How do I pick a reed for the alto saxophone?

Answer 1

It depends on what kind of sound you are looking for. Even the same 3.5 reeds can have different thicknesses from different brands and series.

For classical saxophones, I recommend starting with Vandoren blue box 2.5 or Rico 3.

Answer 2

Great question! The reed that you would prefer depends on what sound you are looking for, the strength of the reed you want in terms of resistance, and what type of file cut you prefer. for beginners i usually recommend the Vandoren blue box reeds at a strength of 2.5 because they are a neutral of a reed as you can possibly get.

If the player is more advanced, then I would have them answers questions such as there preferences for having a bright or dark sound, how hard do they want to push in order for the reed to respond and what type of mouthpiece they have to compliment the reed.

The qualities of the reeds vary and I have had the opportunity to try out a plethora of different brands and file cuts. I can only recommend certain reeds only after I can determine what the player specifically wants. In accordance with the mouthpiece, finding the best reed for your setup will be found answering the questions before-mentioned.

Answer 3

Have you ever gone to buy a shirt and found that the medium in one t shirt is not the same as a medium in another brand of tshirt? That's the same situation with reeds and it can make you incredibly frustrated at times! Reeds are pieces of cane and when they are wet they help you make the most beautiful music on the saxophone. Finding the perfect reed is the quest of every saxophone player I know...even me!

Every brand of reed has its own saxophone number system. One important point to keep in mind is that what works for you is special to you. So, don't worry if you play on a 2 and your friend plays on a 3. The number of your "perfect" reed is determined by the mouthpiece you are playing on and your own special mouth.

When you are starting out, ask your teacher to help you find a reed that works for you. I often find that Rico Reeds work great for beginner and intermediate players in a strength of 2 or 2.5. But, ask your own teacher. We all have our own favorite reeds.

What do I play on? I actually play on a few different brands and I'll write that in a different question soon.