Reeds A Jazzy reed combo

[Päng]

Hey guys,

I play a Theo Wanne GAIA 2 and is looking to have a nice jazzy sound. I do realize this mostly lies in my technique. I am just looking for the best reed for a quick bebop responsiveness and jazzy tone. What would be (probably) a good fit?

Playing Vandoren ZZs right now, also 2 in strenght.

Thanks!

 

[MikeMorrell]

There are members much more qualified to answer your question than me, @Päng!

But just to kick the thread off:
- you play a good GAIA 2 mpc that has been designed for a "jazz sound" (tip opening 7 (alto) or 7* (tenor))
- your Vandoren ZZ reeds (strength 2) are also designed for a "jazz sound"

On tone:
- having a slightly thicker reed (2 1/2 and perhaps later 3) might well give you a more 'solid' tone

On response:
Thinner reeds (1 1/2 -2) are often more responsive than thicker reeds for beginners. But thinner reeds tend to produce thinner tones. It's worth checking out (on internet) how you can adjust reeds to make them more responsive. Personally, I tend to buy a 1/2 strength stronger than I usually play, break the reed in over a couple of days and then adjust it so that it;s more responsive. Each reed in a box is different.

Bit you're right: 90% of your "sound" is you and not your sax, mpc or reed.

 

[Colin the Bear]

It's like asking which socks go with these shoes? Which shoes will make me a better dancer? Jazz is about phrasing , pitching, playing the right notes, sometimes within a tight set of rules. It's about expressing a melody in a way that touches the listener. It's about straying away from the rules in a surprising way. It's about swing and feel and tonal colours and loud and soft and where you place the gaps and how long for. It's about shedding and shedding and studying and listening. Being disappointed with your tone one minute and overjoyed with a performance the next.

Some of the greats have a poor tone in my opinion and yet blow me away with their artistry. Whatever works works. Try them all. Play the ones you like. Only change if you have a problem. Lots of players blame the reed when a bit of regulation is needed. Me included.

Any suggestions will be as useful as picking them yourself.

 

[jbtsax]

The sound you make comes mostly from your concept. All the equipment, (sax, mp, reeds) does is to help facilitate that process. For me the challenge is always to find a reed that is responsive in the middle and low register and yet resistant enough to produce a nice sound in the upper register. A great reed does all of the above well, but even then it is a compromise.

If you transcribe a few solos of jazz players you want to emulate, you will discover most of the player's sound is not the "tone quality" or even the jazzy notes that are played, but the style and articulation---things you can't go out and purchase. You develop those slowly by listening and playing along with those players' recordings imitating every nuance until your playing becomes one with theirs.

 

[Päng]

Yeah, I think the ZZs are pretty good but I have only played those and the Rico Orange box. Sp thought that I should try something else and see what the community had as preferences. My teachers thinks the Rico Royals are a bit more consistent.

Maybe looking at the Select Jazz reeds.

 

[trimmy]

I think the ZZs are pretty good

looking at the Select Jazz reeds.

I use both these brands, i thought i switched earlier in the year to RJS 2m, but continued using my ZZ’s 2.
So now in my reed holder (4 reeds) are a combination of the two, i play a different reed each day.
So why not combine both reeds yourself and not get tied down to a specific reed.