These may be really good for students to encourage them to suck on their reeds for awhile, but it seems to me like the sugar and other additives would inhibit vibration and response. They even suggest on the website that there could be problems (like sticky pads) if you don't swab your instrument out after playing. I think for a serious player it would be big sacrifice just to have reeds that taste like blueberries or pina colada, plus the limitations of the engineering (however much there is) of this one reed brand. I actually like the taste of reeds that are really well-aged, kind of a popcorn flavor. If you really want flavored reeds, they sell vials of reed-flavoring at www.wwbw.com, that way you can at least flavor reeds that play well in the first place.

On that note, I'm gonna go stick some reeds in a glass of Pepsi and give 'em a spin after 15 minutes or so (on a horn that needs repadded anyway, of course!). I'll let ya know how it goes

 

Interesting to read your thoughts, but the question was "has anyone tried them?".

 

Well, after thoroughally rinsing them off to make sure droplets of Pepsi wouldn't be flying out of the reed while playing, I tried out some of my home-made flavored reeds. I was pretty impressed for the first 5 minutes or so of play: nice fuzzy, warm tone similar to Vandoren Javas. Not to mention that they tasted great! After that the reeds got too stiff (sugar hardening maybe?) to be controllable enough, so I guess my idea is kind of null-and-void.

 

I've tried them before on my clarinet. They're way too dull for me. The flavor(cherry) was decent but definately not worth the sacrifice in sound.

 

A friend and classmate of mine soaks his reeds in Listerine...says it keeps the reeds clean and makes them last longer...I suppose if you wanted to make your own flavoreeds, this could be the way to go...never tried the actual Flavoreeds, though.

 

I've tried them before on my clarinet. They're way too dull for me. The flavor(cherry) was decent but definately not worth the sacrifice in sound.

Thanks Nate.

 

seems like it would make for excess salivation. Got enough of that goin on.

 

WHY WOULD U WANT FLAVORED REEDS!!!!! STUPID!!!!! PLAY SAX, THEN GO EAT. AS IF OUR SOCIETY CANT STOP THINKNG ABOUT FOOD, AND NOT BE FAT!!! I AM ASHAMED OF ANYONE WHO USES FLAVORS AS AN INSCENTIVE. IM GONNA GO KILL MYSELF NOW, BECAUSE THIS WORLD IS SO DUMB!!

 

Have fun doing that. Take your CAPS with you. I agree with your points however.

 

Mike, where are you in South Carolina? Just curious.

 

Tried Flavoreeds for alto. They don't taste much because the regular "reed" taste is dominant, and they are harder/stuffier/stiffer than other reeds.

But I really like the look of them - bright, almost neon/fluorescent, colors on unlaquered wood.

 

Do they come in steak?

 

I picked up a few real cheap at the OMEA convention yesterday, for $#!& and giggles, we'll see what happens

 

A friend and classmate of mine soaks his reeds in Listerine...says it keeps the reeds clean and makes them last longer...I suppose if you wanted to make your own flavoreeds, this could be the way to go...never tried the actual Flavoreeds, though.

My teacher soaks his reeds in a listerine solution, so the never get mold.

 

I like to soak my Legere in Johnny Walker black for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until the shot glass is empty. I've found it sometimes requires multiple applications before it sounds just right. . .

 

I once met a girl who used them she squeaked a lot and her tone wasn't that great but when she switched to real cane she sounded much better.

-Birdman