Accessories Reeds & Mouthpieces.

[Nikki]

I’ve only had two different types of saxophones; an alto and a soprano and the only type of reeds I’ve ever used have been either Rico’s or Rico Royals. I think it’s probably because my music teacher recommended them so that’s what I’ve stuck with. I usually use a 2 1/2 to 3 strength.

While I’ve got 4 mouthpieces for my alto, I only have 2 mouthpieces for my soprano.
Ones a S80D and the others a Warburton 55.

Until I came to this site I didn’t know synthetic reeds even existed. Anyway I’d like to try different types of reeds to see what I prefer.

Later I’d like to get a fun new mouthpiece and I’ve been reading various information about mouthpiece tips, baffles and reed strengths which I know next to nothing about.

Could you share why you chose the mouthpiece you use along with the reed to go with it.

Note: I did a search for this information and found some information for each subject in separate threads so thought it would be helpful if there was a thread for both together since that’s how they work.

 

[saxyjt]

If you're considering synthetic reeds, try them on alto not soprano. Légère signature have been my preferred ones so far. But beware of the strength. They are roughly .5 to .75 harder than Vandoren blue on alto in my experience. So I would probably start on a 2.0 or 2.25 based on what you say. Légère are offered in .25 increments. 😉

 

[saxyjt]

Oh, are you looking for an alto or soprano mouthpiece?

 

[Nikki]

Unfortunately I don’t play my alto right now. I can’t get C# and it’s in need of an overhaul which is why I purchased the soprano.

I read that Vandoren reeds our good quality so I think I’ll try them first.

Greg Strange wrote something a while back saying that the wider the tip a mouthpiece has, the stronger the reed needed.

It’s not information I’m looking for right now. It’s information I’d like to know when purchasing a new mouthpiece which isn’t going to be for quite a while. It’s more of a passing interest as well as something to discuss. Clive seemed to know a bit about this also.

I’ll look up synthetic reeds. I suppose the best thing to do is try one and find out myself.

It just dawned on me the other day that I haven’t tried playing any other type of reed but the type I’ve been used to.

I’m also starting to notice that hanging out in a saxophone forum is a huge influence to purchase more stuff and try new things which had good points and not so good points. Lol

 

[Nikki]

Oh, are you looking for an alto or soprano mouthpiece?

Soprano !

 

[Nikki]

I’m going to blame this site for giving me GAS!

 

[6441]

I use Plasticover reeds on my soprano and they work great with the Syos mouthpiece.

 

[sax panther]

If your wanting to know about mouthpiece design, and terms like baffles, rails etc, Theo wannes website has some good info to start off with.

Mouthpiece Museum - Theo Wanne

A HISTORICAL STUDY OF THE MAJOR MOUTHPIECE BRANDS This is just the beginning. More brands will be added as we have time to add them. Feel free to share your pictures or information for us to update the museum with. Enjoy!

theowanne.com

 

[Wade Cornell]

I think you've got that backwards. The wider the tip the softer the reed you need. E.g. if you play something like a S80 D now with a 2.5 reed, you would need to go down to a 2.0 if playing a S80 F.

Mouthpiece choice is a very personal thing as some play mellow, while others scream. A "fun new mouthpiece" isn't much of a description of sound quality. Many of us have different mouthpieces for different style/sounds we play. E.g. classical sound requires a specific style and sound, while blues is another, and the Kenny G sound is yet another.

People here are happy to help, but you're not giving us much information. I could say to you my best mouthpiece for soprano is a Lamberson F Major 7. So you find one and pay $700 for it, then find that it's too loud and difficult to play. Likewise my best synthetic reed is a Fiberreed, so you pay $50 for that and find that you can't play it.

Many of these things are found by taking small steps. That often means trying different mouthpieces and reeds that aren't expensive, but give you an experience from which you can make your own judgements about what sound you want and what's comfortable for you. If there is a music store near you that has mouthpieces and reeds you can try some of their wares. Otherwise there's Ebay and Craglist. A cheap semi synthetic reed is the "Bari plasticover".

Read more about mouthpieces and reeds, experiment, and then you are more likely to find what suits you.

 

[saxyjt]

I use Plasticover reeds on my soprano and they work great with the Syos mouthpiece.

I haven't tried them yet... They are not exactly what I'd qualify as synthetic reeds as they are just 'coated cane reeds' but I'm always curious. I just need to keep a low profile when it comes to GAS. My wife is on a mission to save money since we have to pay for my son's education now! 😱

How would you compare them with cane reeds you may have used? D'addario says they are favored by rock & pop performers so that tells me they are on the bright side.

 

[Nikki]

I use Plasticover reeds on my soprano and they work great with the Syos mouthpiece.

Are these actually plastic reeds?
How long do they last?
Do they split easily?
Do you still sterilize them the same as regular reeds.
What about temperature?
Does temperature affect them?

 

[Jazzaferri]

if you want a Sop mpce go to Joe Giardullo whose site is SopranoPlanet.

I may still have one of Joes modified mpce. If you are interested PM me

 

[Nikki]

If your wanting to know about mouthpiece design, and terms like baffles, rails etc, Theo wannes website has some good info to start off with.

Mouthpiece Museum - Theo Wanne

A HISTORICAL STUDY OF THE MAJOR MOUTHPIECE BRANDS This is just the beginning. More brands will be added as we have time to add them. Feel free to share your pictures or information for us to update the museum with. Enjoy!

theowanne.com

Yes thank you. You are right. That’s a great site. I forgot about that. I’ve only just discovered it recently.
Thanks.

 

[Nikki]

I think you've got that backwards. The wider the tip the softer the reed you need. E.g. if you play something like a S80 D now with a 2.5 reed, you would need to go down to a 2.0 if playing a S80 F.

Mouthpiece choice is a very personal thing as some play mellow, while others scream. A "fun new mouthpiece" isn't much of a description of sound quality. Many of us have different mouthpieces for different style/sounds we play. E.g. classical sound requires a specific style and sound, while blues is another, and the Kenny G sound is yet another.

People here are happy to help, but you're not giving us much information. I could say to you my best mouthpiece for soprano is a Lamberson F Major 7. So you find one and pay $700 for it, then find that it's too loud and difficult to play. Likewise my best synthetic reed is a Fiberreed, so you pay $50 for that and find that you can't play it.

Many of these things are found by taking small steps. That often means trying different mouthpieces and reeds that aren't expensive, but give you an experience from which you can make your own judgements about what sound you want and what's comfortable for you. If there is a music store near you that has mouthpieces and reeds you can try some of their wares. Otherwise there's Ebay and Craglist. A cheap semi synthetic reed is the "Bari plasticover".

Read more about mouthpieces and reeds, experiment, and then you are more likely to find what suits you.

Yes! You are right. I’m not giving much info about what I’m looking for before I don’t yet know. I actually started this thread to only discuss reeds but then I wanted to learn about what strength reeds to use for what mouthpieces since I don’t know about this. You’d think I would by now but I don’t. Maybe I should stick with just learning about different reeds before I move into different mouthpieces.

Actually I said that very thing that mouthpieces were as personalized as the instrument we choose so YES I should learn this on my own through my own research which is what I usually do.

Thanks . I should take my own advice.

 

[Nikki]

if you want a Sop mpce go to Joe Giardullo whose site is SopranoPlanet.

I may still have one of Joes modified mpce. If you are interested PM me

There’s a site just for sopranos? Oh joy! Oh bliss!

I will check it out thanks.
Thanks for the information

 

[Nikki]

I use Plasticover reeds on my soprano and they work great with the Syos mouthpiece.

This is going to sound really crazy and somewhat vain but ever since I’ve seen these coloured mouthpieces I’ve really fancied a pink mouthpiece and having a pink reed to match along with a pink neck strap ( probably make myself ) would look so chic and cool. I’m only playing for a bunch of old folks but I still want to look good. Yeah that really does sound vain
and crazy and to be brutally truthful, I wouldn’t expect something that looked so cute and somewhat juvenile to play especially well. I also seriously want to know if these synthetic reeds work as well as organic ones but I’m not going to hold anyone responsible if I don’t happen to like it. Of course these items are personal preferences but I just want to know if they play as well as they look.

These probably don’t match and probably not for soprano but you get the general idea. It’s so feminine looking which of course I like.

 

[Nikki]

I mean, how FUN is THAT^^^^^^

 

[CliveMA]

I’ve really fancied a pink mouthpiece and having a pink reed to match along with a pink neck strap ( probably make myself ) would look so chic and cool.

I think all that pink is an awesome idea. You might consider a pink sax,too!

 

[Nikki]

I think all that pink is an awesome idea. You might consider a pink sax,too!

Do they exist? Actually ultimately I’d only be willing to upgrade to a Yamaha like you have. I already have jealousy issues.

 

[Wade Cornell]

Depends on how deaf the "old folks" are. I've tried more than 10 different synthetic reeds (lost count). Some of these were prototypes sent for me to advise about. I've only played four that I consider decent/playable that were able to give me the kind of tone I use. I don't know what you sound like or want to sound like...Canadian honker?

I'm loathe to make a list as other players definitely have preferences that don't match mine. Again, it's a personal thing depending on your embouchure and tone preferences. In this game there isn't a one size fits all.