Woland
Member
- Messages
- 101
- Locality
- Austin, TX
I just (Dec'16) started playing again (after 30+yrs break). So like many beginners I am frustrated with palm keys, overblowing harmonics etc. My horn is 70yo Amati tenor - in good shape although - recently re-padded and serviced.
I am looking now for easy beginner setup - mpc and reeds. The original mps that I had was B&C 230 but I had to replace it - I was getting allergic reaction to it - I guess 50+ yo plastic started deteriorating. I grabbed standard beginner's mpc- Yamaha 4C and tried several reeds.
First one were Rico 1.5 - bought a box of 25 few years ago when I thought I would start playing again. Rico 1.5 are easy to produce first few notes, require little air (on 4C) but low notes seemed overly buzzy. It is nice if you want to practice quietly but it requires control to shapenotes nicely.
Then I tried Vandorens - 2.5 and 2s. First ones seem out of my reach now. 2s were better but I kept running out of breath much faster than with Ricos. I will go back to them in couple of months.
Then I found Rico (d'Addario) Jazz Select. I am very happy with them - nice even tone - no weird frequencies creeping in. First I got 2M (Medium) and it was a bit too "breathy" so I grabbed 2S (Soft) and they are the best natural reeds so far - for my particular level of skills and mpc.
Today I received Leger Classic Studio Cut - synthetic reed - white composite. I looked up the strength table on their website and it seemed that 1.5 Legere was comparable with 2S Rico Jazz Select so that was the strength I bought. I did not have a lot of time to spend with it but I have to say that so far it is much much easier read to play than any cane reed I tried.You hit palm key notes and they just happen. Lows are good too although perhaps with less "oomph". Overall tone is brighter - which is not bad - my horn is definitely of a "vintage warm" type so I was actually thinking how it would eventually sound on stage - not cutting through the mix. It takes less air to play and notes sound more even than with cane reeds I tried. Vibrato is very easy. I almost feel like I am cheating ;-)
I think I will go back and forth between Legere and Rico Jazz select. Next week I will get another mpc - Fobes Debut - we'll see how different reeds work on it. My teacher also offered some of his mpcs to try.
I am looking now for easy beginner setup - mpc and reeds. The original mps that I had was B&C 230 but I had to replace it - I was getting allergic reaction to it - I guess 50+ yo plastic started deteriorating. I grabbed standard beginner's mpc- Yamaha 4C and tried several reeds.
First one were Rico 1.5 - bought a box of 25 few years ago when I thought I would start playing again. Rico 1.5 are easy to produce first few notes, require little air (on 4C) but low notes seemed overly buzzy. It is nice if you want to practice quietly but it requires control to shapenotes nicely.
Then I tried Vandorens - 2.5 and 2s. First ones seem out of my reach now. 2s were better but I kept running out of breath much faster than with Ricos. I will go back to them in couple of months.
Then I found Rico (d'Addario) Jazz Select. I am very happy with them - nice even tone - no weird frequencies creeping in. First I got 2M (Medium) and it was a bit too "breathy" so I grabbed 2S (Soft) and they are the best natural reeds so far - for my particular level of skills and mpc.
Today I received Leger Classic Studio Cut - synthetic reed - white composite. I looked up the strength table on their website and it seemed that 1.5 Legere was comparable with 2S Rico Jazz Select so that was the strength I bought. I did not have a lot of time to spend with it but I have to say that so far it is much much easier read to play than any cane reed I tried.You hit palm key notes and they just happen. Lows are good too although perhaps with less "oomph". Overall tone is brighter - which is not bad - my horn is definitely of a "vintage warm" type so I was actually thinking how it would eventually sound on stage - not cutting through the mix. It takes less air to play and notes sound more even than with cane reeds I tried. Vibrato is very easy. I almost feel like I am cheating ;-)
I think I will go back and forth between Legere and Rico Jazz select. Next week I will get another mpc - Fobes Debut - we'll see how different reeds work on it. My teacher also offered some of his mpcs to try.