WHY CHOOSE WILDFLOWER REEDS?
There is nothing better than playing on a vibrant, colorful, stable, and warm sounding reed – a reed that does just what it's supposed to do with the least amount of effort expended by the player. It should feel like stepping into your favorite pair of cozy slippers or taking that steaming sip of coffee first thing in the morning. It is definitely a struggle to make beautiful music when you're fighting to manipulate a reed the whole time.
I am a perfectionist, to say the least. I sit at the reed desk until the reed virtually plays itself. That said, there are many aspects to consider when making a reed: precise measurements, symmetry, and balance to name a few. Every reed I make is crafted using the same materials – from beginner to professional. (This is why you will see that the price for every level of reed is the same.) The only difference in the reeds is the resistance factor. Working down from professional to intermediate to beginner, reeds are adjusted to allow for the air to flow more freely through the cane. This is achieved by scraping and balancing until the reed plays easily but maintains its pitch and tonal integrity.
I play on each one and adjust until I have a reed on which I would be comfortable playing. That's what you're getting when you order Wildflower Reeds. I've been making reeds for 22 years, and making reeds for people other than myself for 14 of those years. I've taught students of all ages and levels and have gained an understanding of the "reed needs" at all of those levels. Wildflower Reeds are completely hand-made from start to finish. They have a colorful, warm tone, are flexible with just the right amount of resistance, and are responsive in every register with excellent pitch. Most importantly, they are made to fit every player at every level to 100% satisfaction.
*All reeds are tuned to A440 and crow octave C's.
**All reeds are dipped in isopropyl alcohol before shipping to ensure a germ-free reed.
WILDFLOWERS AND BLUEBONNETS
When the snow finally melts after a long winter in where I grew up in Northeastern Ohio, the crocuses pop their heads out of the earth. They always heralded the beginning of spring with their tender green leaves and vibrant purple and yellow heads. Then came the hyacinths and daffodils. Every spring, the garden would bloom with tulips, irises, cosmos, and peonies and the smell of lilacs filled the air. As summer approached, the roadside teemed with chicory, buttercups, clover, and daisies, and fall brought the rich warm hues of golden sunflowers and bright orange day lilies.
Now that I live in Texas, the palate that I have grown accustomed to has changed. But one thing Texas has shown me is the beauty of its most lovely wildflower, the bluebonnet. Perhaps one of the most glorious times of the year in Texas is in April when the bluebonnets are in full bloom. The roadsides are a sea of blue waves with tiny whitecaps rolling along in the breeze. Since Wildflower Reeds was born here in Fort Worth, I wanted to honor Texas with its very own signature reed color – Bluebonnet. The variegated Bluebonnet Reeds will be offered every April, and as a color choice for reed subscriptions. But as each month brings new wildflowers to the garden, so will each month bring different surprise wildflower colors for you to add to your reed box.
SHIPPING TIMES
Reeds will be shipped 12-14 days from order date. Most often, reeds are ready to be shipped much sooner than 12-14 days, but because things can get crazy, order your reeds in advance. Or better yet, sign up for a reed subscription and save per reed!
RETURN & REFUND POLICY
Our Commitment
Every Wildflower Reed is handcrafted and individually play-tested in Fort Worth, Texas before it leaves our shop. We stand behind the quality of our reeds and want you to have a great experience.
Natural Cane Disclaimer
Arundo donax cane is a natural material, which means no two reeds are exactly alike. Even reeds made from the same piece of cane can respond differently.
Because reeds are handcrafted in Fort Worth, Texas, changes in temperature, humidity, altitude, and climate during shipping may affect how a reed performs when it reaches you. We recommend allowing your reed to acclimate to your local environment before evaluating it.
A reed may also require minor adjustments to suit your instrument, bocal, embouchure, and playing style.
Shipping Damage
Please inspect your order as soon as it arrives.
If a reed arrives cracked, broken, or otherwise damaged during shipping, please contact us within 5 days of delivery. We will gladly replace the damaged reed or issue a refund.
If your package is lost in transit, please contact us within 14 days of the shipping date, and we will work with the carrier to resolve the issue or send a replacement.
Satisfaction Guarantee
Because every player, instrument, and setup is different, we cannot guarantee that every reed will perform identically for every musician. Performance differences resulting from natural cane variation, climate changes, or individual playing preferences are not considered manufacturing defects.
Our goal is for every customer to love their Wildflower Reeds. If you're having trouble with a reed, please reach out—we're always happy to offer suggestions, help troubleshoot, or find the best solution.
