I think anything below a Rico 2 is pretty darn useless unless you have physical problems breathing or using a straw. The best advice is to ask your teacher and go from there.

 

Royals would be my first suggestion. I would try both a 1.5 and 2.

Since you’re already a wind player and might have better air support, maybe a 2.5 as well. But definitely check with a teacher.

 

Most kids start in the 5th or 6th grade using Rico Orange box in a 2 or 2.5.
It would also be helpful to know what mouthpiece you are using.

 

Hi all,

I am new to the forum and also new to learning the alto saxophone.

I am a trumpet player interested in learning how to play the saxophone. I will be starting my lessons soon (hopefully within a couple of weeks).

Do you guys have any suggestions for the reeds I should buy? There is a lot of information out there, and I am a bit confused. It seems that most of you agree that a 1.5 size should be the starting choice.

Most??? No. Not true. Not even. Where did you glean this tidbit?

I don't know of ANYONE that says a beginner should use a 1.5 strength reed.

FWIW, if a #2 reed is too hard, then you are using the wrong mouthpiece.

 

Hi,
Thank you all, for the suggestions. I got a Vandoren V16 mouthpiece. I also have a mouthpiece that come with Yanagisawa AWO1 sax.

Thanks again!

 

Hi,
Thank you all, for the suggestions. I got a Vandoren V16 mouthpiece. I also have a mouthpiece that come with Yanagisawa AWO1 sax.

Thanks again!

Congrats on the horn. Do the mouthpieces have markings indicating their size?

 

The main thing is not to look at numbers like its a target at your local gym, but to find a reed that fits your current setup. My teacher set me up with a size 3 reed for a meyer 5 some 20 years ago. Today i'm using a synth reed 2 1/2 - because screw it - same on my tenor, but contemplating going down to a 2

focus on the sound you want, and not the fight

 

The main thing is not to look at numbers like its a target at your local gym, but to find a reed that fits your current setup. My teacher set me up with a size 3 reed for a meyer 5 some 20 years ago. Today i'm using a synth reed 2 1/2 - because screw it - same on my tenor, but contemplating going down to a 2

focus on the sound you want, and not the fight

Thanks!

 

Great Yany. And the MP is terrific too.

 

Taking for granted that learning good technique and practice are the foundation to developing your embouchure, I was recently surprised by a copacetic reed. Which was cheaper than other equipment change.

 

Taking for granted that learning good technique and practice are the foundation to developing your embouchure.

I agree! this is actually the same for trumpet. However, we know there are some mouthpieces is better to avoid when your are at the beginning.
Thanks for your comment!

 

Orange Box Ricos are beginner friendly, and I agree that a 2 or 2.5 is the place to start. They come in boxes of 3, so you could start that way to figure out which strength is best. After that, buy in boxes of 10. They won’t all be the same, so try them all. Which one sounds best may change as you learn to play

Your teacher may have other advice, in which case listen to him or her.

Either of those mouthpieces should be fine for starting out. Again, choose based on what sounds best and/or is easiest to play.

 

Thanks

 

I've been playing tenor sax 1 Month and am using a Rico 2. I also have a 1.5 I used for the 1st day.

 

I've been playing tenor sax 1 Month and am using a Rico 2. I also have a 1.5 I used for the 1st day.

Thanks

 

The stock mouthpiece coming with Yany alto should be the AC140/150 instead of the traditional stock 5 or 7, right? If it is the former one then you will need to get a harder reed for sure even you are a beginner. The Yany AC140 is only about 0.055" (which is like a tip for a soprano piece) so even a Rico Royal 2 will make it feel too soft.

 

I got my sax today. You were right the mouthpiece is AC150. The horn is beautiful and very easy to blow in. Tomorrow I will get my first lesson. My teacher suggested Rico select Jazz 2M reeds.

 

Orange Box Ricos are beginner friendly, and I agree that a 2 or 2.5 is the place to start. They come in boxes of 3, so you could start that way to figure out which strength is best. After that, buy in boxes of 10. They won’t all be the same, so try them all. Which one sounds best may change as you learn to play

My advice exactly.

 

stay away from vandoren reeds as they run at least 1/2 strength harder than most other reeds and this confuses beginners

 

When I started I used natural cane rico or rico royals, 2.0. Maybe stay away from the synthetics to start with. They're about 10x the cost.

 

I always recommend that beginners use a good quality synthetic (e.g. Hartmann). The reasons are simple:
It gives long term consistency and can last over a year. This means that a beginner concentrates on every other aspect of playing and doesn't have to negotiate whether the reed is past it's prime, a new reed being useless, trying to work reeds to improve flaws (very common). It's true that they cost much more, but are not more expensive in the long run. Consistency is the key to fast improvement. Cane reeds by their nature are enormously inconsistent.

 

I always recommend that beginners use a good quality synthetic (e.g. Hartmann). The reasons are simple:
It gives long term consistency and can last over a year. This means that a beginner concentrates on every other aspect of playing and doesn't have to negotiate whether the reed is past it's prime, a new reed being useless, trying to work reeds to improve flaws (very common). It's true that they cost much more, but are not more expensive in the long run. Consistency is the key to fast improvement. Cane reeds by their nature are enormously inconsistent.

Agree. The Legere Signature feels very close to cane reed. You may not get the best sound out of it but it is the easiest to play. I occasionally got squeak on some of my mouthpieces (all have perfect table, either refaced or by very famous MP manufacturer) and the squeak can be totally eliminated by using the Legere.

 

the issue with the hartmans are the choice is beyond the scope of the beginner in terms of which one to buy. their strength guide is more in line with cane tho. not like most of the other synth reeds. also the hartmans are hard to find to buy

 

Hartmans are great for the beginning hunter during duck season.