I would say, if you find they close up on you, especially at a higher volume, when you give it more welly, it might be time to change to either another make or slightly harder reed. Although we say soft and hard, we're actually referring to the amount of resistance of the cane.
That said, although I went quickly from Rico 2 in my early days in 1995, to Vandoren 2 in a short space of time (slightly harder) and then to Java 2, I stayed on Java 2s until 2003, when I went for 2.5. I now play 2.5 on Meyer 6M and 2 on Dukoff D7.
In other words, play what works for you. Don't assume the longer and better you play, you have to get to a reed strength that resembles a piece of 4' x 2'! You match the best reed to your mouthpiece and also what is working for you.
That said, although I went quickly from Rico 2 in my early days in 1995, to Vandoren 2 in a short space of time (slightly harder) and then to Java 2, I stayed on Java 2s until 2003, when I went for 2.5. I now play 2.5 on Meyer 6M and 2 on Dukoff D7.
In other words, play what works for you. Don't assume the longer and better you play, you have to get to a reed strength that resembles a piece of 4' x 2'! You match the best reed to your mouthpiece and also what is working for you.
