The most important part of a clarinet and saxophone is the reed. That’s right-that little piece of wood that attaches to the mouthpiece and is secured by a ligature. Reeds often determine the quality of a clarinet and saxophone player’s sound, so proper care is important. Ideally, reeds should be stored in a reed case that holds four to eight reeds. This provides the best protection and minimizes handling them. Reeds need to be treated gently as they can easily chip or break. If you think that your reed is wearing out, check the center of it. A white mark means it is wearing too thin and you may need a new one. Always have two or three back up reeds with you. It is also advisable to have a cap to go on top of your mouthpiece. This way, if you need to put your instrument down, the cap will protect the reed.