[gigaic]

I have both C* and C** mouthpieces. I have bought a box of LaVoz Medium for my C** and a box of Vandoren trad #3 for C*. I think the combination of C** is easier to control and the sound is louder than C* one.
I knew many players use C* + #3 whom can play beautiful sound, so is it the problem of my embouchure?
Should I give up to use trad #3 but LaVoz Medium in practise?

 

[dstack79]

I have both C* and C** mouthpieces. I have bought a box of LaVoz Medium for my C** and a box of Vandoren trad #3 for C*. I think the combination of C** is easier to control and the sound is louder than C* one.
I knew many players use C* + #3 whom can play beautiful sound, so is it the problem of my embouchure?
Should I give up to use trad #3 but LaVoz Medium in practise?

Don't worry if a setup you like is different than some "standard setup". Many saxophonists prefer orchestral tenor mpc's a bit more open than a C*. As for your reed choice, stick w/ what works but dont be shocked when you discover that you like another brand/strength even more. You may find you prefer the standard Vandoren's if you drop a half strength. Alternatively, you may want to try Rico Royal 3 or 2.5. That might be a sort of compromise between LaVoz and Vandoren's.

 

[gigaic]

Yes, at the very beginning, I used Rico Royal 2.5 which is easy for me to control the sound. However, my teacher didn't encourage me to use it because he said it was cheap and low quality and the most important thing was that it would affect my embouchure. So I am wondering whether good saxophonists use hard reeds(like stan getz use Vandoren trad #4!) or using hard reeds can train up good embouchure.

 

[dstack79]

Yes, at the very beginning, I used Rico Royal 2.5 which is easy for me to control the sound. However, my teacher didn't encourage me to use it because he said it was cheap and low quality and the most important thing was that it would affect my embouchure. So I am wondering whether good saxophonists use hard reeds(like stan getz use Vandoren trad #4!) or using hard reeds can train up good embouchure.

I think you should stick with what works best for you. If and when your embouchre changes...or you feel you need more resistance, only THEN change strength to accomodate it. My point is that simply increasing the reed strength outright wont necessarily make anyone sound better, nor develop your embouchre.

There are numerous saxophonists, from all schools (Orchestral, Rock, jazz, etc) who play way better than me on soft reeds.

This is an issue that comes up frequently on this blog. Search the "reed" forums and you'll see what I mean.

Stick w/ what you think sounds good and can control. Doesnt matter whether it's "cheap or low quality".

-Dan

 

[gigaic]

Thank you dstack79. I get your point.

 

[awholley]

dstack is exactly right.

I would assert that 98% of control comes from support and voicing, and 2% from embouchure "strength".

I support playing the softest reed that will do everything you need, as they offer the most flexibility. Playing a hard reed with a steel embouchure may be macho, but it really doesn't do much for your control (good or bad) in the long run.