Fix your need for reeds

The colder the climate, the smaller radius you want to purchase. 10.5-11mm is standard in the South but if you live in the Upper Midwest or Northeast US then you want to buy 10-10.5mm cane. The really small diameters are best for higher altitudes.

Avoid pale and dull colored pieces. If they feel brittle or snap apart to easily when splitting… throw it out. This saves you time later on.

Reeds are very fragile and sensitive. Make sure that you have a functioning reed case at the bare minimum. Fun fact: the very tip of an oboe reed is thinner than a human hair!

Reeds don’t like dry climates. If it is cold out or your AC is doing too fine a job clearing moisture out of the air, make sure your reed soaks longer. Soaking reed in warm water helps speed up soaking time. Some cases can help control inner climate of the case which helps too but these cases can be quite pricey.

It took me forever to learn this but reeds are like people, they get worn out and tired if they are over-worked. Share the load with other reeds. This might mean purchasing more reeds at the same time, but they will last you much longer and play better on average for a longer period of time.