Saxophone beginners All these reeds!

[kevgermany]

New reeds need playing in. Get them well soaked before you start, then play each for a few minutes each day. You don't say what tip opening your mouthpiece is, but Vandoren 2.5 is about medium stiffness.

You could try building up your embouchure, it's the lip muscles that drive the reed. The exercises you need are I'm Larry Teal's The Art of Saxophone. Worth every penny, despite the pink cover.

 

[davidsol]

Thanks Nigeld and Kev for your posts, I'm not sure what the opening is Kev, I do try to play new reeds in and i agree the Vandorens seem to be inconsistent, one can be great right out of the the box and the next one very difficult to break in and then never really easy to play. I'll have a look at the Art of the Saxophone, my problem is I don't have much time to practise unless I get home from work early as I worry about the neighbours in the building. In fact going for a lunchtime practise now !

 

[Jeanette]

If you do want to try scraping, I recommend Dr Downing's "Saxophonists Reed Doctor". It's an easy guide. The only equipment you need to start with is a very flat piece of wood or a plastic kitchen chopping board, a sharp hobby knife and some very fine emery paper. But you should realise that you will probably spoil as many reeds as you improve.

Sandra Downing, is a lovely lady and I suspect Nigel that you know she makes Bassoon reeds too?

Jx

 

[nigeld]

Sandra Downing, is a lovely lady and I suspect Nigel that you know she makes Bassoon reeds too?

I didn't know that she makes bassoon reeds, but it doesn't surprise me. Her little book on bassoon reed adjustment is the one I follow. I mostly either make my own reeds or get them from Steve Marsden.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Each players opinion of reeds is very personal. Identical mouthpieces may have small differences inside and out caused by wear and tear or manufacturing and everyone's chops are in a consistent state of flux, especially in the first few years. The weather has an input on the quality of the raw product, and given the variables in growing, drying, processing and storing, it's not surprising there is variation in the finished product. Here's where I'm at.....today.

I'm a bit of a butterfly with alto reeds. I currently have in the alto case, Vandoren blue 2.5 & 3, Rico Jazz select, Rico Hemke, Rico Royal, Gonzalez RC and Vandoren Juno. I always seem to come back to Vandoren blue. They're always OK and sometimes marvelous.

There's usually variation in a box of reeds. With Vandoren blue, sometimes the 2.5 is a little on the soft side and the 3 is a little on the hard side, but when they're right they suit me fine. I buy in three packs or a half box of 5. If they're not right you don't have too many to sort out.

Looking on a reed comparison chart the Hemke 3 sits in between a Vandoren 2.5 and 3. It's a French cut reed like the Vandoren Blue and they come in a box of 5. They're never marvelous, for me, but they're very consistent and very playable. If I'm having trouble with the Vandoren I stick one on and away we go. No magic, but no problems.

Rico jazz select, also French cut, use a different numbering system. I'm trialing a box of 3H. They're quite consistent and playable but for me, no magic.

Rico Royal, French cut again, use numbers for strength. The difference between numbers is a little closer than Vandoren. The 3 compares with a Vandoren 2.5 but as you go up a 5 is a little softer than a Vandoren 4. Again consistent and playable but no magic so far.

Gonzalez RC. The RC stands for regular cut. I ordered them by mistake. They're a little tough to start off with but they play in quite quick. I like to use these with a trad front line. You can lean on them to play very loud with little distortion and when played in they'll whisper and subtone. Nice full tone at the top of the range of the alto. They're very cheap, taste great and last for ages. I'll try and order the French cut next time Doh!

The Vandoren Juno was introduced to compete with Rico orange. It's about the same.


Reeds are the sax players cross to bear.

 

[Jeanette]

I didn't know that she makes bassoon reeds, but it doesn't surprise me. Her little book on bassoon reed adjustment is the one I follow. I mostly either make my own reeds or get them from Steve Marsden.

Sold by Howarths Bassoon Accessories 🙂

And on her website Bassoon Reeds

Jx

 

[nigeld]

Reeds are the sax players cross to bear.

Rant on.
Reeds can be a problem for all reed instrument players, but saxophone players don't seem to realise how very lucky they are compared to double reed players. A single one of the Dr Downing bassoon reeds that @Jeanette mentioned above will cost £19, and I will probably have to spend an hour or two adjusting it before I can even start playing it in, because they are only sold in one strength.
Rant off.

 

[U CAN CALL ME AL]

As a coincidence I've just seen the price of a Legere bassoon reed £137 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[nigeld]

As a coincidence I've just seen the price of a Legere bassoon reed £137 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For some inexplicable reason, I've never met a bassoon player who uses them.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Me neither. Never met a bassoon player, that I know of.

 

[Eoe]

All the bassoon players I ever met with either learning how to make their own reed or make their own reeds. I got the impression only beginners buy reeds

 

[nigeld]

All the bassoon players I ever met with either learning how to make their own reed or make their own reeds. I got the impression only beginners buy reeds

I think many professional bassoon players make their own reeds, but most amateurs that I know buy them. That's because a professional gets through enough reeds in a year to make it worthwhile and an amateur doesn't. I (amateur) sometimes make my own, but only because I'm a nerd. My first teacher (part-time professional) bought ready-made reeds and carefully adjusted them himself.