reeds

[GILLIS]

I am a beginner tenor player and have been trying out different reeds. I am using an Otto Link tone master 7 star mouthpiece with a Rico Royal #2 reed. I recently bought a box of these reeds and I can't play them. They seem to be like a 2.5 or 3. Have they renumbered their reeds to be the same as there standard reeds? (which I would buy if my local store stocked them)

[Hurling Frootmig]

They can vary a bit. I have found Hemke's to be more consistent but the Hemke's are a little harder in the same strength when compared to the Rico Royal.

Pick up a copy of "The Art of Saxophone" by Larry Teal and try adjusting the reeds how he suggests.

[clem]

I would think a number 2 Rico Royal should play easily on a Link 7*, but that seems to me a pretty open mouthpiece for a beginner. Try getting your teacher to play your set-up to see if there is anything wrong. If everything is OK you probably just haven't developed the embouchure to play that mouthpiece yet.