Reeds Reed is hard to blow

[Mikec]

Cheers Mike for your advice. I did wonder if the 2.5 had been softened up whereas the new one hadn't. Yep, I'm attempting to make noises at the moment which is why I'm just blowing for a few days into the mouthpiece so that my muscles get used to the idea and then hopefully next week the whole sax. I did manage to get a sound out of the whole sax last week.

Mouthpiece only practice is a very good idea, but not much fun.

Ta for your advice and btw, nice website and photos. Liked your music too (especially the second track).

Well, thank you!

 

[Simo]

What do the numbers mean? I take it 1.5 for easy and 3 for expert...

 

[unlinkedstudent]

I believe (could be wrong) it is to do with the thickness of the reeds.

 

[Mikec]

What do the numbers mean? I take it 1.5 for easy and 3 for expert...

The numbers refer to the relative softness (i.e. bendiness) of the reeds. It has nothing to do with expertise; many long-time pros use soft reeds, many beginners use quite a hard one. It's just a question of finding the brand and hardness that suits you at the moment. If you like a soft one and you don't "stop" it (i.e. press it against the mouthpiece so it stops vibrating) then use it. It's generally said that softer reeds make the low notes easier to play. On the other hand John Coltrane apparently used a number 5 reed to get those screaming high notes. He must have had lungs like a T Rex.