Reeds Dilemma with Reed Sizes

[freddysilk]

I was recently advised by my teacher to step up to a number 3 reed since my embouchure developed to the point to where a 2 1/2 reed closed up whenever I play in the high register. The number 3 reed worked perfectly but when I tried a 3 1/2, the tone was even more mellow. The only problem I have with a 3 1/2 is I find myself biting a little to get the low register to speak.

Should I continue working with the 3 1/2 or take the suggestion of my teacher and work with the 3 reed.

 

[saxplayer67]

The indication is that a 3 1/2 is too hard for you - go with the three. I myself play a 2 1/2 in Vandoren Java and ZZ and I've been playing twelve years. It's what works for you, at the end of the day.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I find a 2 1/2 is the best strength. IMO it's not a case of your embouchure becoming more deveolped and needing harder reeds - I have an extremely developed embouchure but prefer softer reeds. If they are closing up it may not be because you need a harder reed. It may be because you need to develop more control of embouchure combined with air support from your diaphragm to control the softer reed.

I'm not saying your teacher is wrong. There is room for more than one opinion on this - I don't mean to confuse you - just be aware that there is more to it than working up to harder and harder reeds.

If you are comfortable with a 3 then stay with it. If you find you need a harder reed just to get mellow as you say, then I do think that is wrong - the control of tone should come from you and not have to rely on harder reeds to get a tone (and have ther aspects suffer).

 

[philthd]

i think a reed step up is the quickest and easiest solution to closing up but not necessarily the best long term. in which case i would say your teacher is right as long as they are also explaining what else you need to be working on - i would guess not biting, a developed embouchure is about a firm seal, not a firm grip

 

[Basil]

So when is the time to move up ? My teacher suggested that I move from Vandoren 2.00 to 2.5, but he only had Ricco so I bought 2, and really have to work hard to get a decent note or consistent tone out of them, so much so that I went back to the Vandoren.I thought that ricco were less strong than Vandoren anyway. My lower register tone is quite mellow, but I sound like a clarinet in the upper register, and I want a mellow tone across the whole range. :S

 

[justin_chune]

Basil. There is no set time to change up. I play away happily enough on Rico Royal No.2 reeds and have no intention of ever changing up. Regular Vandoren reeds are considered to be half a strength harder than Rico for a given number. The reed you bought is the equivalent of a Vandoren 1 1/2. Try a Rico Royal no3 or the Vandoren 2 1/2 as your teacher suggested.

Regarding the difference in the quality of the sound between the registers. That's just how it is. It has been observed that the lower registers of different saxes have more in common with each other than the upper and lower registers on the same instrument. Your upper register will sweeten up with practice.

 

[freddysilk]

Me and my teacher have found the problem. The 2 1/2 reeds I were using were no good. He saw I was struggling to get the low notes with a number 3 and had me try a Vandoren ZZ 2 1/2 reed instead. After using the 2 1/2, I got control of the low notes and the high notes can out with no problem.

He even showed me a few altissimo fingerings that I tried and was surprised that a few of the notes popped out with a 2 1/2. I think I'll take everyone's advise and stay with the 2 1/2 reeds. Vandoren ZZ of course and make sure the reed isn't bad.

Thanks to everyone here for the advice.
🙂