Reeds Tenor Saxophone reeds

[MrZigaZaga]

Hi...

Sorry if this is in the wrong area or has been discussed a million and one times... I did have a look back to see but couldn't see anything.
So here we go...

I recently purchased a "Fibracell" strength 2.5 reed for my Tenor sax and i must say i was at first a little apprehensive as regards to:

1. Using anything other than the conventional reeds which are now getting more and more ££££ and have less and less in them..And...
2. Paying £14 for one reed.....

However i must confess that after a few hours of playing it has for me unlocked new potential that i have been struggling with for years TBH...

Although i have played on and off for some 30 years i was never professionally taught or have had any musical training...I still can't read music ***!!!

Anyhow i have been trying to re-learn a lot of aspects of the sax..My phrasings were almost non-existent, My intonation was really weak and my tension and release didn't even exist so trying to re-learn the altissimo was becoming very frustrating and almost convincing me to quit....This reed has changed all that, My embouchure has come to life and there is tension and release, My phrasings are developing as i play...It really is amazing...

I don't know what reaction if any they have had on you but i was always sceptical about "Plastic" anything ...Although i now own a plastic car and i love it...

So far my impression of it is ...Well amazing really...It has definitely advanced my playing.

At first....

At first it did feel a little weird as you naturally want to wet it...No need...Then it sounded a bit too soft and over warm but i was use to playing a strength 3 so i eased off of the power a bit and it started to come in to its own..The response is bang on and feels very reliable..This is when the tension and release started happening...Wow...

I could blow a high G..(Natural b + High F sharp key...I think thats a G...Im still learning...Sorry) ...with ease and as quickly as i could blow a low b softly.

The tuning seemed a bit flat on the low register and sharp on the high but i managed to find the sweet spot and the magic started to flow...I must confess that it did bring a bit of a tear to ones eye as i have always dreamt of being able to play like a pro...Even if it was just for one day...It has certainly got me connected in some way now...

Also the total effort needed for playing now is easily 40% less which means i can relax while playing more and let it flow better..

After 5 hours of heavy playing i undid the ligature..Removed the reed and it wasn't even wet...Well a little bit of my slobber on it but hey...When i looked at it an hour later..(Obviously i cleaned it) it had not warped a bit.

It has definitely made me now want to play every minute of every day...Happy days....


Have you tried them with any kind of difference?...I know its not everyones cuppa but it taste okay to me...Cheers...Ziga

 

[ProfJames]

Try the Legere........excellent

 

[trimmy]

Try the Legere........excellent

GAS man has spoken !!!

 

[trimmy]

Funnily enough i spent yesterday afternoon trying various reeds with my MeyerJ6 metal on my R&C alto, and the one that impressed me was 'Plasticover 2 1/2' it seemed easier to get the higher register.
I'm liking it

 

[ProfJames]

If you get a chance try Forestone synthetic as well. Expensive but very responsive

 

[MrZigaZaga]

Thanks for the info..I have been playing from the time i posted until now, My lip is a bit sore but i put that down to scoffing a sandwich quicker than i could look at it..Consistency seems to be the order of the day with it and its stayed in tune the whole time...However I'm getting the odd tiny splinter of plastic on my tongue..Nothing major but hopefully it will just be a breaking in period...

 

[ProfJames]

Having tried them all - at various strengths as well - I have settled on Legere purely because Forestone reeds are difficult to source locally. Never had plastic splinters though. That doesn't sound good.

 

[MrZigaZaga]

Mind you when i say splinters its the wrong analogy..More like "Bits"...Like smoking a roll-up...He he he..No actually its not that bad.

I will at some point look into the ones you have recommended...Thanks...Ziga

 

[ProfJames]

Mind you when i say splinters its the wrong analogy..More like "Bits"...Like smoking a roll-up...He he he..No actually its not that bad.

I will at some point look into the ones you have recommended...Thanks...Ziga

Are you smoking now MrZigaZaga???? !!!

 

[MrZigaZaga]

Me......."Cough cough"..

 

[Royston]

Funnily enough i spent yesterday afternoon trying various reeds with my MeyerJ6 metal on my R&C alto, and the one that impressed me was 'Plasticover 2 1/2' it seemed easier to get the higher register.
I'm liking it

Hi Trimmy
Where are you trying the reeds
Local to Liverpool?
Roy

 

[trimmy]

Hi Trimmy
Where are you trying the reeds
Local to Liverpool?
Roy

Yeh in my conservatory
They are reeds I've acquired over the last few years, i just fancied trying them with a couple of mpcs i have.

 

[Royston]

Yeh in my conservatory
They are reeds I've acquired over the last few years, i just fancied trying them with a couple of mpcs i have.

Bummer
Thought you'd found stockists locally.
Fancied trying Legere Signature aswell
Thanks anyway
Roy

 

[Colin the Bear]

Amazon sell three packs of all sorts and there's lots of reeds on ebay. Anything with a bird in the name might be better to leave alone.

Flying crane, flying goose etc etc

 

[Targa]

Bummer
Thought you'd found stockists locally.
Fancied trying Legere Signature aswell
Thanks anyway
Roy

Curly sell single reeds.

 

[Royston]

Curly sell single reeds.

Thanks Targa
You're right, they do sell single reeds but last time I asked they didn't sell synthetic, only actual cane. I get my Rico cane reeds from them.
Regards
Roy

 

[Colin the Bear]

SINGLE Legere Reeds Bb Tenor Saxophone Signature Synthetic Reed - 3 (TSG 3)

 

[Royston]

SINGLE Legere Reeds Bb Tenor Saxophone Signature Synthetic Reed - 3 (TSG 3)

Thanks Colin
Trimmy's got a couple he's gonna let me try first

 

[Colin the Bear]

Used reeds yuk! Same as second lick of a ice cream cornet.

No offence @trimmy.

Cane reeds don't like changing mouthpiece. Never tried a synthetic, so no idea if they will change.

 

[Royston]

Used reeds yuk! Same as second lick of a ice cream cornet.

No offence @trimmy.

Cane reeds don't like changing mouthpiece. Never tried a synthetic, so no idea if they will change.

No wonder you have trouble playing a cornet Colin.
You're supposed to blow it, not lick it.

You can thoroughly cleanse a synthetic reed so shouldn't be an issue.