The humble saxophone reed. Just a simple piece of reed shaved down to a rounded tip. But, these simple little pieces of wood (okay, technically grass) are more complex than they let on so I’ve put together a list of common and not-so-common facts about saxophone reeds.
- How Long Does A Saxophone Reed Last
- What Do The Numbers On A Reed Mean
- What Are Synthetic Saxophone Reeds
- Are Synthetic Sax Reeds Better Than Standard Reeds
- What Reeds Are Best For New Saxophone Players
- How Do I Know If A Sax Reed Is Good
How many playing hours will a sax reed last?
If we follow a normal practice schedule of 1 to 2 hours a day there shouldn’t be any normal reason a reed can’t last you a month or two. As long as you can get a good seal on the sides (between the reed and mouthpiece) and playing doesn’t become difficult or “chirpy,” then the reed can still be played on.
You’ll probably hear experts and teachers tell you to replace your sax reed every two to three weeks. This is probably true for most students who are playing for a few hours every day but a better question is, “After How Many Playing Hours Should I Replace My Saxophone Reed?”
This is a more fine-tuned way to think about reed replacement since some people…usually college saxophone performance majors…are playing 4-8 hours a day while the more casual music student might only be playing an hour or two a day. Basically, there is no way a reed is going to last when it’s being used 50+ hours a week for that 2-3 week benchmark I mentioned above.
Not to pull the old “switch-er-oo” on you, but the best answer to the question, “How Often Should I Replace A Saxophone Reed” is when you think it needs to be replaced.
This isn’t always helpful to a new player, but follow these guidelines to help you make a good decision.
- Is Playing Becoming More Difficult?
- Do I Chirp or Squeak More Often Than Normal?
- Is the Edge of the Reed Cracked or Chipped?
- Is the Edge of the Reed Warped or Wavy?
Any one of these could be a sign to replace your reed. If you are studying with a private teacher or part of a school band, ask your teacher. But really, even if you’re young and just starting out you’ll know if it’s suddenly more difficult to play or you’re squeaking a lot now when you weren’t the other day…this is saxophone troubleshooting. Always start with the easiest thing to replace, the reed.
One last tip for this topic is reed rotation. This is when you use 3-5 reeds over the course of your week’s playing time. Players that do this will get a few reed cases and label each spot either 1, 2, 3, etc or M, T, W, Th, etc, and use only that reed on that day.
This will allow you to have multiple reeds being worn out at the same rate but over a longer period of time than just playing on one reed every day until it’s bad.
What Do The Numbers On Sax Reeds Mean?
Saxophone reeds will typically have a number between 2 and 5 written on them, along with half sizes. This number indicates the thickness of the reed with 2 being thinner and 5 being thickest. This number helps players purchase the correct reed for their playing style and for the type of sound they want to have.
New players will typically want to start with softer reeds, usually 2 or 2 1/2 since they will vibrate a little easier thus producing a sound without a lot of breath.
This isn’t to say that the higher the number the “more professional” the reed…it really comes down to the type of sound you want. Lower numbered reeds…sometimes referred to as “softer reeds”….will produce a bright, and cheerful sound. A lot of jazz players like this type of sound so it’s quite possible to have professional jazz saxophonists playing on a 2 1/2 or 3 reed.
So-called “classical” saxophonists…basically, players that tend to be in wind ensembles or ones asked to play with an orchestra…are drawn to higher numbered reeds, 4’s and 5’s. The harder reeds take more effort to play but will produce a more dynamic tone that leans towards a darker sound.
In both jazz and classical style of music, a player may use a different reed depending on what music they are playing. If it’s a Christmas concert with an orchestra a sax player may want to edge towards a brighter sound and opt for a size 3 reed, but if they are going to play “Bolero” with the orchestra then they might want to use a darker size 4 reed to blend a little better with the orchestral winds as a whole.
A few things to keep in mind is that the mouthpiece and ligature (a ring that holds the reed onto the mouthpiece) will also play a big part in the sound a player produces. It’s not uncommon for a sax player to have multiple sizes and brands of reeds, two or 3 ligatures, and several mouthpieces.
Players will also gently sand their reeds and clip the tips, basically creating custom thicknesses. Now, these are advanced techniques that beginning sax players don’t need to worry about…I’ve been playing for 30 years and I rarely do this (I play on 3’s and will sometimes run the flat edge of the reed over sandpaper just to get rid of burrs.)
If you’re a beginner I highly recommend sticking with 2 or 2 1/2 strength reeds. Even if you don’t like the brighter sound, softer reeds are much easier to produce a sound with and will save a lot of frustration when you’re learning. After a little bit of time, you can always pick up a few size 3 reeds and start working with them.
Jumping from a 2 to a 4 is not something I recommend…it will feel like you’re playing on a 2×4. Work your way up…your patience will be rewarded!
What Are Synthetic Saxophone Reeds?
Synthetic saxophone reeds are reeds that are made from composite materials, usually polypropylene or similar non-toxic plastics. Like any technology, advances are always being made to create a reed that is as close to the natural thing as possible.
Standard wooden reeds, made from Arundo Donax…aka, giant cane…have their fair share of negatives to go along with their positives. Synthetic reeds were developed to remedy some of these problems however, synthetic reeds introduce their own set of pros and cons for saxophonists.
Let’s go a little more into detail on the pros:
Consistent
A cane reed, being made of a natural material, are never the same as the others in the box. Since synthetic reeds are…well, synthetic…they are produced through a machining process that makes each one in the batch more or less identical.
Easier to Play
Synthetic reeds tend to play similarly to softer reeds, which take a little less breath to produce tones. You also don’t have to pre-soak them like you do cane reeds and they don’t require any maintenance or clean-up when you take one out of the box. Cane reeds will sometimes have burrs on the flat side as a result of the production process, so many saxophonists will run them over fine-grit sandpaper to take those burrs off.
Durable
Wood is brittle. It’ll split, chip and warp. Synthetic reeds can take a little more abuse and won’t show wear and tear as quickly as cane reeds. Synthetic reeds also won’t be affected by humidity or temperature like cane reeds which can crack when too dry and swell when too humid.
And here’s a few more details one the cons:
More Expensive
Cane reeds aren’t exactly cheap, even though cane itself isn’t exactly “exotic,” there is still some machining that needs to be done. Well, synthetic reeds…in addition to machining…requires the production of the composite material itself. This drives the cost up. A quick search online shows a single synthetic reed going for $18-$25, whereas you can usually get a box of 5-10 reeds (depending on the brand) for the same price. Of course, the trade-off here is that you pay more for a reed that will last longer…so things might even out over the course of a year of reed buying.
May Not Like the Brighter Sound
This is only a con if you’re not into a brighter sound. Thicker cane reeds tend to have a darker tone quality but synthetic reeds have a more consistent timbre no matter the reed thickness. If you happen to like this kind of sound, then slide this one up to the “pro” list.
Are Synthetic Sax Reeds Better Than Wood Reeds?
I’m the first to admit it…musicians can be a persnickety bunch. As you develop your musicianship, you may want to begin shaping your reeds. What I mean by this is buying a harder reed and then sanding it down a little and possibly clipping the tip. What you end up with is a custom hardness of reed to suit your sound and playing style.
Like I mentioned earlier in this article, this is a pretty advanced process that beginners shouldn’t even worry about and even advanced players may shy away from.
If you happen to be someone who likes customizing their reeds, then synthetic is not the right choice for you.
On the other hand, if you’re accident-prone, play for several hours a day over many weeks, or are buying reeds for your kiddo who just started elementary band, then you might like the durability that synthetic reeds provide.
So the answer ends up being that it depends on your needs. You’ll find that “it depends” is a common answer when it comes to reeds or saxophones in general.
Even though reeds can be expensive, at least they aren’t “Corvette” expensive. If you’re curious about synthetic reeds then pick up a few different brands and try them out. I think having more tools in your toolbox is nothing but an advantage for a saxophonist. Over your playing career, you’re going to end up with all thicknesses and brands of reeds, multiple mouthpieces, and different horns. So having options at the ready for reeds is nothing but a good thing.
What Reeds Are Best For A Beginner Sax Player?
For the beginner saxophone player softer reeds (2 or 2 1/2) are a great starting point. They require less effort to produce a sound and are easier to control when learning how to play at various dynamic (volume) levels. Since they are less expensive, cane reeds are a better often a better option than synthetic reeds.
As for brands, I remember starting on Rico brand reeds. They tend to be a little less expensive than other brands. Vandoren and Legere are great “next step” options, as are synthetic reeds…which I went into detail about up above.
For players in their first or second year of playing, I would shy away from reeds labeled as “jazz” cut or another specialty style of reed. Just go for standard cut reeds and focus on getting a clear, in-tune sound.
As you develop your skills you can start getting some of these specialty cut reeds. Taking a quick look at Woodwind-Brasswinds website I found a few variety packs with different counts….kind of like those variety packs of mini cereal boxes, you get to try a bunch of “flavors” without buying a full box of something you might not like.
Most beginning saxophones will come with a plastic mouthpiece and softer reeds tend to combo better with them. This is likely due to both being easier for beginners to get a solid sound with, and also with the softer reed making a more consistent seal against the sides of the mouthpiece.
How Do I Know If A Saxophone Reed Is Good?
There are a few obvious sings that a reed is bad:
- Chipped
- Cracked
- Split
- Overly Warped or Wavy
But some issues might not be as obvious. Natural cane can have inconsistencies in the grain that can prevent the reed from vibrating evenly.
It’s also possible that a mishap happened in the machining process that left the edge of the reed slightly off-kilter or the thickness a little off from one side to the other. Even a small fraction can prevent a good seal or your breath from gliding across the reed and into the mouthpiece evenly.
Also, be on the lookout for discoloration across the reed. This can indicate weak sections of the wood which will also affect how the air travels across the read or how the sides seal to the mouthpiece.
However, if the reed appears to have a slight green tinge to it, this doesn’t automatically make it a bad reed, just one that hadn’t fully dried during its manufacturing. I’d recommend putting it in a reed case and letting it finish out its drying process before giving it a try.
Unfortunately, music stores won’t likely let you open up a box of reeds to check them…so it can be a bit of a gamble.
This is another time that musicians…in this case we saxophonists…can be a little persnickety. If you are very sensitive to how your reads look, feel, sound, and play then a box of reeds may have a few duds in it. For a beginner, I think the machining process and quality control at major reed manufacturers are good enough that 99% of the time you’ll be able to play on any reed in the box. Let your persnickety-ness grow with you as you grow as a musician.
Circling back to the more obvious issues I mentioned above, a chipped, cracked, or slit reed is pretty much set for the garbage can…but be careful with tossing out a warped reed.
Remember, reeds are a natural material…wood (okay, technically grass) and they perform at their best when they are wet. The sides of the reed tip will dry a little more quickly than the middle, so some warping is natural.
Just dry off your reed…most of us just give it a quick wipe across the knee of our pants to get the bulk of the moisture off and then set it into a reed case, preferably one that’s open at the ends or has air holes drilled into it. In an hour or two, your reed should be flat again.
A good rule of thumb: If your reed looks like a wide lower case ’n’ it should be fine. If it looks like a bunch of ‘www’. In a row…probably time to replace it.