Every serious woodwind player has a complicated relationship with cane reeds. A box arrives and half the reeds are unplayable. We hold on to the good ones, and play them untill they are disgusting, only to lament when they crack. Temperature and humidity changes affect playability from one day to the next. You spend significant money, significant time and significant emotional energy on something that should just work — and often doesn't.

Forestone was founded by Kawai Kazunori, the former manager of Japan's biggest woodwind distributor, who developed a special material formula — half bamboo and half polypropylene — that delivers the perfect combination of wooden sound and manufacturing consistency. The result is a reed that not only sounds and feels like a good cane reed but looks like one too. Forestone hybrid reeds are balanced to bring out the durable, agile benefits of synthetic reeds while maintaining the heart and sound of natural bamboo. More than 50 percent of the material is bamboo — brownish in colour, tasteless, odourless and non-toxic. Made in Japan using a proprietary high-tech injection moulding process that is the most accurate reed manufacturing process available today. This is a synthetic reed that feels good to play, it doesn't hurt your tongue, it doesn't feel slippery on your lips, and plays comfortably.

Forestone reeds are a genuine alternative to cane — not a compromise. For the right player in the right context, they are simply better. The question is not whether Forestone can replace cane for every player in every situation — it cannot. The question is whether Forestone is the better choice for your playing, your instrument and your musical context. Contact us if you want to discuss which Forestone model is right for you. Every product ships across Canada.