CMelodyMan
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Most Favored Reed StrengthWhat is your most favored reed strength?
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CMelodyMan
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Most of y'all seem to favor 3's. I guess I'm the only one who favors 2.5's.
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JazZz
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I regularly play on 3's because if I don't, during concert band my tone won't match up entirely with the rest of the section. I do however prefer 2.5's because they are nice, it's more comfort with them for me. I started on 1's so everyone thought I was crazy. Entering high school, I was playing on 2's and the director got mad (he was a trumpet player) because the middle school told kids to start on 2.5's and 3's. He made me bump up to a 3, but outside of school I play on 2.5's. It bugs me that brass players insist that
reed strength = talent
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CMelodyMan
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I know the feeling, my BD, a trombonist, is like that.
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sforzandosax
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I use fours. I can't even p;lay on 2.5's or 3's anymore. I have to get a little more used to the fours though...
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Louis Scuderi
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I play 2's usually on tenor, but recently moved up to 3's. 3'5's are on the horizon... 
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Louis Scuderi
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Wow, Vandoren had a reed stamped 2.5 in my box of 3's. I tried it out and I realized it plays A LOT better than the 3's. Very easy low notes, so I'm officially a 2.5 man. Of only I could vote again.
PS- I'm still 3 on clarinet.
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saxmaniac
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I like 3.5 Ricos.
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darby dylan
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i actually started with 1.5 and went up to 3 in the years and that is what i like.
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reisio
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3's or 3.5's.
It's easy enough to sand a 3 down to something softer, too.
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altosax4ever
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reedMy BD (a saxophonist) makes all of us play on 3.5
EVERY ONE OF US.
FOR EVERY SINGLE BAND! jazz, marching, concert, solos, everything.
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Altosaxophonerules
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I play on 2.5's. They just seem to give me a better sound. 
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Jacob
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4's for tenor.
I love having a big sound that can fill up any room.
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altosax4ever
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2.5 Is my new fav, I've been using it for jazz!
pssst...don't tell my director!
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DdogonGod
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Not All Reed Strengths EqualIt must be noted that not all reed strength numbers are created eqaul. Comparing a Vandoren 3 and a Rico Royal 3, the Rico Royal is actually a much weaker reed. Generally, jazz specific reeds are slightly softer than general purpose reeds. If you go to Vandoren's site, then under products go to sax reeds. Once there, on the left, will be a link that says 'reed comparison index'. I was shocked to find the differences in a so-called 3.
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Cliff
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I only have 2, what's the diff in sound anyway?
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Thomas
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Re: reedIt depends on what style of music I'm playing. I use 2.5 Vandoren ZZ's for jazz, and 3.5 Vandoren regulars for classical. I play jazz more often, so I voted for 2.5. 
| altosax4ever wrote: | My BD (a saxophonist) makes all of us play on 3.5
EVERY ONE OF US.
FOR EVERY SINGLE BAND! jazz, marching, concert, solos, everything. |
That's a very poor teaching method; I really dislike it when band directors do that. He's your director, not your private teacher - he should let you make your own reed choices, and experiment with what suits you best. After all, even though he plays the same instrument as you, he still doesn't play the same way. He should only go so far as to give you good suggestions, and if one of the students needs individual help, they should go to him, not the other way around.
Edit:
| altosax4ever wrote: | 2.5 Is my new fav, I've been using it for jazz!
pssst...don't tell my director! |
You should tell him, just to see how he reacts. 
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JPSaxMan
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Wait...Thomas...playing mainly jazz? WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE REAL THOMAS HAY? Just kiddin man, I just knew you were more of a classical guy :p
I voted for 3 a while ago, but have found I will probably need to step up to 3&1/2's for classical. Oh well.
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Thomas
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| JPSaxMan wrote: | Wait...Thomas...playing mainly jazz? WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE REAL THOMAS HAY? Just kiddin man, I just knew you were more of a classical guy :p
I voted for 3 a while ago, but have found I will probably need to step up to 3&1/2's for classical. Oh well. |
"Would the real Thomas Hay please stand up?"
Don't worry, JP, it's the real me. I just realized a little while ago that classical music is pretty lame and boring. I'm going to try and gradually phase it out of my life, and move on to jazz.
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JPSaxMan
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Holy crap, somebody pinch me, I must be dreaming :p
Yea, I mean, I like some classical and I don't find it boring to play, but to listen to and emulate, yea is BORING
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cannonball_phil
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I like just bught some fives cuz my jazz buddies said I play to loud on a 3.5 so I move to a 5 on my alto and tenor sax cuz of peer pressure and I have to say I love of them they make me soud so powerful for every style I play, but on soprano I use 2 because it makes me sound so smooth
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