn stuff - seems to me a great way to absorb moisture/condensation. What are the associated problems?
I don't claim that the music store is gospel by any stretch - just wanted to know why pad savers are bad?