Reed trouble

[studsoccer06]

I don't quite understand the differences between the sizes of reeds. I've been playing on Rico Royal 2 for awhile untill my band director said we should all be playing on threes or higher. I bought Vandoren size 3 reeds and sense the my sounds has turned bad and i always have a spitty sound. Can anyone help me solve my problem

[Sigmund451]

One size does not fit all, neither does the make of reed. Depending on your mouthpiece opening and your level of experience a 3 may be too hard. This is especially so if its a Vandoren blue box reed. A 3 is like a freakin fence post, especially in comparison to a Rico 2. It is a HUGE leap in reed strength and adjustment will likely create bad habits.

Since you are struggling, try a 2 or try a 2.5 and see if you do better. A 2 will still be cleaner in tone and stiffer than the Rico. One can achieve a different tonal quality (note different, not necessarly better) with a heavier reed. Obligitory, mandated changes can hinder your progress. If your fighting your setup your not in much of position to address anything remotely musical.

[Dave Dolson]

Stud: I'd guess your band director is a drummer. DAVE

[Gandalfe]

Dave, you are in rare form tonight. :lol:

Stud, see if a Rico 2.5 reed is to your liking. Try it for a couple of weeks. You can always go back to a 2 if you don't like it, but I'm guessing that you will appreciate the extra stiffness and they seem to last longer.

I've used 2.5 all the way through school and now as I approach 50, I find I really still prefer them. If you want to try your teacher's recommendation, then by all means buy a Vandoren 3, 4, or 5. Then you will see the humor in Dave's recommendation.

[Dog Pants]

Stud, as a soon to be member of the "old balls" brigade, (or so my son reminds me, I can assure you that it is neither necessary nor desirable to move up to a 3 reed. Your ageing, drum playing, band director is simply going through a phase all older men experience. Without going into specifics, I would wager that he is having a little trouble "saluting the General," so to speak. Hence his obseesion with having a "stiffer reed." I have had several bosses go through this phase of life. My suggestion to you in all seriousness is to stick with your 2 or 2.5 and don't try to struggle with a 3. As stated above, the difference between a 2 and a 3 reed is quite signifigant. I played a 2.5 for ages, moved up to a 3 which I could play well enough and now play 2.5's again. Worry about sound not ego. You'll find yourself able to relax and just play without worrying about fighting your setup. As for your "old balls" band director, demonstrate the advantages of a 2.5 for him by playing such things as wide downward bends and fall-offs, all of which are easier on a softer reed. Failing that, just be straight with the man and say "...look, if it's OK for Pele,..." Good luck mate. :D

[sskilton]

I am not going to try and compete with the humour of you guys, I am far too prudish for that.

However I am going to agree with the comment that the jump in reed sizes is quite significant. I really don't seem the problem in using 2 or 2/12 reeds, there serve me perfectly well.

As said you simply can not fight with you set up. Go back to what you know and enjoy playing.

As Charlie Parker would say "Don't play the saxophone, let it play you".

[studsoccer06]

I think i'll take the advice and go back to what i was playing on.

I just wanted to mention that how ironic the fact is that the director is a drummer. :lol:

[Sigmund451]

Oh, that's rich.

Dave, maybe you should get one of those 4 dollar per minute psychic hotline numbers!

[Kareeser]

Most likely, your band director asked you to switch to a 3 reed simply because he has the absurd notion that a higher reed strength indicates a better player.

You'd better set him straight on that one... it doesn't signify anything at all except playing style, :P

[colibri]

band teachers...

[saxmasta89]

i could understand your director makin you switch to vandorens, basically because they sound a whole lot better than ricos(i'm talking about a band sound, not jazz)...but a 2 rico to 3 vandoren? woah

[Dave Dolson]

Carnack, the soprano player . . .

[saxmasta89]

tell the drummer to put a drumstick on a mouthpiece and play it!!!

[gerryr]

Might I suggest Reedagra for those thinner reeds :wink: .

Stud - Good decision in going back to what was working for you (and what sounds good). The whole 'use a 3' thing is meaningless without concidering the reed brand and the mouthpiece being used.

If your band leader really insists on you using 3's or higher I suppose you could take a pen, cross out the 2's on your current reeds and write in a 3. What the heck ... make it a 10!!

[Gargoyle]

I suppose I will just echo everything else that has been said so far.

In a wind ensemble, you want a dark classical sound. For me (and many others) a stiffer reed makes the tone less lound and less projected. This is probably why he wants you to switch; it will give you a rounder sweeter wind-ensemble-like tone.

Softer reeds are typically (though it is all individual) used for bright, loud, projected sound; for a jazz band.

I have had to work at using my Vandoren 3 or 3 1/2, but the difference in sound is worth it to me.