Reeds and frustration

[EFlat]

So I play BARI plastic reeds alternating between hard and medium. I am not a big fan of cane reeds, too much maintenance and I can't stand having to change them so frequently. Once I get a good plastic reed it can last me for months and my practicing and playing is wonderful and sustained, but...

BIG BUT. When that reed goes, it can easily be 2 months before I find another reed that is comfortable and plays well. So it affects practicing as I now spend 2 hours fighting with the reed to get the sound I want. Then I get worn out and don't want to practice. I can literally spend 2 months looking for and struggling through practice trying to find the right reed, then my playing regresses. The *ish is just straight depressing.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

'flat.

[Honeyboy]

I have found the Baris to be somewhat inconsistant as well. I use baritone sized Baris on my Dukoff D7 tenor. I recently ordered 4 and found they are not as good as my favorite one, which now has a small chip on the tip.:(
The replacement ones will work but still... A suggestion I would make is try Fibracells. They seem to be a bit more user friendly and cane- like in tone to me than the Baris. I use one on my alto and on 2 of my tenor mouthpieces.I prefer synthetic reeds on my outdoor blues gigs since they don't dry up and for their consistency, but if I'm doing a more subdued gig, such a church or a coffee house setting, I will use my cane reeds.

[cjmdsax]

BIG BUT. When that reed goes, it can easily be 2 months before I find another reed that is comfortable and plays well. So it affects practicing as I now spend 2 hours fighting with the reed to get the sound I want. Then I get worn out and don't want to practice. I can literally spend 2 months looking for and struggling through practice trying to find the right reed, then my playing regresses.


Sounds a lot like using cane. Might as well buy it. :D

I've made my peace with cane but I do keep Plasticovers handy.

[Raspberry 007]

So I play BARI plastic reeds alternating between hard and medium. . .
Any ideas? Thanks.
'flat.

Have you tried purchasing four BARI reeds and rotating them--you will help you avoid this issue. Then, when one of the reeds begins to fail, you replace that reed, but you still have three to continue playing.

Best,

[Dr G]

I am not a big fan of cane reeds, too much maintenance and I can't stand having to change them so frequently.

Any ideas?

Trumpet, piano, didgeridoo, guitar...

[cjmdsax]

Trumpet, piano, didgeridoo, guitar...

I wasn't going to say it . . .

[EFlat]

Ha... Dr. G. You are a funny cat.


Yeah reeds drive me nuts. Finally land a good one, and then spend x amount time looking for it again. I will try ftttf007's suggestion and try rotating those bad boys. And I will give the fibracells a look-see.

Thanks.

(Hate it when I am ready to practice and the stupid reed just aint hitting it...)

Eflat.

[SSwish]

Bari plastic reeds tend to be every bit as inconsistent as cane. I would recommend giving Plasticover or fibracell a go. However, buying cane reeds by the box just might save you time and frustration in the end. I find Hemke reeds to be pretty darn good in terms of consistency.

[Dr G]

Ha... Dr. G. You are a funny cat.

I'm glad you can laugh it off. I actually play guitar(s) and didg'.

Reeds are part of the dues of playing the saxophone. The key is to invest in some maintenance time and rotate several reeds so you always have some ready to play, some in mid-life, etc. If you buy several reeds at the same time, use them equally in rotation, then someday, some week, they should all go bad at the same time - and you're right back to hating reeds and life.

I do keep some synth reeds in my bag but for the most part, I prefer to invest in the reeds that give me the greatest satisfaction every time I play my horn. I used to play bassoon, too, so reed problems on the sax seem like child's play in contrast.

G'luck!

[bari_sax_diva]

I use BARI Star reeds on, well... bari.

When I buy them, I get about 15 at a time. When they arrive, I play-test each one, and of the 15 I bought I'll end up liking about 10. Those get numbered and put into the gig bag a few at a time. The rest I clean and give to friends/students, who often end up liking them better than I did.

In the meantime, I've got a years' worth of reeds to work with, for about $150. Can't beat it.