Mr. Kendrick, you always present a logical, unbiased, down-to-earth, and practical approach to equipment. Thank you for your honesty.

@StantawnKendrick

7 жыл бұрын

no problem! That's why I do it!

the difference between filed and unfiled is nothing compared to differance among reeds in one single box

@MarkPeotter

7 жыл бұрын

I agree! The way the reed is cut and manufactured doesn't matter as much as the actual organic plant it came from.

@vespass225

4 жыл бұрын

Hi! I couldn't agree more. The difference between reeds in the same box is HUGE. From on one end; fantastically responsive, super easy and relaxed to play, powerful but soft beatiful tone, perfect control high to low pitch, to on the other end; Hard blown, unresponsive, dull dead tone, squeeely , uncontrolled at high pitch and more or less useless. I think it is actually not honest to sell the box at full price, 5-6 bucks each reed and 2-3 goes down the bin. Should be some high tech testing ( mech tests of stiffness, resonant behaviour , damping etc ) of each before delivery

@aleebrokenback5909

2 жыл бұрын

@@vespass225 yeah but prices after those tests yiiiiikeeeees

@user-hv4nl9rn8t

20 күн бұрын

@@vespass225I love a good cane reed more than any synthetic reed but at that point, unless you are comfortable throwing out 70% of your cane reeds, just get get a synthetic reed

I've been doing this for over 30 years, you really get it and explain it perfectly!! with all the doodoo out there you are a gem!

Thank you for sharing!! My impression is exactly the way you put it...every cane reed is different, no matter filed or unfiled...Yesterday I've bought my first Légère Signature (better than the regular) reed for tenor and man.. they have improved so much! so after all these years I've been playing, I'm so happy to not needing to bother anymore about trying out 10 or 20 cane reeds, in order to select the good ones. You might expect the legeres being more consistent and especially more alike, when you take the the same strenght....

Great to hear an opinion from an expert, thanks Stantawn

That was really useful, thank you: someone gave me a great reed and I want to buy more and came up against this 'filed or unfiled' query. Your video really helped. As an oboist primarily, I completely get the fact that there is so much more to consider than just the 'cut'. Reed angst:perhaps we need our own support group!

Thank you man, very clear explanation, and your sound is great!

I love your natural way of playing which emphasizes expression. My impression is that you have developed a really good sound concept in your inner ear. You could blow on any reed and achieve your sound concept. Then it boils down to free blowin or hard blowin. You have the sound concept of the great masters. Keep up the great work.

@StantawnKendrick

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for your comment and thanks for watching!

Love this explanation/description. You are spot on.

You are absolutely right its just one piece of the puzzle. On a bassoon reed we will sometimes cut a more defined line in the same area that single reeds are filed. Its help the low notes speak better. Filing effecting response makes sense to me.

Hi Stan and thanks for putting your videos together just found you to nite. My name is Abraham I was born in Boston but have liVed quite a while in Brasil. Where I am now just outside the mega city São Paulo. Full of musicians bUt not so many instrumental clubs. We are in a heavy financial/political crisis now with orchestras shutting down in many cities!!! It's hard to get good reeds well the prices are about 3x as high, so to experiment is difficult, that makes your vIdeo precious here. THANKS BRO!!

Very informative and straightforward. 👍🏼

You are right again. Very interesting and good video again. Many thanks :) Mario,from Canada

Just like your Tone .Its so great .If you ever comes to Denmark I buy a ticket right away.Saxplayer from Denmak

You are a true musician and indipendent thinker, unlike many others that, conciously or not, become salesmen of very clever marketing schemes. Thank you for the excellent review.

Well said! I think manufacturers dream up new names and manufacturing nuances just to get us to spend more money trying to achieve that elusive perfect tone.

When you add up all of the variables and factors that go into how a saxophone sounds it is overwhelming. Hundreds of saxophone and saxophone setup choices; hundreds, if not thousands of mouthpiece choices (including refacing), and hundreds of reed choices. There's a dozen reed manufacturers most with at least a half dozen reed products, with a half dozen strengths and cuts, the combinations of all of this are in the millions. To be a saxophone player, it seems, is to be: A gear chaser. I watched this video because I bought a new horn and I wanted to take a fresh look at my reed choices. Thanks for making it. It's a good video. I will not buy a D'addario product because their website is so ambiguous about the description of their product (they use words like "dynamically flexible"). I'll buy a couple of reeds, play test, pick one and otherwise I will focus on my skills -- not the equipment.

Your video must surely be the first of its kind in that you have expressed your own honest opinion of the file vis a vis unfilled reed. I live in a third world country where one just cannot go into a shop and buy the type of reed you want. I have searched and searched for ways to soften hard reeds. All that I could find is material suited for a brain surgeon. There are some sixty spots on the reed that require some sort of micro surgery equipment to scrape without touching the adjacent spot. Would you have made a video suited for an ordinary sax person that would require just a blade to soften hard reed. Thank you and all the very best to you.

I'm so glad I found your channel. Very helpful as a player and educator! I could listen to you just practice all day. Have you ever been not too crazy about player "A", but then you hear an element of that person's playing in player "B", which makes you change your mind about "player A"? I've never been too crazy about Joe Lovano. I hear so much of his sound in yours. And I've decided just now...I like Joe Lovano. I hear him differently now because of you.

@StantawnKendrick

8 жыл бұрын

thanks for watching man! I've never thought of it that way... the player A vs B and because of B you may like A. I will say this... Joe Lovano is great lol. But it did take me some time to grow musically to understand how and why he is great. Then when I met him he was an even better person! Cool, laid back never a weird vibe. So, if you do hear some Lovano-isms in my playing lol.... it's because he's definitely someone I have studied over the years too as well. Someone who Lovano definitely has possibly listened to that most people don't realize is Paul Gonsalves... who I also have done extensive study on. I humbly appreciate the compliment lol.

Very interesting. Thank you for this video.

thank You for your kind reply, couldn't tell the difference either. Brian

For me, it's not a bright or dark thing either. It's all about the response and the resistance. I prefer a little resistance and have always liked unfiled reeds better. I think the way it "feels" when you play it will determine how you manipulate the sound. (Just found you. Great videos. Thanks.)

@StantawnKendrick

8 жыл бұрын

Great comment and I agree 100% it's more about a "feel" more so than how it sounds. Thanks for watching!

Stantawn, Love your videos. For Tenor I go between Vandoren Red Box and LaVoz Med. Also you need some posters on that wall ;)

wat a gwarn Stantawn,..... feelin the channel bredgerin. keep it up .. big upz.. from derbyuk. respects;

very nice explanation!!

Niiice! Please make a video on articulation! There's a bunch of guys out there talking about it but they surely don't articulate as well as you do (at least to my ears).

I totally agree with your opinions on this subject, Stantawn! Reeds are harvested from a plant called Arundo Donax, which is related to grasses (not bamboo). I believe 99% of all the reeds in the world come from the same grass forest in France, right? About 1% come from Agrentina.

Very good and unbiased analysis of filed and unfiled reeds. I have only used filed reeds a single time because I bought a box by mistake, that is without noticing. I swear I could not tell the difference, except the filed reads tended to wear out faster. Probably caused more by the way I play than anything else. My brother, who also plays has had the same reaction. And, since I am commenting, I agree about the darkness-brightness. I prefer the darkest sound I can get because my ears just like it. But again, the filed reeds did not seem to make a difference.

Amazing playing brother 👏👏👏

Love your sound, buddy

Im still trying to get my boy Danny Hall to get me lessons with you Stantawn lol. Love the video keep them coming.

Great info., Thanks!

I totally agree with your analysis

Excellent channel.

Very good video brother very subjective issue! Thanks 🙏🏻

is true some times you have to throw half box away because there no good witch make are the best and more reliable great vid by the way as usual

Synthetic Reeds? Have you tried Legere? Your experience? Do you think switching to Legere would be a mistake for someone trying to break away from classical sound to work on developing more of the fat, fuzzy sound you have mastered? @ 11:33 By the way, your "Body & Soul" reminds me of my favourite Sonny Rollins recording (unaccompanied Body & Soul). He's smiling for you, I'm sure. :) Thanks for all these videos. I'm working my way through all of them and really appreciate listening to your ideas (and your sound, of course).

I agree with absolutely everything you have said!

I hear Joshua Redman influence in your playing Bro....nice tone by the way..

@StantawnKendrick

7 жыл бұрын

Definitely love his playing. He's a master!

+Stantawn Kendrick No thank you man for providing this information, you truly have "the sound"

Thanks! This helped me a lot

Excellent

+Stantawn Kendrick... you have the sound, I love the set up too, silver Mark Vl with a Florida link. You have a gift man!!!

@StantawnKendrick

8 жыл бұрын

thank you so much brother and thanks for watching!

Ha! ...randomly stumbles across the channel of a guy who went to my high school, lol.

I say the best route is to try as many as you can, record it, listen, and then pick what you think sounds best. Best case situation you can go to a store where you can pick individual reeds from different companies, but for me I ordered a Vandoren Jazz Sample pack and I tried them all and I picked the one that sounded and felt the best to me.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover I had the same setup as Phil Woods.....of course I don't sound or play like the master.....Rest in joyful musical peace Mr.Woods.

@StantawnKendrick

4 жыл бұрын

I got a chance to meet and hear him once live over in Italy. Amazing guy, amazing player. Big sound! RIP.

I agree. I believe it has much more to do with the whole reed than just the filed or unfiled. I was told years ago that unfiled = darker sound. Since that was the sound i was going for, thats what i went with. I've been playing unfiled ever since and don't plan on messing with the filed because i don't think it'd make a big difference. Like you said, it's more about what sound you're hearing. I do believe that different mouthpieces like different reeds, due to the facing curve. My Mouthpiece Cafe (Brian Powell) pieces like green(unfiled) javas My Macsax and 10MFan (Eric Falcon) pieces like Jazz Select unfiled

@StantawnKendrick

7 жыл бұрын

Exactly! Thanks for your comment! Which Mouthpiece cafe piece do you like?

@grahamharris5496

7 жыл бұрын

On alto I play an Espresso .083 and on tenor I play the Slant Supreme .110. Green Java 3 on both!

@StantawnKendrick

7 жыл бұрын

Graham Harris I always wondered the difference between the slant supreme and the primo. Haven't found many people that know. I know their baffle is different.

@grahamharris5496

7 жыл бұрын

You'll find the differences to be very similar to the differences in a link Slant and link EB. Primo has a slightly higher and longer baffle. Slightly narrower window. It gives a more focused and compact sound than they Slant. IMO

@StantawnKendrick

7 жыл бұрын

Graham Harris I own a Slant Supreme I got second hand. It's a great piece. I never played a Primo though. By your details I can get an imagination of what it would be like

Do you have a method for selecting reeds? Do you rotate your reeds or play a great one until it just gives out? Also, do you shave your reeds at all? If you already have a video on reed selection and care could you direct me to it? Thanks… You're a terrific resource.

Oh geez, I thought you Ravi Coltrane for a second!

Hi Stantawn Kendrick, Great Video. Just a quick question, What size RJS reed would you recommend for a Florida otto link 7* tenor mouthpiece

@StantawnKendrick

7 жыл бұрын

don't know how I missed this comment. Honestly... it depends on the player. I use 4S and 4M at times. Some use 2Hs some use 3M on the same tip. It really depends on your embouchure etc. What is most comfortable is the best choice.

Stantawn your videos are the best I've seen...straight to the point and honest... Have you checked out Sirvalorsax? His tone is epic... your tone is classic as well.

@StantawnKendrick

4 жыл бұрын

thanks so much man I'll make sure to check out the channel thanks so much for stopping by my page :)

I have a hard time even judging reeds against each other. There is such a wide range, even within the same box! It would cost sooooo much money to try the best reed out of box, of 7 different types of reeds! Because maybe the free blowing Vandoren Java reed is equivalent to the stuffy Rico Royal. Basically, you just gotta find a brand that delivers a %75 of the time what you're lookin' for.

@StantawnKendrick

8 жыл бұрын

Yeah it can be tricky out there man. But once you find a brand that you trust and are used to.. I stay just stick to that

@joerumler48

4 жыл бұрын

For me it's the stuffy Van Doren,.....

I love your tone. What is your mpc/reed setup? I use a java 3 1/2 green box/unfiled with an old Brilhart levelaire 5*. Bright mpc toned down by the Java green. The reds/filed were brighter to me.

@StantawnKendrick

7 жыл бұрын

I use a vintage FL Otto link piece and a 4 Jazz Select. In my experience both Java Red and Green are a bit bright for me. I'm sure it could be different for different people of course lol

That sound!

Sage advice.

I request that you make another reed video trying out a bunch of files reeds brand new back to back to isolate the differences and keep all other factors the same. A video about how filed or unfiled don't make a difference becuase of other factors could be more informative if the other factors were eliminated. That'd bring a lot of useful information to the viewer and hopefully will get you a ton of views, but a video comparing a bunch of them side by side would be awesome. :)

@StantawnKendrick

Жыл бұрын

Ok you should make the video and I hope your video does well and is very informative 👍🏾I don't do this for views, subs or numbers. If I did, I would be making videos weekly, sharing them across social media and platforms and asking for likes and subs etc. Trying to be a "KZreadr". But as you can see... I don't. I only make a long format video on a whim when I have something I want to share. If it gets numbers... that's cool... if it doesn't... it wasn't my goal to begin with. I'm a professional musician 1st and I share something to help my viewers better their musicianship. To me this video is enough to let people know to try out filed vs unfiled and come to their own conclusions of what they like and why. Too much information of my own opinion creates confusion of them developing their own.

@DannyClassics

Жыл бұрын

@@StantawnKendrick thanks for the explanation. Btw, I had a typo in my remark, and i corrected it because the typo may have implied a negative tone, but in no way am I trying to be negative. I really respect your musicianship and appreciate the videos you've shared. They are informative and add value to the consumer. I was just requesting that you do another video where you test them out side by side to compare them "apples to apples." As a consumer of your videos, it'd help me, and I would assume others like me if you did a video like that. If you don't want to, and if you're not interested in it, that's cool, like you said, you're a musician first and not a KZreadr. Just as one of your audience members I wanted to share my opinion in the comment section, for whatever it's worth to you. I figured honest feed back is always best, and since I respect your musicianship, I figured I'd share my opinion, whatever it's worth. If you do make a reed video where you compare them side by side, I'd be sure to check it out. If not, it's all good. If anything, stay focused on the music and don't sweat the comment section. You're a great musician and you're doing it right! Take care.

I'm on with you brother

I'm just a Beginner but have a few questions. Being Cane reeds can be so different and inconsistent because of where or how the cane is harvested or cut would a synthetic reed be more consistent in response when purchasing the same brand number ect. Also, would a reed trimmer help cut the soft tip reeds to a better resistance for a better response for each individual player.. Just thinking. Great Vids buy the way!!!

@StantawnKendrick

7 жыл бұрын

Hey there man! I wouldn't be the best person to ask about synthetic reeds. I've only used real cane reeds all my life. I've heard people have some success with those and I've also heard people say they pale in comparison to actual cane. As far as a reed trimmer... they can be used to clip the tip of a soft reed to give it a bit more resistance... or if it's almost dead bring it back for a short time. I have one... however I don't use it much!

I use a D’addario Select Jazz Filed 2H,3S. There's no big reason I choose the Filed Cut, it's simply because the Unfiled Cut I bought previously did not fit my mouthpiece. The thickness of the heel of the reed varied a lot, and the thick ones were hard to set (I use an Otto Link Metal with a Selmer 404 lig). The Filed Cut seemed to be more accurate, so I use them. By the way, I really like your sound! The reason I choose Select Jazz is because my favorite Tenor players (Chris Potter, Eric Alexander…) uses it, and now I have a new reason. "Because Stantawn Kendrick uses it!" Thank you for the Video, I enjoy all of them :)

@StantawnKendrick

8 жыл бұрын

man I appreciate your comments man! Wow being linked to Potter and Alexander lol that's heavy lol. I've met both of those guys and they are cool and down to earth. You'd be amazed how cool they are when they play as well as they do lol! Thanks for watching man!

I have not been playing Saxophone that long and didn't know you can buy filed reeds . All I know is I been having a trouble with finding good reeds. I will find 2 real good reeds out of s box of 10 of them. I play a medium La Voz. Any suggestions Stantawn? I play a Selmer Omega Alto

thanks

To Stantawn Kendrick: Sax Reeds are not made of Bamboo but rather of "Reed Grass" that originally grows in the Mediterranean.

What do you think about synthetic reed? Thank you.

Just subscribed

I never heard much difference. Usually buy filed 'cause they give me a consistent reference for ligature alignment...

I jump between Vandoren blues and Zz's. I play with guys who swear by both filed and unfiled. Really it's up to the player to decide what's best for them. Whatever Reed gives you the sound and response you want is what you should play on

@StantawnKendrick

7 жыл бұрын

agreed 100%

@tschupa

7 жыл бұрын

Skyparrot1999

I live in Nicaragua. I have to order my rEEds from far away, so it´s like a Lucky LoTTery! Do you ever do scraping & sanding&stuff? Man, the things I´ve done , and Do; to stretch the life of my rEEds are weird!> Thanks!>

@StantawnKendrick

7 жыл бұрын

Nah I neeeeveer do those things. I pretty much just try to make a reed work. If it doesn't I don't bother with it lol. I used to do those things but not anymore.

Yeah , it’s the player (more than anything else) that effects the sound (bright vs dark) of the reed. I think Reeds vary too much to begin with

Would you maybe say that an unfiled reeds are clearer? Besides, I notice that the Vandoren "jazz" reeds are almost all unfiled.

@StantawnKendrick

4 жыл бұрын

hmmmm clearer? I honestly don't think so. If I'd say there was any noticeable difference it would be how it feels to the player more so than how it sounds to the listener

What ever reed you were using in the beginning and the end of the video sounded perfect to me! You got a good sound and honestly I have struggled with that same question about the reeds for some time now, and i play Vandoren reeds so most of them are filed. I agree with you 110% about it doesn't matter strictly on whether its filed or not, and that the thing about the response. I actually found the reed and mouthpiece set up i am thinking of sticking with!But i had the hardest time because the filed reeds seemed BUZZY to me and thin if i pushed them to hard. I don't know if it was just me, embouchure, maybe my horn, or possibly my air support.... but for me it was the unfiled reeds and i have tried so many types and different boxes of reeds. So my conclusion was that UNFILED reeds seemed to have a more tamer sound (or at least tamer then the the buzzy ones) and even seemed to be just a little bit more sweeter sounding to my ear. But everyones different Thanks again for the videos and looking forward to more! Jo

@StantawnKendrick

8 жыл бұрын

Jo Ornat I tend to be coming to a similar conclusion. But it's still subjective to me until I find that conclusion to be factual. I have found more often than not, the unfiled reed is just a tad more "round" sounding to me. Maybe my feeling of "round" is your feeling of "tame". Probably the same feeling. But I also have had thinner sounding unfiled reeds too lol. Actually in the clip of me playing it's the same reed no change at all in between lol. I just cut it in the middle to put some commentary lol. Thanks for watching bro!

@StantawnKendrick

8 жыл бұрын

Jo Ornat and also what's funny is I just looked and I was using a filed reed in this video loooool! Should have tried an unfiled reed too here so I could hear the difference and others could comment on what they heard

@xArticle15x

8 жыл бұрын

Yeah that would have been good, but you sounded great on the reed you were using! What reed are you using in the video? And did you ever have your Florida Link worked on or did you keep it original? Lastly, whats the tip on it? Because i have been sorta testing old theories of Gordon and Coltrane to see if they are consistant and check certain combos of reed strength with tip openings! Thanks again Jo

@StantawnKendrick

8 жыл бұрын

Jo Ornat my link is an original 7* FL Link never worked on. I had considered getting it refaced but decided against that lol. I'm not sure about what Link Dex was using when he was using a link. I think it was FL though and not double ring. Coltrane is a bit difficult to track down. It is a documented fact he constantly had materials inserted in his mouthpiece... he's had some of them worked on and he's played several different pieces, Tone masters, FL links, double ring links etc. No one really knows what reeds he used. But Trane is Trane lol... he has a signature sound all the time... so does Dexter

@xArticle15x

8 жыл бұрын

Vary true, but there has always been that sorta standard that if you play a medium tip mouthpiece (7 or 7* or 8) your suppose to play a medium to hard reed (3 or 3.5), well i just have been experimenting because Dexter used a few mouthpieces like Coltrane. And some makers like RS Berkley made exact copies of both or their known mouthpieces. But back in the day (40's 50's) Link made 3 and 4 tip opening as a sorta standard and the greats still kept a round fat sound on such a small tip! So i have been going around to all my collector buddies and trying out vintage reeds with those original 40's links and just have backed up that it doesn't matter the tip to reed combo to get the exact sound, it comes from the player. And to finally get to the point is that your sound is so rich and full that it just proves that you dont need the fancy mouthpieces or the insanely open mouthpieces with soft reeds or visa versa. Just comes down to pure talent and skill

Hey man you mind telling me what you're playing in the intro? I hear bits of a recording of Goodbye Pork Pie Hat; however, there's something else to what you're playing.

@StantawnKendrick

7 жыл бұрын

Hey man I just had to look back lol... it's Body and Soul actually ;)

@emmanuelfernandes8316

7 жыл бұрын

Stantawn Kendrick definitely hear that now just recognized a few licks from that Mingus tune. Great playing as usual!

I'm generally pretty skeptical about marketing claims, but in my experience filed reeds actually have tended to be a bit less resistant and more free blowing than the unfiled reeds I've tried. I've been playing Rico Royals for a long time, so I feel more comfortable playing filed reeds at this point. Other players might prefer a bit more resistance in their setup. We're all different and that's what makes this instrument so fascinating.

@StantawnKendrick

8 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment man. And yes that's what makes it such and amazing instrument. No 2 people will sound the same or respond the same to the same equipment lol

@DianeandDick

8 жыл бұрын

On my tenor sax, I've used Rico Royals, #2s, also. They are pretty consistent and give me a nice clean, smooth sound. Lately, I've been happily trying out the Harry Hartmann "Natural Classic" Fiberreeds (maroon package). I use MS (Medium Soft). I get no buzz like I do from other plastic-type reeds. I like the old, darker, sound (horn is a 1959 Mark VI).

What has worked for you storing your reeds ?

@StantawnKendrick

4 жыл бұрын

that will come in a future video :)

The whole reed thing is all over the place imo.......I have considered using synthetic reeds but at this time that is entirely out of the question......

@StantawnKendrick

4 жыл бұрын

I'd recommend real cane any day :)

On the Daddarios website they have a blog with what reed goes best with which mouthpiece, here's a link ricoreeds.blogspot.com/2009/03/filed-vs-unfiled.html?m=1

@StantawnKendrick

8 жыл бұрын

thanks for sharing. yup just checked it out and like I thought... they akin filed reeds to "brighter/quick response" and unfiled to "darker/more resistant"... it's very interesting because like I said in this video... I've played both cuts and I've had them swap their described adjectives at times. Box to box reed to reed. Just yesterday to be exact I played one of my unfiled Jazz Selects and it was noticeably brighter than another filed reed I played right after. On other occasions the opposite has been true

do you have a band ?

hi I live in Cogolin south of France. my neighbor is Rigotti reeds factory. I'll send u vids about reed making.

@StantawnKendrick

7 жыл бұрын

cool! Yeah I've used those before too as well. Quality reeds

@nevillebonner6244

4 жыл бұрын

I switched from Zz’s to those

Rees

Can you "file" an unfield reed?

That's always been a problem to me. Iv'e tried both kinds and find not too much difference

@StantawnKendrick

7 жыл бұрын

agreed. I just got 2 boxes of unfiled after using 2 boxes of filed... and I really can't tell a difference

The only tool you need for making most reeds work is the ReedFile! www.reedfile.com.

It is not bamboo!

@StantawnKendrick

8 жыл бұрын

Cane...

stop over-exposing your videos

Keep moving forward 😘😘😘😘

I have never been able to successfully adjust a reed. I always make them worse. The only thing I've ever been able to do is burn off the tip of a reed that's too soft to make it play right. I'm currently playing Ammoon chinese reeds. They cost about 30 cents apiece and play about the same as rico standard reeds, though the quality control could be better. There's no reason why reeds should be 20 bucks a box. That's branding bullshit.