When should I switch to a harder reed?

Recap: when to move up a reed size If it takes too little embouchure effort to make a sound and the tone is edgy and bright, try a harder strength reed. If it takes too much embouchure effort and the tone is fuzzy and dull, try a softer strength reed. Remember that all of this works in combination with your mouthpiece.

How do you know if you need a harder reed?

You feel like have to blow extremely hard to get notes to come out. Your tone sounds airy or dull. You experience embouchure fatigue, with air out of the corners of your mouth and/or pain caused by biting into your lower lip. You have trouble playing in tune (tending sharp) especially in the high register.

How do I know when to change saxophone reed?

If you’re noticing that the tip of your saxophone reed is chipped, it may be time for a replacement. In some cases, chipped tips won’t affect playing, while in other instances chipped reed tips will make the reed completely unplayable. To verify the extent of the damage, observe where the tip is chipped.

Are softer reeds quieter?

All things considered, it’s usually easier for most beginners/intermediate players to learn to play more softly by using softer reeds that vibrate more easily with less air (= less volume) than by using harder reeds.

How long should saxophone reeds last?

Expect a reed to last for around a week to two weeks. When you change from a reed you’ve been using for some time to a new reed, the sound of your instrument will change with it.

What to do if a reed is too hard?

If the reed is too hard or if the sound is too dull, move your ligature down and your reed up slightly. This makes it easier for the reed to vibrate against the mouthpiece. If the reed is too soft or if the sound is too edgy, move the tip of the reed up slightly and then move the ligature down a little bit.

Are thicker reeds better?

The most important factor in selecting a reed is the reed thickness. 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. Thinner reeds vibrate more easily, so they are good for beginners.

How can you tell if a reed is good?

How do you know a good reed? It will play and respond with little effort but still provide enough resistance to push it and get a lot of body in the sound. A bad reed will feel dead and play with a lot of difficulty. Keep in mind right out of the box it may simply be a bit too hard, requiring some break-in time.

Do harder reeds last longer?

A harder reed will keep you more consistently in tune than a softer reed will. However, it can also help your intonation if you are more easily able to bend (that is, if you play on a softer reed).