How do you choose an alto sax reed?

The normal range for reeds is 2 to 5: the lower the number, the thinner the reed, and the higher the number, the thicker the reed. The thickness of the reed will affect the tone and how easy or difficult the instrument is to play. In general, a thinner reed, say 2 or 2.5, will have a brighter tone.

Should you soak saxophone reeds?

You should soak your reeds for about one minute with saliva. This ensures that the reed is moist enough to play well without being so wet that it becomes waterlogged. If the reed is brand new, you may want to soak it more thoroughly with water for about twenty minutes before working with it.

What reed strength should I use?

Most teachers recommend that a first-year musician use a 2 or 2.5 (soft or medium soft) reed. Anything stiffer may make it difficult to produce a sound while anything more flexible may produce a weak sound.

What size reed do I need for alto sax?

Most beginners start by using La Voz or Rico reeds, because they are the cheapest brands. A size 2 reed is a great place to start for a beginner. Play on it for a while before switching to a 2.5, unless it feels entirely too soft, then 2.5 is okay.

Are Rico reeds good?

Rico reeds are consistent and play well right out of the box. They are cheaper than Vandoren, come in a variety of styles for classical or jazz, and work well for marching band. More advanced classical players prefer Vandoren, but D’Addario (Rico) reeds are gaining popularity for their quality.

How do you know if a reed is too soft?

If you’re playing on a 3, then move down to 2.5. When the reed is too soft, you’ll get a buzzy sound right out of the box. People compare this to playing on paper.

Are plastic reeds good?

Plastic reeds are excellent in that they can produce a sound which rivals that of good cane reeds while being more consistent and playing right out of the box. However, even the best plastic reeds will be surpassed by the best cane reeds in both quality of sound and responsiveness.

What are the best saxophone reeds for beginners?

Finding the right reed strength for each saxophone player is a process, and highly individual, but there are some common reed types and strengths that are time-tested and proven to work well for beginners. Most beginners start by using La Voz or Rico reeds, because they are the cheapest brands.

What is the best Reed size for a beginner?

Play on it for a while before switching to a 2.5, unless it feels entirely too soft, then 2.5 is okay. Size 3 is definitely too hard for a beginner though. Once again, it depends on the specific reed, though. A 1.5 may be okay if a 2 feels too hard. On La Voz, MS to M is a good place to start. These are just some basic guidelines of where to start.

How can you tell if a saxophone reed is bad?

Some music stores will not let you pore over reed boxes to find the best reeds, but if they let you, there are a few signs of a bad reed which you should be aware of: Obviously, there’s more to great sax playing than playing a bunch of fast notes.

What is the best thickness of reeds to use?

Players of popular music or jazz often prefer this brighter tone and thus use thinner reeds. Reeds with a thickness of 4 or 5 are harder and thus require more skill to sound, but the tone is fatter, bigger, and warmer.