What reeds are best for saxophone?

The best reed for beginner saxophone is a size 2 or size 2.5 reed. Most beginners start with Rico, Rico Royal, or Vandoren Brand Saxophone Reeds. Your teacher will usually recommend one of these types of reeds to start with. Reed sizes vary in half measures from 1.5 to 4.

How long does a reed last for a saxophone?

Reeds don’t last long Expect a reed to last for around a week to two weeks. When you change from a reed you’ve been using for some time to a new reed, the sound of your instrument will change with it.

What reeds does the saxophone have?

Saxophone Reed Material – Natural or Synthetic? Traditionally, reeds have been made of a special type of grass called Arundo Donax. These are called cane reeds, and they became the preferred material because of their rich tone.

Do sax reeds expire?

Saxophone reeds almost never expire provided that they are not being actively used. This is especially true if the reed is kept in its original container and never played at all.

How often should you change your reeds?

Six months is the average time reeds last. However, there are ways to extend their lives. With proper care, they can last for quite some time. Here are some simple rules and tips on how to make your reeds last as long as possible.

Do you need to soak saxophone reeds?

Soaking a reed for too long of a period of time can be as much of a problem as not doing enough. A reed doesn’t need much time in water to become ready to play. Going beyond that becomes harmful to the reed. I normally soak a broken in reed only about 1 minute before playing it.

Can you soak saxophone reeds in water?

Fill a plastic jar with warm water and soak the reeds in the jar for 2 hours. Every few days during this process, remove the reeds from their covers again, and transfer them into a glass cup with just a little bit of water in it to soak the tip area of the reed, but leave the rest of the reed dry in the open air.

Why are Vandoren reeds so expensive?

So yes, reeds are expensive to buy. But clearly, they’re also very expensive to produce. The process takes years, AND it requires large amounts of land located in a very expensive part of the world. It’s labor intensive and Employees in France actually cost a fortune.

Are synthetic reeds better?

Since synthetic reeds are manufactured with durability in mind, they won’t get warped or dry out when you aren’t playing your saxophone or clarinet. Since they’re more durable than conventional reeds, synthetic reeds are often preferred by marching bands or for use in other outdoor events.