[DrWill]

OK, I admit it. I just brought the tenor out of storage for a new band .... and just couldn't get the sound I wanted, and could barely get any sound at all, till the box of Rico Royal #1 reeds came it. Popped one on. Sweet ! Just blow, out comes the sound.

I'm amazed that folks can play those hard reeds, and I'm sure your sound is much better for it, but for the weekend warrior, the beginner, or just those with flabby lip muscles, the #1 is the way to go !

 

[Dr G]

What mouthpiece are you using? I don't think I could get a sound from a #1.

 

[daigle65]

I didn't know they made #1's ?

 

[MoonMind]

They do, for Rico Royal and Plasticover, see here: http://store.daddario.com/category/146270/Rico_Royal_Tenor_Saxophone_10_Box

I didn't know that, either. But I'm still with Dr. G... What mouthpiece/opening? I'd have to play a 120 or even a 130 on tenor to justify a #1... and I'm not one for tough setups... But then, to each his own, and if it works for you, DrWill, all's well.

M.

 

[69193]

Huh. You might want to check on your mouthpiece. After 14 years without playing...I managed to play on the first breath (2.5 Rico). I think that it's a pretty forgiving mouthpiece though (Rico Graftonite A3).

 

[Dr G]

I'd have to play a 120 or even a 130 on tenor to justify a #1... and I'm not one for tough setups...

I play a 2 1/2 on a .122". Extrapolating, I'd have to go to a .237" (assuming corresponding shifts in facing length and baffle) to get a #1 to give a similar response.

Must feel like blowing a piece of soggy grass.

 

[MoonMind]

Never thought of it like that - in my experience, though, a .025'' difference means going a half step up or down. But since I play 2.5 on a .115'' opening, I'd have to use .190 - still a bit much, isn't it. But I also manage a nice tone on a .090'' Berg with a 2.5... so maybe .140 or .150 would work. Still no word from DrWill...

EDIT: Still talking tenor here - assuming from DrWill's avatar.

M.

 

[Agent27]

I don't know how you could play on a #1 either. When I started on saxophone at age 10 I was playing Rico Royal 3's.

 

[dubrosa22]

When I first started the music store owner sold me a 10 pack of Rico Royal 1.5s for $38.
The first day I got through 3 of them. 2 chipped through mishandling and the last 1 pretty much turned into wet toilet paper after a few hours.
I went back for some Blue box 2s.

 

[DrWill]

The mouthpiece is a Selmer Jazz D, I don't know the opening but it's close !

If I try playing a hard reed I have to blow hard to get a sound, I can't control it, and I wear myself out in about 1 min.

It's just one person's experience.

And, even though my 'sound' is pretty puny, in a big room with an echo, or with an SM57, hey, it's good to go ! Oops, almost forgot the reverb ! .... And you have more or less complete control of the nuances of the thing ... so that's good.

 

[Dr G]

Where there's a Will, there's a way... :twisted:

Have you had your horn checked for leaks? It really shouldn't be such an effort unless you suffer emphysema or similar.

 

[DrWill]

No emphysema, it's not an air problem, it's an embouchure problem.

I did have one other thought. At home I always trying to play softly so as not to disturb the neighbors. And I just moved out of an apartment where the problem was acute. Perhaps always trying to play softly predisposes one to soft reeds, it's surely much easier to play softly on a soft reed.

Anyhow, I just wanted to cast my vote for soft reeds, even if it's the only yea vote.

 

[Honeyboy]

For quite awhile I used 1.5 regular Ricos on a Dukoff D7 in my early playing days.I sounded good with them ,but I quickly upgraded to 3's because no one could hear me at my first jam session! Now I range from .90 to .125 mouthpieces and rarely go over a 3 reed.

So, use what works for you and don't let anyone discourage you!!!

 

[Currawong]

I don't see what the problem is with using an RR #1 reed. If they suit the player that's all that matters. I use a Legere Signature #2 on a Vandoren T35, and I like it. Whether anyone who has not heard me thinks that this combination is not ideal is irrelevant to me.

 

[gary]

How high can you play and have you checked your intonation up there?
Related: When you are playing high, can you blow loudly without the reed closing the mpc up?

 

[jlima]

No emphysema, it's not an air problem, it's an embouchure problem.

I did have one other thought. At home I always trying to play softly so as not to disturb the neighbors. And I just moved out of an apartment where the problem was acute. Perhaps always trying to play softly predisposes one to soft reeds, it's surely much easier to play softly on a soft reed.

Anyhow, I just wanted to cast my vote for soft reeds, even if it's the only yea vote.

Yeah, but can you play loud on it when you need to? I mean, really loud. And can you control the high register without choking the reed and/or without making the notes play sharp? These are some the true tests for a soft reed.

 

[daigle65]

...When you are playing high....

Well if he's playing high, no wonder he needs such a soft reed.

 

[DrWill]

How high can you play and have you checked your intonation up there?
Related: When you are playing high, can you blow loudly without the reed closing the mpc up?

I'm playing today in my room and it sounds good, I"m tellin ya. I'm adjusting. High notes? Yep you gotta watch those, but my thinking is if you hear them in tune you'll play them in tune, but ... sometimes I don't hear them it tune .... my highest note is altissimo A and it's clear as a bell .... F, thin, F# thinner, G dodgy, G# maybe ... up to E I'm good but beyond that .... not so good ...

I never try to play 'really loud' .... or if I do it's because I'm being drowned out, and it's futile anyhow .... no reed will compete with an electric guitar turned up ! Soln - stand closer to the mic.

 

[Starsax A2]

No emphysema, it's not an air problem, it's an embouchure problem.

I did have one other thought. At home I always trying to play softly so as not to disturb the neighbors. And I just moved out of an apartment where the problem was acute. Perhaps always trying to play softly predisposes one to soft reeds, it's surely much easier to play softly on a soft reed.

Anyhow, I just wanted to cast my vote for soft reeds, even if it's the only yea vote.

#1's might be a bit too much the other way, but I agree with your sentiment. I play #2 or #2.5 on all my horns, and have never felt the need to "progress" up through 3's, 4's, and lollipop sticks.

 

[82zguy]

to each his own. I prefer blue vandoren 3.5's for my tenor, but thats just me. Where did you find 1's?