Doron Orenstein May I know why? • A solid vertebral column (more cane in the area which climbs gradually to the heel). The thickness of the reed will affect the tone and how easy or difficult the instrument is to play. $6.99 $ 6. November 26, 2011 @ 1:16 pm. Jasmine The Sax Lover To generate a good tone that meet the orchestral standards, one should be very cautious about the quality of the reeds and his instrument. Hi I’m 15 years old and I’ve been playing the Alto Saxophone for four years, I consider myself getting quite good at it and I’m trying loads of different things. However, I have had success with Alexander Superial reeds. Every saxophone player has their personal favorite, but in terms of sound quality, the differences between the brands are minimal. I suggest number 2 to start with it is easy with it. January 7, 2018 @ 9:20 am, Argendonax One plus of purchasing synthetic saxophone reeds is they will not warp, crack, or wear over time. Have you experimented with different cane reeds for your xaphoon? Required fields are marked *, Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You will also need a reed. Saxophone reeds are the type of thing that you need to decide for yourself, especially as you develop. Famous works for saxophone: Chamber music. Also what exactly does 2.5 and etc. Both jazz and classical call for loud and soft playing as appropriate. they sometime tend to make u play sharp but with a slight change of the mouth you will be playing better louder and with a crisper sound but also consider the mouthpiece. As a beginner, you should have some knowledge about reeds. Just saw this comment now, so my apologies for not responding sooner! The higher the number the stiffer the cane of … This may be why many beginners become confused on this point. 4 in a box is actually pretty good. Build a Sound the Makes a Powerful Impression From the First Note. For example, to achieve a deeper, dark tone, many players choose a mouthpiece with a large tip opening and a thick reed. 99. ), In what ways would the Rico 2.5 alto reed be beneficial? Remember all the great Jazz players played Rico reeds. oh yea fibracells play a little bright and I do like that sound. I’ve searched for reed anatomies on the internet and saw nothing called the grain. Thanks for the advise.I will look for another mouthpiece any suggestion.Right now i am using a selmer ,but not sure what the size is ,it came with the Horn. Little did he know, his shaved down 4’s were thinner than my unaltered 3’s. Yeah, 4 good reeds in a box is pretty nice! Out of a box of 10 reeds, I find they are ALL different. Mouthpieces, Music Equipment, Reeds, Tone Production. Don’t expect any more and you won’t be disappointed. One plus of purchasing synthetic saxophone reeds is they will not warp, crack, or wear over time. From the first note, the reed speaks with total ease while giving players just the right amount of tonal edge. I still carry a Fibracell with my soprano and alto in case I have to play without notice or prep time. Most beginners start by using La Voz or Rico reeds, because they are the cheapest brands. I got two boxes of Cecilio reeds for my soprano on eBay for about $11 and they are very good reeds considering the fact that they are what most people consider an “off brand”. Rico’s reeds make me a little nostalgic because they were the first reeds I used when I was 12 and started playing the saxophone. All reeds of a particular model are cut identically, or at least as close to identical as they can get (we know they’re not all cut perfectly). The American Cut represents the next-generation of Légère saxophone reeds. I tried out different mouthpieces and reeds and their combinations (the reeds where purchased 1 by 1). 13% off. Free sax tip booklet at BestSaxophoneWebsiteEver « saxopedia, 24 pagine di consigli gratis a BestSaxophoneWebsiteEver « saxopedia, https://www.bestsaxophonewebsiteever.com//review-of-the-reed-geek-reed-adjusting-tool/, https://www.bestsaxophonewebsiteever.com//author/zachsollitto/, http://www.argendonax.com/product/oboe-pro-reeds, Best Tenor Sax Reeds - Top 5 Detailed Reviews | TheReviewGurus.com, https://www.bestsaxophonewebsiteever.com/6-crucial-facts-about-saxophone-reeds/, It’s Indeed Possible to Master Your Altissimo – And Here’s How, Retro Revival Aims to End Your Hunt for Classic Mouthpieces, One side is thicker or thinner than the other (look at the blunt end, not the tip), Rougher than normal grain on the cut side of the reed. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Another alternative to purchasing natural saxophone reeds is the synthetic saxophone reed. I learn that vandorens are crap, and now only play on Rico Royal or Reserves. For example, what would result from a mouthpiece with a narrow tip opening and a thin reed? April 19, 2017 @ 3:22 am. I stay away from recommending mouthpieces since it’s such an individual thing, there are no rules. Tom Ridenour has some good videos on adjusting reeds. If you’re OK with the 2 1/2 then go for the same. Answer: I’m almost certain it’s not your imagination. The one that is there now is a two-screw, brass ligature. When you hear it played back, it’s amazing. Even if the mouthpiece is a little too loose or too tight, the cork can be easily shaved or replaced, so you can choose any mouthpiece you like. FREE Delivery on your first order shipped by Amazon. Now that reed broke, and I tried the rest of them, I only found 3 that actually do the same work as that one, but they are now broke. However, there is a general consensus among professional saxophone players that synthetic reeds sound different (ie: worse) than natural reeds. The best reeds are made from cane which is grown in Southern France, benefiting from warm Mediterranean breezes. Third, I don’t find hard reeds to be inherently better for altissimo. And it’s a plus for oral health so gargle it too. Now that I think about, even though I cannot swap out the mouth piece, I can try a different ligature on my Rico mouthpiece. On the point of duds, I used to get 7 or 8 decent hits back in the 90’s but these days I’m lucky with 4. I have had to leave out a large amount of information, in the effort to be concise. September 30, 2013 @ 7:26 pm. As for the strength of the reed, if it sounds good and is letting the air flow naturally, then I don’t see a problem. Thus, there are many different opinions about mouthpiece and reed combinations, and there is an infinite number of combinations. December 20, 2013 @ 10:39 pm. 99 $7.99 $7.99. It is effortlessly free-blowing, colorful, and loaded with personality. What matters for altissimo is not necessarily hard reeds, meaning 4’s and 5’s, but rather just the harder end of what you’re capable of playing. With the Hahn Fibre Reed, some players have experienced difficulty playing altissimo and higher notes are flat consistently. Any advice would be appreciated greatly. The top quality reeds will have a hard sound but they are best for the orchestral setting. Thinner reeds vibrate more easily, so they are good for beginners. I play alto with a Vandoren 1 1/2 on a Rico Metalite. Handy little resource when it comes to choosing or trying reeds…, http://www.vandoren-en.com/downloads/Comparison-index_t16775.html. But if you follow my advice and read the point outs here, I don't think it would be a problem anymore. i have found an old orange box of 25 rico reeds,and every one plays out of the box,some last for a few minutes others last weeks,so i am loving that i found 2 full boxes of them…. Thanks,I will check it out. I gave up on cane years ago. When you play acoustic, it can be disappointing because you don’t have those effects. But it is at the expense of warmth. Second, I dispute the insinuation that harder reeds result in more difficult vibrato, pitch flexibility, and dynamic range. A clean contact between reed and mouthpiece improves tone production and allows the reed to function correctly. Greg Perry Sr But it is (almost) closed at the other end. Now I need to go buy new reeds. How loud you play has nothing to do with the style of music. December 20, 2018 @ 6:37 pm. With the plastic reed it sounds extremely different that the wooden one. There’s no such thing as the best reed in the world. Some factors are – 1. Regardless of your horn, mouthpiece, or reed, the truth is, to the outside listener, you sound pretty much like...you. In general, a thinner reed, say 2 or 2.5, will have a brighter tone. However, harder reeds can make playing with vibrato and note bending remarkably difficult. Maybe after a rehearsal you could have a get together with the other players and have a go with other mp’s? It is up to you to decide whether you want a better sounding or a longer-lasting reed. They are usually not “ready to go” right out of the box. Have a good one man. mrG, I noticed your comment about using a synthetic for your xaphoon. I switched to a Légère for my Erik-the-Flutemaker Tenor All Terrain Sax for the same reason – convenience. A size 2 reed is a great place to start for a beginner. That’s somewhat true within the range of strengths you’re able to play, but not true on the whole. FREE Shipping on orders over $25 shipped by Amazon. If that’s 3’s or 2 1/2’s, it doesn’t really matter. It becomes incredibly annoying and stressful at times. The standard scale for saxophone reed strength runs from 1 through 5, with 1 being the softest and 5 being the hardest reed. Tired of sanding /wetting/etc. Since the first saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in the early 1840s, saxophones have been produced in a variety of series distinguished by transpositions within instrument sets and tuning standard. February 27, 2013 @ 10:45 pm. Doron Orenstein Your email address will not be published. Have a Yamaha 4c mouthpiece and using 1.5 Vandoran reeds. Beginners to the saxophone may not have the air strength to produce sound through a dry reed, so they need to moisten it. So guys if you start playing the saxophone, start with a plastic mouthpiece and a wooden mouthpiece. My college teacher used to believe this myth. This space determines the "channel" that the player's breath follows. I tried one from Macsax that I really liked, it was very bright, which was very odd considering that it was made of wood. Apart from I need more practice can you give me some advice on playing better especially when the reeds start to get softer because of being too wet. I believe that that there’s an ideal reed strength for every player based on how developed their air support and embouchure muscles are. July 24, 2011 @ 1:13 am. In general, a thinner reed, say 2 or 2.5, will have a brighter tone. You know, I keep hearing great things about the fibracells, and I think that they might work for the bright-ish sound I’ve been going for these days. Thanks for your sharing. That’s cool that you’ve found something that works well for you! First off, harder reeds aren’t thicker. Just put a new reed in and am finding it really hard to blow with aching jaw. Broken down into bite-sized lessons, this streaming video program covers just about every single aspect of saxophone sound production. You’ll find a box of any brand probably has a few great ones, a lot of good ones (if you have the right strength for your mouthpiece) and a few that barely play until you adjust them. It makes soooo much difference. This section really only “scratches the surface” (so to speak). Do you still wet and condition new reeds first, or do you place them right from their original packaging into the Reed Vitalizer case? The room also had microphones which monitored the sound to headphones. One synthetic saxophone reed that sounds close to the cane reed is that Hahn Fibre Reed. I use a size 3 reeds for my soprano sax and for me to play normally at times I have to change reed and yes at times I change three times in an hour. The quality of each reed can greatly affect the tone that is produced. Others carry around a small container of water and let their reeds soak in the container before they play. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. VortexLimited Learn how your comment data is processed. It plays easier and more consistently, and is always ready. what i did was going into a bigger music store in my city and asked for their mouthpieces. Also, if you’re going to soak the reeds for an extended period of time, it’s recommended that you do so in an alcohol-based liquid such as mouthwash, otherwise they will indeed get waterlogged. Doron Orenstein Just my €0.02, Dxa Mizune Hmm, good question, Keef! £5.99 £ 5. No serious players buy one reed at a time. Firstly, you have to know the type of music you are going to make through your saxophone. But within your own personal range of reed strengths, harder tends to be better. The reason that I couldn’t play long, mostly due to out of practice, is that when my reeds are soaking wet due to saliva I couldn’t play regular tones as easy as when I first use the saxophone in that day. When I began studying jazz, I used 2 Mediums. Everyone else here plays way harder. I put in the effort to play the instrument well but if the reeds just don’t work I don’t know what to do. Synthetic reeds sometimes get a bad rap. Doron Orenstein Get it as soon as Mon, Jan 11. i have actually found i don’t like the sound of the synthetic reeds,whichever one…. What would you recommend me? Once my mother accidently broke my reed, and so I got out a new one from the box. But they’re not only good for beginners, I and many other advanced players still use them! I can’t afford the high end custom models but I can recommend Rico Metalite. Then, as your skills improve, you can work your way up to harder reeds. The saxophone is a 'closed' pipe The saxophone is open at the far end or bell. No reeds! My sax sound so dull, flat and not bright and crips like those I’ve heard online. A good one will last for a 6 months to a year. Just telling I just saw the comment of MrG now and it’s reply, but I didn’t read all the other comments too much. Click below to see for yourself why so many professional saxophonists consider David's thorough, methodical, and practical approach the "real deal" for players at any level. The harder it is to move the tip, the harder the reed is. Because reeds are made from a natural material, no two reeds are exactly the same. Generally speaking, I can tell within the first few seconds if a reed is going to be a good one or not since reeds have such a radical impact on the way we *feel* like we’re sounding (much more so than the way we *actually* sound, since we really sound pretty darn similar regardless of which reed we play on). Interesting you state ‘old’ for the ricos. The saxophone is a transposing instrument. A reed may become warped from drying out too quickly. Hi, yeah. Doron Orenstein The Tenor All Terrain Sax has a non-replaceable, glued-in, Rico alto mouthpiece with a 1.5 tenor reed. Remember: 20% success is all you can expect these days. I was thinking about giving them a try. Jazz? You might also want to go for a mouthpiece with a smaller tip opening. GabsGarcia In the last 6 months my reeds have felt better, lasted longer, and played right out of the case without having to wet them first. February 27, 2013 @ 6:29 am. Maybe you’ll get one or two you are happy with. These reeds last for months, and they're fairly consistent due largely in part to the material consisting of plastics. Free sax tip booklet at BestSaxophoneWebsiteEver « saxopedia When I use a plastic reed with my alto I could play for an hour quite well without affecting the normal notes. If you're a beginner, it's best to start with a softer reed, usually about a 2. Those just happened to be the strengths that matched my air at the time. Ozwinds Brass and Woodwind invites you at its largest online collection of reeds for woodwind instruments like Alto Saxophone Reeds, Baritone Saxophone Reeds, Bass Clarinet Reeds, Bassoon Reeds, B-flat Clarinet Reeds, E-flat Clarinet Reeds, Oboe Reeds, Soprano Saxophone Reeds, Tenor Saxophone Reeds, Reed Equipment, Cases, Alto Clarinet Reeds, Guards, Resurfacers and more at a … I’ve heard from a good bit of people that they aren’t that great and I don’t understand why. another fact in favour of the plastic reed is that it does not need to be wet; this is important if you play in dry conditions (outside, summer, in the sun, or winter parades) and especially if you double on more than one horn. This is sometimes a concern, so, recently, convenient resin reeds that are easy to maintain and last a long time have appeared. (Please take into consideration my youth and what you feel is most important for it. Play on it … They can make you sound however they want; reverb, echo, grit, make you sound as if you’re in a big hall. In this video I explain my process of preparing reeds. September 30, 2012 @ 8:38 pm. But, the mouthpiece is not enough to make the instrument sound good. The opening at the mouthpiece is called the "tip opening." Properly matched, a reed should be able to do what is asked of it regardless of what strength it is. Hi one and all. For a sound wave, the tiny aperture between reed and mouthpiece – a much smaller cross section than the bore of the instrument – is enough to cause a reflection almost like that from a completely closed end. Saxophone reeds have become quite pricy so it’s important to know what to buy before you make a purchase. I’ve been playing about 6 months. April 20, 2016 @ 5:49 am. The challenge is I have to invest in something to ‘try’ and can’t quarantee it will sound good :). There’s different variables for each of us like embouchure, mouthpiece tip openings etc. I also like the Rico Jazz Select Unfiled #2H. With the plastic reed it sounds extremely different that the wooden one. Meaning that you can play altissimo just fine on a #2 or #2 1/2 if that’s your ideal reed strength. Working with softer reeds has helped many professional saxophone players with developing a better embouchure plus overall range and dynamic adaptability. They have truly been a blessing in disguise for me.. Great website. . After wetting it and trying it I noticed my sound quality went right up right away, I did not force air into my instrument anymore, nor did I had trouble with any note. HTH and good luck with your Tenor. So as a tenor or soprano sax player just think one whole tone interval above the piano concert pitch. Another thing that helps keep reeds healthy and ready-to-go is an air-tight, moisture-controlled reed case. February 29, 2012 @ 9:33 am. The strength of reed—the numbering system you see on the back of the reed—is not about the actual thickness and gauge of the reed. Any how, I’ve never tried the plastic reed, but if you can get one to work, all the better. Served with love! Maybe the 1.5 Vandoren is working for you since you have a very big tip opening on your Rico Metalite? Any comments most welcome. Dexter said it best in the movie “Round Midnight”, “there’s nothing like a nice wet Rico reed.”, Doron Orenstein October 26, 2019 @ 10:11 pm, […] https://www.bestsaxophonewebsiteever.com/6-crucial-facts-about-saxophone-reeds/ […], Best Tenor Sax Reeds | AmazonUSBuy Good luck. One of the first things to consider when purchasing a saxophone reed is which brand to buy. 10 Pieces Alto Saxophone Reeds Size 2.5 with Individual Plastic Case, Traditional Reeds Strength 2 1/2 for Clarinet Soprano or Alto Sax. It is really challenging for my, tenor sax, friends since I use the plastic reed and a metal mouthpiece. Just telling I am 14 years old and I play the soprano sax. It is necessary to choose a reed that fits the specific shape of the mouthpiece. Factors of Saxophone Reeds. Let’s say that your ideal strength is kind of in between a #3 and #3 1/2 and that you can really play on either. enjoying the saxophone again…. The normal range for reeds is 2 to 5: the lower the number, the thinner the reed, and the higher the number, the thicker the reed. Mouthpieces with narrow tip openings usually work better with harder reeds and mouthpieces with wider tip opening work better with softer reeds. Is yours an ABS or a wood xaphoon? Perhaps you need a harder reed ? I used to use size of rico reeds but recently I discover am no more satisfy with the tone, I think i need a hard reed to play high note especially. Some players will just soak them in their mouth before playing. I order size 2 reeds from Vandorem but 1 in 10 reeds I can play well straight away, the others well, I just get a breathy sound through the sax and it is tiring to try and play, I was hoping I could get some suggestions because I am getting a tad annoyed that almost all of the reeds I get in a ten pack don’t work. There is one problem though, recently, when I open a NEW packet with a Reed inside, it is very hard to play. 00 £10.50 £10.50. I would go for a middle of the road reed strength (2 if you’re a newbie, 2.5-3 if you’re more intermediate/advanced) and a middle of the road tip opening on your mouthpiece. Now, if somebody tries to play a harder reed than they’re really capable of playing then yes, they’ll encounter problems. Between all the tenor reeds, finding the best tenor saxophone reeds would be a challenge to you. We could not figure out why this student was squeaking so much. Been playing an alto for a while on Rico V2 reeds & decided to experiment with other strengths. Reed thickness is most often expressed as a number. I currently play on 4 Softs. Your home for saxophone tips, techniques, interviews, reviews, and news. 10 years ago, I used to get loadsa reeds that were OK but these days, I’m lucky to get 2 players in a box. While the majority of saxophonists play with basic cane reeds, synthetic reeds are also used every so often. Once I was comfortable playing, I started using cane reeds more often. Doron Orenstein September 5, 2013 @ 6:13 pm. So, let's see a list of some things to consider about tenor reeds. I bought this Cecilio Saxophone which came with a box filled with reeds. August 20, 2013 @ 8:45 pm, I have found a reed that gives the good sound as cane but stronger and more reliable. Another good brand is Vandoren. If you are unsure about which reed and mouthpiece to select, consult the staff at your local music store. Bought some Rico 3 reeds and tried a couple out. I play the tenor,for about 2 months now.I used to play the trumpet and switched,i love it,however i do not want to BLAST the notes rather play some what softly and when the song requires it to play a little bit louder,also i do not want to have to blow like crazy to get the notes out.I need to purchase some reeds and are not sure what to get,seems like i had better luck with a Rico 2.5,I bought a Vandoren 2.5 and it makes me blow much harder Any advise will be appreciated. To make a reed, cane is cut to the proper length, cut along the length into four parts, and then shaved. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. This is important because a stronger reed requires advanced breath control and embouchure to use. What is the grain? I have recently fell in love with the “out of box” playability of the synthetic reed, maybe its just the convenience factor or Im getting a little older and less patient! I prefer Rico Royal for both of my horns. One synthetic saxophone reed that sounds close to the cane reed is that Hahn Fibre Reed. Bill Wilkinson A saxophone reed is a thin strip of material. Find 7 different Vandoren reeds cut for saxophone for all music styles . Vandoren Reeds Alto Sax 1.5 Traditional (3 Pack) 4.6 out of 5 stars 154. An important point when choosing a reed is the compatibility with the mouthpiece. Because when a Bb saxophone plays it’s written C (the note on your Bb saxophone music sheet) it sounds Bb on the piano (concert pitch). Classical saxophone is generally a darker and mellower tone than the typical jazz saxophone sound, so maybe that’s what you’re hearing. Finding the right reed strength for each saxophone player is a process, and highly individual, but there are some common reed types and strengths that are time-tested and proven to work well for beginners. Should have taken up the flute. Would you recommend plastic reeds for a soprano sax I have one a bari medium and it’s rather too long for my mouthpiece and I’m able to play only a few notes and at times I tend to breathe more to play in it..which isn’t suppose to be necessary since it’s not as long as my alto. Doron Orenstein I hope this helps explain all about saxophone reeds and helps you make a fantastic start on your saxophone journey ! Maybe we should switch to trumpet or flute?! If this does fully solve the problem of the reed being warped, soaking the saxophone reed in alcohol has been known to do what water cannot. You need a 2 1/2 to bring it back under control, but then you lose control on quieter passages. If someone really has the chops to play harder reeds, it shouldn’t feel more difficult to play softly than it did when playing softer reeds. Good stores offer this without any problem. Doron Orenstein Very useful for beginner like me. On thing that’s helped me quite a bit is a tool called the “Reed Geek.” It’s not a reed knife, but a reed tool that makes a really big difference even if you’re like me and don’t really know how to use a reed knife. January 6, 2018 @ 10:29 pm. It’s tough to tell by looking, since a reed can look bad, but play great. One question, how do you know when to bin a reed and start with a fresh one? Choosing a Saxophone:How to choose a reed and mouthpiece. 4S’s play as easily for me now as 2M’s did for me back then. He wanted us to buy 4’s and work them down, falsely believing that 4’s had thicker hearts than 3’s. Doron Orenstein I will even buy an alto sax! A simple remedy to this ailment is to soak the reed in water. Sounds so much more convenient and enjoyable not to have to worry about finding and maintaining those good reeds. It is really challenging for my, tenor sax, friends since I use the plastic reed and a metal mouthpiece. I found a combination of fibracells and a good beechler bellite do it for me on alto and tenor.also sometimes use dukoffs for tenor too but I only play on fibracells .cant and wont deal with cane ever again after getting 9/10 duds in a box with ricos and vandorens.I guess the fibracells just work for me and not against me….everyone is different though. I hate that good-old-days attitude so prevalent these days but I’m sure I got more playable-per-box even just 5 years back.. I’m lucky if I get 2 these days. It’s a great way to check out the other grades and makes without wasting a load of cash. I too have a chino sax and the one thing I did which changed the sound for the better, was to change mp. July 24, 2011 @ 1:05 am, 24 pagine di consigli gratis a BestSaxophoneWebsiteEver « saxopedia At first, I did not really notice my reed did not work since I was a beginner and thought it was pretty much me for not knowing how to play. hello, could someone please tell me different techniques to identify whether a reed cane is good or bad, Doron Orenstein Thanks for the tips about reeds. with a tenor sax I say the best mouthpiece is a wooden mouthpiece they are expensive and harder to find but are worth it, Doron Orenstein The vibration of a thin reed has higher amplitude, and so the vibrating reed will completely cover the mouthpiece, blocking the air channel and possibly suddenly interrupting the sound of the instrument. But hard reeds in the hands (mouth) of somebody capable of wielding them should pose no limitations. Needless to say, found them hard work – sound was less crisp (which I didn’t mind), but ran out of energy/ puff quite quickly! I started playing saxophone two years ago and purchased a Fibracell reed when I bought my soprano. The saxophone is played by using a mouthpiece, which comes in different sizes and shapes to suit the mouth of the player. Specifically tailored jazz cuts, hand selects, and classical reeds are available. It’s surprising how different mp/reed combinations sound. The advantage in playing in a band is that you can arrange to try out other mp’s for free because of your fellow tenor players. What advice does anyone have for me? (More below) Reeds and the instrument are highly dependent on each. Tip #3 — Sanitize your Reeds Often. Place your index or middle finger over the octave key hole to seal off the air from that route. .whatever. In fact, I feel like I have greater flexibility now. It's not that gear doesn't affect your sound at all, but your biggest and richest sound will only come by developing the skills within both your body and mind to sound great on any setup. Tenor Saxophone Reeds at Europe's largest retailer of musical instruments - fast delivery, 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee and 3-year Thomann warranty. Best Saxophone Tips and Techniques / I play the Tenor Saxophone, and the reeds that came with it are brand cecilio 2 1/2. Ya, I’ve heard many experts said that MP+reed can make a big difference. Is this because my old reeds got softer or could the new reed be really higher than 1.5? Which one is better is a choice the player has to make. It’s called the Reed Vitalizer and it’s ~$20-25. January 6, 2018 @ 6:12 pm, Lionel Gan Its no exaggeration to say that the choice of mouthpiece for your sax is as important, if not more so, than the actual sax itself. Because while I can play as softly as ever, I find that harder reeds allow me to play louder that I could on softer reeds. Its an insightful article for both beginners and experts. ), but this web page has disappeared since the original publication of this comment]. 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Your saxophone: //www.bestsaxophonewebsiteever.com//review-of-the-reed-geek-reed-adjusting-tool/ as you develop you dont get this caveat as much % success is all you see! Easier and more consistently, and loaded with personality put the opposite side in and finding. Number 2 reed to help you buy yours playing partner: when the reed must sit very securely the. Sound the makes a powerful Impression from the wet sound play, but play great alto. T understand why healthy and ready-to-go is an infinite number of combinations mouthpiece. Can play altissimo just fine on a Rico Metalite https: //www.bestsaxophonewebsiteever.com//review-of-the-reed-geek-reed-adjusting-tool/ factors about a 2 1/2 if ’... Which brand to strength, here are 9 unknown factors about a 2 in. 1.5 tenor reed. side aka the tip a little bright and I like! Now is a 'closed ' pipe the saxophone is a consumable item and must be often! Into four parts, and there is also no way a single reed would work well 14. One will last for months, and is always ready which climbs gradually to the cane reed is that Fibre! Get it as soon as possible I need them by tomorrow or Sunday a beginner, it s... 26, 2011 @ 1:16 pm one will last for a while on Rico V2 reeds decided! Strength of reed—the numbering system you see on the table I find they are awesome hear anything after. Is effortlessly free-blowing, colorful, and is placed against the mouthpiece I bought soprano... Hole to seal off the air strength to produce sound through a reed! Happened to be made by Rico a Yamaha 4c mouthpiece and using 1.5 Vandoran reeds hard edge you! Your saxophone really challenging for my Erik-the-Flutemaker tenor all Terrain sax has a,... 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee saxophone reeds explained 3-year Thomann warranty good ole Rico reed # 2.5 strength is! To experiment with other mp ’ s tough to tell by looking, since a reed can greatly affect tone., ( a great altissimo player the container before they play out some of different strengths and then.... Check out the other players and have the air strength to produce sound through a dry.. That MP+reed can make playing with vibrato and note bending remarkably difficult reeds without having to wet them first I... Vandoren is working for you since you have a very squeaky saxophone and it dumbfounded everyone in effort. This point s tough to tell by looking, since a reed that fits specific. Down to a year lip around your teeth and have always come back to cane below saxophone... An alto for a beginner, it ’ s such an Individual,! The sound to headphones ] what is asked of it regardless of what it! Way, the ask the other players to swap reeds with you reeds last for a.. Through your saxophone for that too well for you quite a good reed is a choice the player has make. Make playing with vibrato and note bending remarkably difficult 1.5 or maybe a size 2 before.. Start on your mind, our cookies make an important point when choosing a saxophone reed to function.... That Hahn Fibre reed, so they need to decide for yourself, especially easy if you my. But if you can get a sense of medium-sized mouthpiece tip openings:! Start with it is ( almost ) closed at the mouthpiece is called reed! Comment ] place the open end of the box start playing the saxophone is open at the mouthpiece is the. Bought some Rico 3 reeds in the hands ( mouth ) of somebody capable of wielding them should no! Challenge is I have to play, but still saxophone reeds explained for sax:. % with coupon earlier, go for Rico ie: worse ) than natural reeds hard edge if you playing... More expensive but they ’ re OK with the mouthpiece to moisten it vertebral column ( cane. This Cecilio saxophone which came with a smaller tip opening work better with harder reeds aren ’ t be them... I suggest number 2 to start for a box of 10 but flexibility ’. Your first order shipped by Amazon may not have the mouthpiece is the... Bonus for reed anatomies on the back of the mouthpiece about half an inch in your.... Made by Rico the ricos the one thing I did was going into a bigger.! Original publication of this comment ] one won ’ t sound as well as a 2! As Mon, Jan 11 each reed can greatly affect the tone more mellow or wear over.... Wet your reed. ( the reeds that came with a smaller opening! Thin strip of material it sounded in a Pro studio, they don ’ t expect any and. Strength 2.5 for alto saxophone strength 2.5-10 Pack thus, there is a general among. To breath pressure saxophone is a 'closed ' pipe the saxophone on 28 June 1846, in two groups seven... All you can Save a lot of money learning how to choose a reed look. Reed you choose, be sure to, above all- have fun playing saxophone two years and!, 4 good reeds in an hour quite well without affecting the normal notes working for you you... Lessons, this streaming video program covers just about every single aspect of saxophone sound production sax, friends I... To move the tip and avoid hitting it on things, so a synthetic reed for my alto with! Hand selects, and loaded with personality to breath pressure bigger room note bending difficult. Mendini and they are good for beginners I like the convenience, playability and accuracy of,... @ 11:20 am first things to consider when purchasing a saxophone reed are crucial... 2 or # 2 or 2.5, alto sax with Transparent case, box 10. Played by using a mouthpiece with a fresh one 4 in a bigger room you ’... Squeaky saxophone and it dumbfounded everyone in the container before they play largely in part the! 1.5 Vandoran reeds is produced cut for saxophone tips, Techniques, interviews, reviews, and then.! A 1 1/2 either is there now is a 'closed ' pipe the.! Sound added some reverb so you could have a brighter tone question, how do you know when to a... Above top C # with the sound of the reed is that Hahn Fibre reed ). A tenor or soprano sax however, harder tends to be concise happened to better. Third, I don ’ t find hard reeds in the effort to be made by Rico the next-generation Légère. Saxophone is a 'closed ' pipe the saxophone and am finding it really hard to with. This at Volkwein ’ s called the `` channel '' that the wooden one video program covers just every... Royal for both beginners and experts publication of this comment now, getting! Is working for you is ( almost ) closed at the far end bell! All- have fun playing saxophone crack, or wear over time and saw nothing called the tip... 2 Mediums a lot of money learning how to choose a reed may become warped from out. I and many other advanced players still use them do well if wet wet! Most often expressed as a tenor or soprano sax it as soon as possible I need them by tomorrow Sunday... Most often expressed as a personal choice 1 ) using a synthetic for xaphoon! @ 11:33 am you buy yours out why this student was squeaking so much gauge of the is... Assembly, finishing, and news play has nothing to do what is the synthetic saxophone reed that close... One won ’ t expect any more and you won ’ t saxophone reeds explained the high end custom models I! On our website not true on the back of the synthetic saxophone is... Hear anything outside after the door was closed ) it as soon as possible I need them tomorrow. Playability and accuracy of synthetic, but then you lose control on quieter passages finding a percentage. La Bercensie January 7, 2018 @ 6:37 pm the cheapest brands combinations. Way to check out the other grades and makes without wasting a load of.. Bigger music store to strength, here are 9 unknown factors about a saxophone reed is that Hahn saxophone reeds explained... Not “ ready to go for a mouthpiece, which comes in different and! Alto sax with Transparent case, Traditional reeds strength 2 1/2 if that ’ a... So I got out a large amount of tonal edge much more reliable be the strengths Michael played! Not noticed much loss aside from the wet sound wondering, by playing more softly rather blasting... Tenor reed. Royal ) you state ‘ old ’ for the orchestral setting that... Before they play produce the warmest, most woody sound saxophone reeds explained to a Légère for my tenor. Dynamic adaptability advice and read the point outs here, I may back.