What strength reeds do you use?

[Yamahaaltoplayer]

I know many different brands use a different scale so compare to the Vandoren Traditional reeds. Like what it would equal strength to a Vandoren Traditional.:) I use JAVA 3s, btw (which would equal Traditional 2.5s).

[Spongebob Saxpants]

I use Vandoren traditional 3.5 on clarinet, Vandoren ZZ 3.5 on alto, and Vandoren ZZ 3 on soprano.

[jicaino]

1.75 on alto, 1.75 on soprano, 2 on tenor, 2.5 on Bb clarinet, 1.75 on Eb alto clarinet, 2 on Bb bass clarinet, 2 on baritone.

[dirty]

I'm going to pass on voting, because I use lots of different reeds...

Vandoren V12 #4 on clarinet. Equivalent to about a traditional #3.5
Vandoren #3.5 on bass clarinet.
LaVoz Medium on tenor. That's kind of like a Vandoren #2.
Rico Royal #3.5 on bari. Supposedly the same as a Vandoren #3, but I'm not sure about that. Blue box bari reeds are really, really hard, in my experience. And Rico Royals are kind of soft.
Vandoren V16 #3 on soprano. In between blue box #2.5 and #3. Might move down to Java #3 or Blue Box #2.5, but that probably won't be until after I get through this box.

These damn horns are going to put me in the poorhouse with all these reeds they need!

This is why I often go through weeks when I have to live off of $3/dozen day-old bagels!

[Yamahaaltoplayer]

I guess if you use a lot of reeds, use the average of all those numbers.:)

[dirty]

I guess if you use a lot of reeds, use the average of all those numbers.:)

I can do that, I guess, but what meaningful data would that provide? Are you trying to figure something out here, or are you just collecting arbitrary numbers for fun?

I don't have a problem with either. I'm just wondering.

edit: I guess I'm averaging right around a #3.

[Yamahaaltoplayer]

I want to see if most people use reeds stronger than 3 or more people ues less than 3s. And I want to see is anyone uses 5. I guess it's almost, pretty much, for fun.:p

[bluesaxgirl]

Already a thread on this...somewhere. :) (I think I started it too. Lol.)
But I play on a Vandoren Traditional 3, I believe the majority will be 3 and 3.5...

[bandmommy]

I use 5's on me Eb soprano clarinet.
The rest average out to roughly a 3.5

[bluesaxgirl]

I use 5's on me Eb soprano clarinet.


Wow.:shock:

[Yamahaaltoplayer]

I use 5's on me Eb soprano clarinet.
The rest average out to roughly a 3.5

:oWait, what are the effects of using a harder reed anyways, on sound.

[paulman]

I think that man must choose the reed before and after adapt to it the mouthpiece. Naturally after many eprouves.
Very,very minus expensive! But reeds are not always so right. It depends from the producer. Rico, for ex., are more easy than Vandoren.
However I tell what I'm using.
My reed is Rico 2 1/2. I'm using that with Otto Link 8* on Tenor (1926 Conn gold plated), that with NY Meyer Medium 6 on Alto (King Super 20 SG), that with Selmer C* on Soprano Selmer Mark 6.
Paolo Mannelli.

[bluesaxgirl]

:oWait, what are the effects of using a harder reed anyways, on sound.
I'm not sure, but altissimo pops out on a harder reed for me on sax...but then no low notes do...
No sound difference, it's 'embouchure' preference. Unless you have a really soft reed and the notes plop out, or a really hard one and you hear your airstream with the sound.

[bandmommy]

:oWait, what are the effects of using a harder reed anyways, on sound.

For me on clarinet the harder reeds help center my tone and keep the upper register from sounding thin.

It depends a lot on your embouchure, tip opening of your mouthpiece, and your own concept of SOUND.

Just use what works for you.

[Spongebob Saxpants]

Harder reeds generally work better on more closed tips, with the opposite true for soft reeds. Soft reeds generally make the low and mid range easier, with harder reeds making the upper and altissimo range easier.

[Yamahaaltoplayer]

So... I should get a JAVA 3.5 or 4 (3 and 3.5 on the Vandoren Trad. scale) if I want to make altissimo easier? I can only get altissimo E, F, and (barely) F#.

[Spongebob Saxpants]

So... I should get a JAVA 3.5 or 4 if I want to make altissimo easier? I can only get altissimo E, F, and (barely) F#.

Depends. Moving up a strength can make altissimo eaiser, but it can also make the low notes more difficult to play. Try both, and see how you like it, but if you are using harder reeds as a crutch for altissimo, it will come back to bite you.

[SoLongEric]

I'm really diggin the Rico Jazz Select 4H

[Yamahaaltoplayer]

I don't have much problems with the low end. I barely use it. So maybe I should switch soon...

[Spongebob Saxpants]

Well, my preference is to play on the hardest reed that can still play well in the low end. That way, I can play fairly easily throughout the whole range without working too hard...

[Yamahaaltoplayer]

Ok, thanks. I really like the higher notes and I REALLY want to be able to get lower altissimo nailed.

[TommyD69]

I use different reeds strengths (of Rico Royals) for different mouthpiece tip gaps. On my LT I use a 3, on my Otto Link NY 5* I use a 2.5 and for my Otto Link 7* I use a 2.

With the wrong reed and mouthpiece combo,
don't confuse "volume" and "projection" with "having to blow your brains out to get the reed to move"!

It's OK to use a smaller tip gap, and a softer reed... Honest....

[dstack79]

I agree that reed strength should always be chosen in relation to the mouthpiece. Some need softer reeds, some need harder ones. That being said, I tend to like a 7 or 7* tip on tenor and a hard #3 or soft #3.5. I feel if I play anything softer, the tone gets too buzzy and shrill. If I play anything harder, I can't play beefy long notes or the low register very well.

-Dan

[harmonizerNJ]

I don't have much problems with the low end. I barely use it. So maybe I should switch soon...

If you are barely using the low end of your alto, then you are missing out. Playing the low end is what makes the high end of your alto more interesting to listen to, in the same way that a band's loud notes will sound much better if they can play softly well.

The most effective "loud playing" I have ever heard was the Count Basie band, because they played softly, got you sitting at the edge of your chair, and then "Bam!" they knocked you into the back of your seat.

Phil Woods and Cannonball sound better up high because they use the entire horn from top to bottom.

[Yamahaaltoplayer]

I like the low end. Just that nothing below low D comes up often (or ever for that matter). Nothing above high A either.

[Spongebob Saxpants]

I like the low end. Just that nothing below low D comes up often (or ever for that matter). Nothing above high A either.

That's what solos are for! :D

[Yamahaaltoplayer]

That's what solos are for! :D

You've got a smart answer for everything, don't you?;)

[Spongebob Saxpants]

You've got a smart answer for everything, don't you?;)

I'll go ahead and take that as a compliment... 8-)

[Yamahaaltoplayer]

I'll go ahead and take that as a compliment... 8-)

Oh, no.

[trane in training]

I go for 5 on alto and between 4 and 5 on tenor for classical (vandoren traditional). For jazz I like me some RSJ 4 soft

[harmonizerNJ]

I'll go ahead and take that as a compliment... 8-)

BE the Spongebob. That's it!

[buddy lee]

I just strap a 2x4 to my mouthpiece and let er rip. I laugh at you weaklings using size 5's.

=P

[harmonizerNJ]

I just strap a 2x4 to my mouthpiece and let er rip. I laugh at you weaklings using size 5's.

=P

I'm using titanium.

[Spongebob Saxpants]

I'm using titanium.

Mine's diamond.

[Kelpie]

I've found a harder reed more controllable on a C*. I use a La Voz med hard or Hemke 3.

[Yamahaaltoplayer]

Mine's diamond.

Mine's not solid.XD

[zxcvbnm]

I use a vandoren traditional 5 on one of my buescher mouthpieces and a 3 on my other one. Just really depends on what kind of sound I'm looking for at the time.

[Yamahaaltoplayer]

Vandoren TRADITIONAL? FIVE? Wow...

[zxcvbnm]

It's not really a wow factor, IMO, I bet anyone could play at least a 3.5 on that mouthpiece, the tip is quite closed. It's really about playing the reed that is most comfortable for you on a certain mouthpiece. I could easily play a 3.5 or 4 on my other Buescher mouthpiece but the three just feels the best to me.

[renegade]

With my Otto Link Tone Edge 7, I am comfortable with a Java 2 reed on my alto.

[Yamahaaltoplayer]

It's not really a wow factor, IMO, I bet anyone could play at least a 3.5 on that mouthpiece, the tip is quite closed. It's really about playing the reed that is most comfortable for you on a certain mouthpiece. I could easily play a 3.5 or 4 on my other Buescher mouthpiece but the three just feels the best to me.

True. Never thought about the closed tip factor. It would still be hard for me...