Reeds What CANE reeds are your favourite?

[Alex]

I've been doing this since the beginning of my studies, 40 years ago. First, I put the cane at the level of the end of the mouthpiece. As the cane wore out, it became weaker. By moving it forward, I achieved a more dense sound. Then I got used to it and even started installing a new cane from a pack in this way.

 

[LostCircuits]

I think it is a bit on the far end but if you are used to it and it works for you...

You may also check this video by Dave Pollack

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBeRL92wK0Y&t=1s

 

[Alex]

It's funny, but I do the same thing as Mr. Pollack - I set the reed above the tip.

 

[LostCircuits]

Yes, so do I but not by a millimeter.

 

[Alex]

Yes, so do I but not by a millimeter.

Actually, I vary. There is no identical accuracy. It's different every time. Depending on the quality of the cane. Thank you for the useful and instructive video!

 

[Woodpad]

How long do reeds last for you all? Sometimes I feel like I play on mine for too long. I have probably 40+ hours on some of them.

One month on average, but with thin reeds. It varies from person to person. My own theory is that it depends on style of playing and on how fast lignin (the substance that keeps wood from splintering) dissolves from the reed.

 

[mrblackbat]

It's funny, but I do the same thing as Mr. Pollack - I set the reed above the tip.

I find it's better that way than shorter. So either dead on, or ever so slightly beyond the tip. From my perspective it gives a little more response.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I pressed the cane firmly against the tip of the mouthpiece. Here is the result.

I would suggest you set it back so it lines up with the tip of the mouthpiece. But it looks as if there is some damage at the tip of the reed, possibly not enough to be an issue unless there is a split.

 

[David Roach]

I often set my reeds up a little higher on the tip than other players I know: that gives me some extra resonance and depth, and a reduction of upper partials which I like. It's also useful strategy with a reed that is a tad too soft.

Being a quiet time of year, I've been having a reed-binge!
I have on my desk - D'Addario Select Jazz filed and unfiled, La Voz, Rico, (Rico) Royal, Rigotti Gold, Rigotti Wild, Boston Sax Shop Black & Silver, Robertos, Java Green and Red, ZZ and V16.
The only real comments I have to make are that for me:
Vandorens as a whole are not doing it; ZZs and V16s (which work fine on a Vandoren V16 mouthpiece) do not really suit my current favourite mouthpiece at all, a Gerber Octa Supreme.
Royals are a surprisingly good re-discovery if you like a bit of grit.
Boston Sax Shop play well, but I am not sold on their tone (for me).
But most surprisingly amongst all these reeds I have only found a couple that immediately flew to the bin!
All blow very well otherwise, Oh that this would last....

 

[skeller047]

All that does is make the reed feel harder. It also moves the heart toward the tip of the mouthpiece.

That said, the photo shows tiny chips on the tip of the reed. Which is why most people have the tip even with the top of the mouthpiece. Or a hair’s width below.

That 1 mm of reed is not participating in making any sound. My suggestions - go up to the next strength reed. Or, get a reed clipper and clip the tip. And then keep the reed tip even with or slightly below the mouthpiece tip.

 

[Alex]

keep the reed tip even with or slightly below the mouthpiece tip.

I'll try, but I think that after many years of playing, it will be difficult for me to adjust to the new setting of the reed and get used to it.

 

[turf3]

I've been doing this since the beginning of my studies, 40 years ago. First, I put the cane at the level of the end of the mouthpiece. As the cane wore out, it became weaker. By moving it forward, I achieved a more dense sound. Then I got used to it and even started installing a new cane from a pack in this way.

You can just clip the reed, you know. Or buy stiffer ones.

 

[turf3]

As to which brand, my preference is blue-box Vandoren on everything. However, when a friend of mine gave me something like 25 boxes of La Voz baritone reeds, I used up my remaining Vandorens and moved over to the La Voz and I've still got more than a dozen boxes left. (I play reeds for a very long time, and I clip them when they start feeling tired.)

To me the Vandorens with their thick heart and thin tip give a slightly more lively sound and the cane's pretty good, better than most of the Rico products. I have also seen very few miscut reeds from Vandoren whereas the Rico products used to have a lot of these. And every music store that carries any kind of reeds will have the blue box Vandorens in stock.

Frankly I think with reeds as with much else on saxophone, it's as much about adapting yourself to the hardware as it is about any inherent characteristic of the hardware (despite my statement just above about the Vandoren cut and its characteristics). Having played the same make model and strength of reeds for many years now, I feel like I'm completely adapted to them. There's a lot of the Hawthorne effect - novelty making things seem better - in equipment-chasing.

 

[Alex]

But it looks as if there is some damage at the tip of the reed

If you look at the tip of the reed under high zoom, it is possible that many players can see such potholes on their reed.

 

[LostCircuits]

If you look at the tip reeds under high zoom - each player can see such cracks on his reed.

Sorry, that's not true, at least not to the degree that you show. In fact, that was one of the first things that jumped to my attention, if I have a reed that looks like that, it's time to retire, maybe some small chips at the very edge are acceptable but even those greatly affect the playability and tone.

 

[PigSquealer]

Ok, with the tip of the reed past the mouthpiece I’ve always had the feeling of slicing my lip or tongue open. Am I just being paranoid ?

 

[Woodpad]

Ok, with the tip of the reed past the mouthpiece I’ve always had the feeling of slicing my lip or tongue open. Am I just being paranoid ?

There are so much sensoric cells in this area that the brain overreacts on small changes. As long as there is no blood its ok. The position changes affect tone, volume and how hard the reed seems to be. But they are all small changes, so it is in the area of personal preference.

 

[dexdex]

Cane ? None.
Oh sorry, yes. For my cheapo nino: Vandoren blue. There isn’t that much choice for the tiny horn.

 

[Targa]

Ok, with the tip of the reed past the mouthpiece I’ve always had the feeling of slicing my lip or tongue open. Am I just being paranoid ?

Yeth

 

[mizmar]

Ok, with the tip of the reed past the mouthpiece I’ve always had the feeling of slicing my lip or tongue open. Am I just being paranoid ?

By strange coincidence, our favorite recorder playing YouTuber's husband claims to have cut his nose on a saxophone reed, in a new video

(Content Warning: this video includes an example of the weird taste in glasses, the Dutch have. There's a reason this hasn't caught on anywhere else).

View: https://youtu.be/Q0QfBsJuKJU?t=8m40s