The Importance of Choosing Good Quality Saxophone Reeds

November 23, 2012
by Peter Urban

All saxophone players know the importance of choosing high quality reeds for their instruments. Saxophone reeds are made of cane or synthetic material. It is the wooden strip of thin wood that is attached in the mouthpiece of saxophones. Without it, the instrument becomes unplayable, which is why choosing the right reed is vital for every saxophone player. They also come with a high price, so you should make sure that you are getting good value for money when you buy one.

What are the houses of a good quality reed? This might be a prevalent question especially for your newcomers. With regards to durability, a thicker reed is obviously far sturdier compared to the thinner kinds. Even so, different reed thickness or strength also provides diversified sounds determined by the user\’s style of perform. Reeds are graded from one to five, one becoming the thinnest and five the thickest. A frequent misconception is that a player really should upgrade from 1 to 5 as he progresses in his experience of playing the saxophone. The truth can be a player would have a need to have for both according to the seam he desires to attain. For instance, a thick reed typically generates optimum volume and energy, while a skinny reed is excellent for taking part in vibrato and bending notes. Actually, a saxophone player needs a lot of work in his diaphragm if he desires to make a loud seem using a thin reed, hence, only a sophisticated participant can create great audio with slender reeds.

In terms of make, synthetic reeds are more durable than those that are made of natural cane. These polymers also do not need wetting prior to use, unlike wooden reeds. However, even if they do last longer, they can as easily stop working in a snap, which is why it is advisable to always have a spare with you. Some musicians say that they get better sound with reeds made of cane, which makes most players shy away from synthetic reeds even if they are more durable. The problem with naturally made reeds, however, is that they have inconsistent quality and strength, and they are prone to cracking. The best way to have a good one is to buy several pieces and try them out since it is hard to judge their quality by just looking at them. An indication of poor quality, though, is inconsistent width of grain and thickness.

When buying a reed, also make sure that it would match right with your instrument\’s mouthpiece. Long-time players believe that softer reeds are best for mouthpieces with wide openings, and stronger reeds are for those with narrow openings.

In summary, selecting the top reed is quite dependent on your instrument and your strategy in taking part in. Most saxophone players try out several brand names and thickness just before choosing on the right reed for them, and also you may possibly as well comply with their lead. Sooner or later, you\’ll discover a manufacturer that wills finest fit your design and method. Bear in mind, saxophone reeds aren\’t low-cost but you must devote on them should you be enthusiastic about your taking part in and should you don\’t want your instrument to end up collecting dust in its case.

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