[SaxDre]

I haven't played in ten years so I'm sure my embouchure is very weak. I used to play rico royals 3/3.5 on the clarinet (I played royals on the sax too but I can't remember the strength) and I loved them. I also remember that the alto sax required a "looser" embouchure. I'm out of practice but I played clarinet for 8 years and alto sax for 2. That being said what reeds would you suggest?

edit: I played rico royal 3 on the sax. I just found an old box.

Do you think 10 year old reeds are still playable?

 

[daigle65]

The choice of reed strength is dependent on the tip opening of the mouthpiece.
Do the Rico Royals #3 feel fine, too hard or too soft for you?

10 year old reeds should still be playable.

 

[SaxDre]

I don't know how they feel right now. I'm buying a sax and should have it soon. I have a cheap mouthpiece I got when I was in high school. I'll get a new mouthpiece once I get back into playing shape.

 

[maddenma]

Again, it depends on the mouthpiece. What is your "cheap mouthpiece"?

 

[SaxDre]

Hite premiere
http://www.wwbw.com/J---D-Hite-Premiere-Alto-Saxophone-Mouthpiece-462424-i1143179.wwbw?source=TWWRWXGP&gclid=CLbth6i62bsCFXHxOgodl0MAFQ&kwid=productads-plaid^43616596964-sku^[email protected]^PLA-device^c-adid^29660620221

 

[maddenma]

Well, I can find nothing on the tip opening of this piece, but I'm assuming it's fairly closed -- perhaps a Yamaha 4C equivalent given who it's marketed to.

You're probably ok starting off on a RR 2.5 or equivalent and building yourself back up again. Don't overdo it at first. Play for 15-20 minutes at a time, giving yourself plenty of mini-breaks in-between. Build yourself back up until you can play for an hour, and then allow yourself to think about other mouthpieces. Not that there's anything wrong with this piece, just get to a point that it will matter to you what you're playing on.

 

[daigle65]

With my beginner adult students I start them out with a 2½. Since you haven't played in 10 years, that would be a good choice for you.

 

[SaxDre]

Thanks I just won an auction for a Keilwerth ST90 and should have it next week. It looks like a nice sax hopefully it won't cost much to get it in good playing shape. I'll buy a box of 2.5 Royals and try to work myself back into playing shape. Then I'll hopefully be able to use my 3 royals. I played a Vandoren B45 on the clarinet and liked it but I only can compare it to the mouthpiece that came with my selmer student model clarinet. I don't know anything about sax mouthpieces. I'd like to grab a ligature to replace the no frills one I have right now as they seem fairly inexpensive. Any suggestions for that?

 

[maddenma]

The no-frills one is just fine. Until you get to the point that you start noticing very small difference in your sound, then a 2-screw, or whatever you're using is just fine.

Avoid the trap of "Gear Acquisition Syndrome" (aka GAS). It won't help you play better at this point, but will serve to lighten your wallet.

That said, make sure the horn you're using is playing at its best. Take the work out of using the tool so that the primary problem is just you.

 

[daigle65]

The no-frills one is just fine.....

+1
Save your money for a mouthpiece.