p>Most reeds are available in several sizes and grades and can be purchased in 3’s where available, or more commonly in 5’s or 10’s. Specialist cork grease such as the Howarth Premium natural cork grease must be used regularly to prevent damage to your instrument by over-compression of keywork during assembly and dis-assembly.

We suggest you occasionally use a cloth to remove any excessive buildup of grease and dirt on the joint before applying a new layer of cork grease. This means that the corks of your instrument will not dry out so quickly, so this grease lasts longer and goes further than others on the market.This causes the cork to loosen, spin around on the tenon joint and eventually degrade and break apart. Manufactured from a blend of natural, non-hazardous and odourless ingredients, Champion Cork Grease is the perfect solution for ensuring a tight seal between brass tuning slides, and also guarantees that cork joints on woodwind instruments retain their natural structure and do not dry out – all resulting in instruments that are easier to play and, most importantly, sound their very best. The Edgware cork grease is manufactured in the UK from 100% natural ingredients, meaning it is non-toxic, non-petroleum and non-synthetic. Neither too dry nor too liquid, made to facilitate the junctions between different parts of the instrument.

Keeping the corks healthy is a vital part of maintaining your instrument, reducing stresses on delicate exterior feather keys when assembling and also keeping it completely air tight.

Cork grease also acts as a preservative, keeping the wooden cork moist and thick, in turn ensuring a good seal between parts of the instrument so that no air may leak through the joints upon playing. McNeela Music Instruments, founded by Paraic McNeela and Irish family owned and operated to this day, is a brand with a deep understanding of the needs and aspirations of fellow musicians. By using IonaReed's natural cork grease you will reduce the amount you need to apply to the instrument joints, and this in turn will reduce the depression of the corks, keeping your instrument air tight and the corks nice and spongy. This emphasizes the need for an instrument that works, not just a low-cost ‘toy’ sold by so many high street multiple retailers. These instruments are designed to be disassembled into parts for easy storage and portability, and the joints between parts feature cork seals.

Woodwind instrument Care and maintenance