Reed Questions

[midwestsjazz]

1. My band director does not like plastic reeds at all. He doesn't think that they sound all that great. So I did what any other high school student would do, buy some. So I'm wondering: What is difference (sound wise) between regular old cane and plastic reeds?

2. Peolpe in my band think that Vandoren blue box reeds are the only way to go and that everything else is not good at all especially Rico. but Rico is cheaper and when you're playing Tenor or Bari you want cheap. So what is the truth about those brands?

3. Is there a difference between a black ligature with the screws on the top and a regular old ligature?

[midwestsjazz]

Sorry about question 3

[midwestsjazz]

Sorry, another thing:
4. I know that when a reed becomes damaged or old that your are supposed to get rid of it but I just don't have the money to keep buying reeds that often, what should I do?

[Dave Dolson]

Midwest: If you have both kinds (plastic and cane), why not tell us what you think about them?

As to making old, tired reeds play again, good luck. You may want to trim a very small part off the tip (that would tend to stiffen the reed), or shave down the vamp with a sharp knife blade (scraping off a small amount of bark) but that tends to weaken a reed's strength (which for me I like but for others it may not work, especially with the closer tip-openings used by many beginners and students).

I use Vandoren Java reeds on alto and soprano, and Alexander Superials on soprano, also. On clarinet, I use a Fibracell (synthetic but it doesn't look like plastic). I'm not up on "blue box", I know them by their design-name. DAVE

[JupiterSaxMan]

Hey midwest,
Teachers and peers can give you lots of advice and thats great musicians trading knowledge and stuff. But i think that you really should put less focus on your peers and teachers advice and try it out for yourself. listen for differences. Buy plastic reeds and compare them to cane. If you like the sound you get don't worry bout your band director. Though i do like Vandoren Blue Box as well as JAVA's

[Saxproof]

As to reeds getting old or damaged..You'l just have to work with it if you can't get new reeds. Compare the Rico reeds next to the Vandoren reeds, if you find no difference, why buy Vandoren? Stick with what you feel is right and don't worry about your peers. Also, instead of Vandoren Blue Boxes, their are other brands that are favoured by many players such as Alexander, Hemke reeds.