Saxophone beginners Typical "newbie" stuff..........

[ProfJames]

Synthetic reeds are similar to cane and you can also go "up" or "down" in strength of reed. Synthetic reeds are usually around £20 - £30 each - Legere, Forestone, et al. I prefer them but a lot of the members (better players than me) are not keen.

 

[jimmylh]

Is that true even if we are discussing synthetic reeds?

-Soupy

I'm no expert, but in my experience with fibracell (brand name synthetic) reeds, I have to get higher numbers than with cane. A 3.5 fibracell works good for me but sounds buzzy and harsh. I won't record with them. I sound bad enough as it is.

 

[jafo50]

You just "returned the Sax." Was that because you decided you didn't like playing? Was there a "Rent-to-own" option?

-Soupy

My rental contract was for five months and was not rent to own. So at the end of the contract, which was five months, I could continuing renting at a significant dollar increase or return the sax. I decided to return it and rent from a different source. This all happened in early 2011. A year or so later I decided that the saxophone was for me I then purchased the alto that I still use today. Of course the tenor I own wasn't too far behind. It's sort of contagious.

 

[Jeanette]

I sound bad enough as it is.

Not through my nice Bose speakers you don't 🙂

Jx

 

[jimmylh]

Not through my nice Bose speakers you don't 🙂

Jx

 

[kevgermany]

As you're starting, suggest you avoid synthetics until you find a strength you're comfortable with and can get the full range of the sax. Otherwise it can be very expensive. If you start with 1's, you'll probably want to move up to 1.5's after three or four.

 

[Soupy]

That seems to be the concensus, that I will likely move to at LEAST a #2. Makes me think I should start on a #2 and just tough it out.

-Soupy

 

[Jeanette]

No harm in trying but no shame in dropping a half size if you struggle at first 🙂

Jx

 

[Tenor Viol]

There's a lot of macho nonsense about reed strength - go with what works for you.

 

[Soupy]

There's a lot of macho nonsense about reed strength - go with what works for you.

Thanks, I'll remember to watch out for that!

-Soupy

 

[Soupy]

How about THIS one..........all I'd need to buy is the Reeds.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050JK8S0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Good enough for a beginner????

-Soupy

 

[kevgermany]

Makes me think I should start on a #2 and just tough it out

Why make life hard and unpleasant? A lot will depend on the mouthpiece opening. But it's no fun struggling with a reed that's too hard and hurts after a couple of minutes. You need to think of reeds as consumables.

 

[kevgermany]

How about THIS one..........all I'd need to buy is the Reeds.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050JK8S0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Good enough for a beginner????

-Soupy

Who knows? There's good and bad on ebay. And no after sales support. Try for a recognised brand, or go to a music shop that'll give you good advice about what's available locall, and will have selected decent student saxes for you.

 

[Soupy]

a reed that's too hard and hurts after a couple of minutes.

Reeds "hurt?"

Who knows? There's good and bad on ebay. And no after sales support

My link was not to a product on EBay.

-Soupy

 

[jimmylh]

Reeds "hurt?"



My link was not to a product on EBay.

-Soupy

He just means that a hard reed will need you to blow harder. That can make you tired and dizzy first starting out. That's also why beginner mp's have smaller tip openings. Honestly, when I started I had never touched a wind instrument in my life. A Rico #2 reed was in the case with the rental sax and was my starting point. You may get dizzy at times the first couple of weeks. You can always drop down. I've found that the music stores where I live don't even stock any lower than a #2. After a couple months I found the #2 too soft and moved to a 2.5. I used 2.5's for a good while. A few months ago I started using 3's all the time.

 

[kevgermany]

It's what jimmylh said, and the strain on your lips before the muscles develop. One of the big joys of the sax is controlling the sound through your lips on the reed. But step by step.

 

[Soupy]

Yep..........step by step. Thank goodness there are neat people like you folks, to keep me on the right path!! (seriously!!)

-Soupy