Oh What a Difference a Reed Makes!

I am currently experiencing the sublime ecstasy (well, maybe it’s only extreme joy (well, it’s at least a nice sense of satisfaction)) that I’m sure every woodwind player experiences after getting a new reed.

But this experience is even greater than the usual pleasure of playing with a good reed. Nay, the happiness is heightened by the horrible shape of my old reeds (they were grey and bent in half).  They were so bad I had to play with them for half an hour before I could play the set right.  These new reeds are better in every way.  They have better sound, better control…they even taste better.