How to Choose the Right Saxophone Reed

what about plastic reeds?

LaVoz had the best reeds in the 80s but since they got bought out they have not been the same.

what is the lightest reed?

In my area there is literally 1type of reed. Welcome to sri lanka

I play a select jazz 7m mouthpiece with Java Green 2.5. How's that?

I have my great grandfather’s alto, which he played in the late 19-teens thru the 1920’s, in the Trenton area. He actually made a living. It’s a Buscher, I guess before it became Selmer. Is something like that worth fixing up? I’m willing to spend 1000$ or more, because of the sentimental value. Thanks for any opinion. Jim

I have a tenor for school but my neighbor just gave me a alto. Are the reeds interchangeable.

How is he not at 1 mil? Let’s get him there!

Ive been using a 2.0 reed and my sound seems airy. Also when I tongue it doesn’t sound right could be just how I’m playing I’m thinking about trying a 2.5

Hi Jay, I have a little conflict with my reeds and I'd like to hear your thoughs: If I'm playing a reed that's a bit too resistance for me (I get tired quickly, and the sound is somewhat unfocussed), should I immediately switch for a softer one, or should I try the harder reed for a couple of months, and then decide?
Thanks a lot!!

I no longer use ‘soft’ or ‘hard’ when referring to the thickness of reeds. I encourage young students to move towards a larger mpc tip opening (facing) as they progress. When doing so, I’ve recommended temporarily moving to a "softer reed" and confused too many of them. They would go online and have their parents order ‘S’ reeds (i.e. softer cane). Not my intent. Communication seems clearer when stating ‘thicker’ or ‘thinner’. (I use ‘gauge’ with older kids). We use ‘S’, regular, and ‘H’ reeds for different tonal characteristics and address ‘gauge’ separately. It seems to help my kids more accurately articulate reed playing characteristics like brightness, resistance, etc.

I’ve been playing on the Vandoren that came as a sample with my horn. 🤷‍♀️

Which is better these reeds or the Boston shop custom reeds?

Just picked up a Venn 3 and 3.5. Initial impressions of the 3 after an hour of play are really positive compared to other synthetics. For reference, i've tried the Hinoki 3, and it collapsed in the first hour. I've had legere signatures last for months and months, but they sound like plastic to me, and they don't have even response for me. It would be interesting to see what you think of the Venn.

I just bought a sax and a get the Yamaha 4c mouthpiece. What came do you recommend to me for starting ? I want to play in church the saxophone

Hi sir just a question about reeds, is there a reed that can be easily played i mean i dont need to blow my saxophone heavily.

I only play on Vandoren. I played on 3 all throughout middle school and high school playing bari and tenor, but for my alto I prefer 2.5

Try mouthpiece, choose reeds .same as planting a tree ' .saxo , are music 's .singing long times. Will tired

Good reed .all are the same name .brands .jazz .amazing.

Play your bari

So true, when I was first starting to play (1973?), it was all Rico at the local music store. We started with a 1.5 and just ended up getting harder from there. I think I ended up playing a #6 on my clarinet. There were a few other brands but nothing in stock compared to today. Our instructors never really knew what to advise Reed players. I’ve learned more in the past 5 years than I ever knew existed. I don’t know how we survived on those out-of-the-box ricos

correct answer, bss. youre welcome :D

It wasn't until half the video until I realised that the reeds are not called "evil reeds" :D

Rico 2.5

I have always gotten excellent consistency with Vandoren reeds.

Vandoren 2 1/2 blue box reeds. Planning to play vandoren 3 java green box

I use the Rico legure (sp?) American cut 2.75 with an old myer 7. One will last for months and I never have to mess around with reeds. It's the best thing that ever happened to me!

I use RICO brand size 2.5 reeds

Jay, thanks for all you do man! I've been "stuck" using Plasticover reeds with my alto for over 20 years now. Only reeds I've found that work consistently for me as I'm a doubler switching between flutes/trumpet/vocals/congas (jack of all trades, master of none of course), and I just can't keep a cane reed wet enough on a gig, and don't like synthetics. I've discovered a nice vintage-style mouthpiece lately that seems to give a nice mellow tone with these Plasticovers and I wonder if you have any suggestions regarding them? thanks!

Reeds here in the Philippines are pretty expensive, so we dont have much choice to try different reeds. But very informative channel!!

Hey Jay! I have a question. For a bit of context: I play in my high school band and I play tenor for jazz, but I used a Selmer C* and traditional vandoren reeds. Now, I have a Jodyjazz Jet 7* and used the same reeds but the sound is fuzzy, airy, and I can't play below an F. I'm planning on trying JAVA 3 reeds but if those don't work I don't know what will. Any suggestions on reed selection? Thank you.

Good insight on the proverbial
reed/mouthpiece tug o' war, give-&-take compromise.

I'm not sure if it's because I'm a clarinet player by trade or if I'm rather inexperienced at saxophone by comparison, but I have to play on a reed strength quite a bit softer than what the manufacturer recommends in order for the low notes on my alto to speak properly, such as a vandoren blue box strength 1.5 or rico strength 2 on a vandoren AL3 mouthpiece (they recommend strength 2.5 - 3.5), anything harder and the notes are airy and the low end doesn't speak at all.

Hey Jay, I bought the Eastar sax based on your blind test 3 years ago. I'm a beginner playing for a weeks and I want to get a better mouthpiece and reed setup. I want to buy your Burnin' 5 mouthpiece for an edgier sound. Is a 2.0 reed appropriate for me? Was looking at the D'Addario Select Jazz soft reeds, but really have no idea. I've been playing on the stock setup from that Eastar.

I dont need to emulate what the so called greats setup is. I do what works best for me. Vandoren V16 mouthpiece with Vandoren zz 1.5 works for me.

I hv to problem to play with 2.5 Reed of reeko

All reeds are the same: evil 😂

The best contents.

What is the most cost efficient way to experiment? I’m a beginner and have no idea where to start, my eastar with 2.5 is tough to play

My vandoren bari sax reeds weren't cut all the way having some unfiled cut still on it enough to make it unplayable

You're feeling in the gaps of the knowledge that I lack And making such an impact as I learn to play the alto sax.

I’m playing tenor sax as a medium amateur. So far my favourite Reed is adario jazz filed 3M it is maybe slightly soft for me. A standard vandoren 2.5 is slightly hard. What would you recommend in your brand, and in synthetic???

Re the same reed-different mouthpieces, may I humbly suggest that if you play real fast we don't have time to hear what the notes sound like.

I am new to saxophones. Almost 2 weeks. I hae tried a few reeds and so far the best for me is the Legere 1.75 American Cut.

I can't stop admiring your mouthpieces behind you😁😁

New to Nexus reeds and not sure I’ll ever change again

Hemkes were popular for a while - so were Marcas

The only strength of Rico orange box that is even WORTH playing is #4. Anything below that is flimsy paper.

No duds. Unbelievable!