What Strength Reeds?

[Giganova]

Hi all --

I am playing tenor sax for three years now (on & off) and feel comfortable with #2.5 strength reeds (Rico Jazz Select on a Keilwerth SX90 tenor horn and a Barone 7* mpc). Sometimes I switch to #3 reeds and have much better control over the tone production, but it requires a muuuch larger effort.

Should I stick to the #2.5 reeds or would you suggest that a make an effort and "step up" to harder reeds to develop my enbrochure more?

Thanks!

[BlueNote]

It all boils down to what you like.

If you like the sound you get on a certain reed, keep using it. I used to use 2.5 strength reeds, but gradually worked my way up the ladder, now playing on 4 strength reeds. Harder doesn't always mean better for everyone. I just like the big sound I get with the reeds I use on the mouthpiece I play on.

[kavala]

Practise long notes and do some situps and you will naturally gravitate
to harder reeds.
You'll know when they are too soft.

[Clarinophonist]

A good exercise i do, is practice long tones on my alto with a hard reed a 4, then when it comes to playing i use a 3.5 because it makes it so much easier and relaxed to play with. Its like lifting weights, learn how to lift something heavier makes the lighter stuff easier.

[Pete Thomas]

Hi all --

I am playing tenor sax for three years now (on & off) and feel comfortable with #2.5 strength reeds (Rico Jazz Select on a Keilwerth SX90 tenor horn and a Barone 7* mpc). Sometimes I switch to #3 reeds and have much better control over the tone production, but it requires a muuuch larger effort.

Should I stick to the #2.5 reeds or would you suggest that a make an effort and "step up" to harder reeds to develop my enbrochure more?

Thanks!

I use softish reeds (2.5). I used to use 4s, but found that the softer reeds give me much more versatility of expression. It's a fallacy that soft reeds are easier to play. At first I found the softer reeds actually harder to play properly, you need to develop not just your embouchure but also your diaphragm support to be able to get a big loud sound over the entire range with soft reeds, but it's worth the effort.

I find that switching to harder reeds inoreder to get more volume or altissimo is a bit of an easy short cut that can have an adverse effect on your range and expression.

[gary]

Giganova I don't think the problem is the reed strength, it is most definitely the mouthpiece! No kidding.
The reed strength is O.K. Send me your Barone and I'll send you a coupl'a boxes of 2.5 strength reeds.

But..regarding reed strength, I just think it's a personal thing and I'll also bet that whatever you do now you're likely to fool around with different reed strengths later on :shock: . I use #3 reeds on alto, tenor and soprano as my median test-case strength, regardless of mouthpiece or style of music. So, I'll usually start with a #3 and then go soft or stronger as required.

I'm sure you also are aware that different cuts, model and make of reeds vary even if the box says #3 -and then within the box it can vary. Also, I've found that the baffle can make a difference, i.e. I have gone to larger openings on high-baffle mpc's and yet not decreased the reed strength to compensate for the larger opening.

edit: I was just listing the various reed strengths and make/models I use on different mouthpieces, horns and for different styles, and realized it got too specific. The general result of all of that, though, is that I mix strengths depending on the mpc, type reed and style of music. But to reiterate, usually related to how a #3 Hemke feels to me on a 100 tenor mpc. So i.e. when I got the Ponzol 105 I'm using now, I started out with a #3 M RJS and found out I got the best results if I dropped to a #3 soft.