I open a new reed per week, on average, because the old one has lost its edge in some aspect, typically less high response.
If I had no new reed, would I continue to play the old? YES. But I have the means to buy new reeds, so I do. Others might play them for much longer.
My old reeds are visibly perfect--no warpage, frayed tip, etc. The plastic sleeve is also in perfect condition, obviously.
So, my question: is there a place to send previously-played reeds where they may be used by those who have no access to new reeds?
With steel-stringed instruments, the strings may be sent to a distributor who places the slightly-tarnished or -dead strings with players who otherwise would have NO strings.
Reeds may be sanitized if not sterilized, if that is a concern.
I don't mean to be ignorant of nor feel entitled by my first-world privilege. The fact is that my used reeds are still in satisfactory condition to make sound, and if there is an alternative to land fill for them I would send them there.
I do not believe I am the first to consider this, so thank you for your thoughts.
If I had no new reed, would I continue to play the old? YES. But I have the means to buy new reeds, so I do. Others might play them for much longer.
My old reeds are visibly perfect--no warpage, frayed tip, etc. The plastic sleeve is also in perfect condition, obviously.
So, my question: is there a place to send previously-played reeds where they may be used by those who have no access to new reeds?
With steel-stringed instruments, the strings may be sent to a distributor who places the slightly-tarnished or -dead strings with players who otherwise would have NO strings.
Reeds may be sanitized if not sterilized, if that is a concern.
I don't mean to be ignorant of nor feel entitled by my first-world privilege. The fact is that my used reeds are still in satisfactory condition to make sound, and if there is an alternative to land fill for them I would send them there.
I do not believe I am the first to consider this, so thank you for your thoughts.