Thanks for video. Just a hobbyists but tone edge 5* with rigotti jazz 2.5 medium on alto and tone edge 7 with rigotti jazz 2.5 medium on tenor gives me a sound i am happy with. I just play for my own pleasure so nobody to please but me. I presume everyone has their own ideas and aspirations.

For many years I believed the myth that using a reed of a harder strength means you are a better saxophone player. One day, my friend (who has much more money than I do), stopped by with a gallon plastic bag full of all sorts of brands of reeds for tenor that she had tried out and decided weren't for her (we're talking about $400 of reeds here). What a gift! I tried each brand and size out one-by-one with my Jody Jazz Custom Dark 8* for my tenor. I have become pretty good using a Reed Geek to work on my reeds and realized that I prefer softer 3's with a little Reed Geek work on them to make them more consistent (although I find D'Addario to be more consistent than most brands) . Ultimately, I ended up preferring D'Addario Select Jazz Filed reeds in a 3S and manipulating them with the Reed Geek when needed. Musicians in the two jazz bands I play in keep commenting on my gorgeous dark sound so I guess I have found the right set up for me as that kind of sound is my preference!

A fundamental absolute needs attention, too: Reed strength is not of varying thickness of reed, but bamboo density, same thickness of wood. And if you take two hardwood blocks, say lignum vitae, and bang them together, you will get a better sound than from two soft wood blocks. This may be marginal, and it is hard to measure. But, in my progression, every time I ventured back down, to a softer reed, my music brain said, "No way!" And made me go back onto a harder reed I ended up on Hemke 4.0 and a Rico 9* on both Baritone and Tenor. Nobody should be frightened of working hard blowing. Air column strength is your best friend on Saxophone, but harder reeds do produce a better sound: That is physics, and unalterable. I do like your Channel, you seem more honest than many on You Tube, you must be German!

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Hi Chris, thanks for your comment, you definitely got me there with the thickness of the reed! I did some research on it and it's very hard to find information that validates what you said. But after texting with Jack from the BSS, it seems indeed like the numbering of reeds is not related to the thickness but the flexibility. Seems like a very common misconception. I do understand your analogy with two blocks of wood too, though I'd point out that it is only to a part transferable to the sound production of the saxophone since there are many more factors at play. I'd also advise for any saxophone player who is not very, very experienced to be highly cautious of blowing hard, this can be very counterproductive (and bad for your health even). And there are so many examples of saxophonists with a great sound and a medium setup (or even a soft setup like Joe Henderson), that I don't see any need to make the life of saxophonists unnecessarily hard.

@hezigler

Жыл бұрын

IMHO, it comes down to loving your tone. If you really have your embouchure together, the reed strength that gives you the tone you love is what you want. Assuming you're together with everything else.

@owennovenski4794

Жыл бұрын

Too simplistic of a reply. Teeth configuration, lips and oral cavity all play a role. A crucial role. Mouthpiece actual physical size, shape and material (metal, etc.)ALONG with tip opening and appropriate corresponding reed are relevant to the former. It’s all an experiment that is continually in a state of flux. Coming to an absolute conclusion is superfluous.

@jazzman_10

5 ай бұрын

u are rid strenghs not really having anything to do with thikness but I am not so sure about the hard woods analogy. Take into account that the buzz that comes out of the reed is due to the vibration of the tip, not by hitting it with any other object in which case I would agre with you on a better tone ptoduction. So if it comes down to vibration it is a matter of frecuency and a harder reed will counter-intuively vibrate MORE than a soft reedwhich, for some reason I cannot explain, makes high notes come out easily and the other way round with softer reeds. IMO it makes a lot of sense if someone plays a slightly softer reed on tenor than in alto bacause you are enhancing the lower register which is what makes the difference between those two instruments, unless playing altissimo on the tenos gets to be a pain and you prefer to loose some of the overall rich fattiness overall to improve that higher register. The latter does not make too much sense, I would just go play an alto...

Thank you ❤❤❤

Excellent suggestions! :)

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

thanks Nick, glad you enjoyed the video!

By the way, synthetic reeds changes all the equation you mentioned: i can play very excellent, stable and effortless altissimo with my soft °2 synthetic reeds. So their functionally already surpasses the natural cane reeds because theyre really balanced now. I think they are here to stay already.

@eugeniaavilava584

8 ай бұрын

What brand do you use please ?

@saxombie8614

8 ай бұрын

@@eugeniaavilava584 I'm using ones that are made in my country (Argentina) called "G-Reeds". They're pretty good and cheap too.

Thank you Thomas, today was one of these days. I was kind of frustated and blaming mostly me, but at least have of it was the reed!

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Hi Anton, yeah, I do know your pain ;)

tnx for the tips

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome Eric!

Thomas, Giving more thought to reed strength, and having recently taken a small backwards step on Baritone from a baffled Rico 9 with 4.00 reed, I have gone to another Baritone MP, unknown tip, but I feel a little smaller, I have finally found my perfect set-up, and it is clearly smoother. New MP has no baffle, unlike previous Rico. Now I understand a perfect set-up, I realise my baffled Tenor 9/4 is not perfect either, but I know where I am heading now. I am much more open minded on this subject than before your input. From a slightly softer Baritone set-up, I better realise now your caveats about having to blow too hard, and music is coming easier. Thanks! You have helped me a lot

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Hi Chris, thanks for your comment, I’m glad you made this discovery for yourself! :)

@CodexHtml-im1ie

9 ай бұрын

I meant my mouthpiece

I currently play a 5* tone edge with La Voz Medium reeds, i find this gives me a great balance of ease with low and high notes

Great topic !!! GS•Reso 7 tenor with Java Red 2.5 on my MKVI five digit ( 1955 ) 👌

great video! greetings from Germany!

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Thanks David! Greetings back from Germany (Berlin) ;)

Thanks for the video, I really needed something like this, I've been playing for 5 moths with a 7* opening mouth piece and with a number 2 reed and lately I feel like I could give have much more sound, I'm talking about the beauty of the sound it self but more about the mass of sound I can produce, with such a soft reed I truly feel limitated even tough I really like the sound that I have I think is about time to change my reed, this video is the thing that I needed to convince my self, thanks

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Hi Thomas, I’m glad the video helped! :) enjoy your new life with 2,5 reeds

@felipemendozar

7 ай бұрын

How is it going? I've tried but it feels terribly hard.

@thomasbadocchi3008

7 ай бұрын

@@felipemendozar it's going great I trully needed to change now I have reed that makes me feel much more comfortable and is helping me develop a better sound

Yes. In college, as a Classical clarinetist, there was a kind of macho one-upsmanship going on as far as who played number 5 reeds. Harder reeds do give you more precise articulation, but hard work in continuing. I presently play 2 reeds on both clarinet and sax. Not playing classical music any longer, but enjoying playing and studying jazz. The horns don't resist me much any longer! ;-)

Are use a size 7 mouthpiece on tenor and a 4 soft reed. I usually think that I reed is pretty stiff but honestly some of them come out the box something like paper they are so thin feeling. Good ol D’Addario

I make use of a 2 and 3 reed size Not sure of my ligature though But having issues playing high notes mostly in D when moving to the next octave

Tenor GS Reso FG 7* 2,5, Alto WCW select 0,80 2,5 both with BSS-Reeds.

I've been frustrated with mouthpiece numbers not being consistent across brands. Why do we use arbitrary numbers to represent tip openings rather than an actual measurement in inches or mm? For example, an Otto Link 7 is not the same tip opening as an Otto link Florida 7. In my opinion, I think it is best to know your actual tip opening, my most comfortable being 0.100 inches (or 2.54mm). I find reed hardness is also not consistent across brands of reeds. A #3 can vary widely between Rico, Vandoren, LaVoz, and every other manufacturer of reeds.

I play my tenor with Otto Link 6* NY and Rico Royal 3

I’m on a legere 2.25 right now, and it felt a little too soft (tone started to feel hollow and thin, but I could always play decent altissimo on it too) so I tried out their 2.5. It was like a whole other world, I was constantly running out of breath and I felt like I was biting. I had to return it, I couldn’t play anywhere near as soft as I wanted or as high as I wanted (I couldn’t get past an altissimo G#, despite having altissimo d consistent for a while). I’m back to the 2.25, and still feel like I want to play on a harder reed, but not as hard as the 2.5. Any suggestions?

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Hi Benjamin, which mouthpiece and tip opening are you currently playing?

I recently got an Ottolink New York metal #8. I was doubtful, but I have been happy with it. A new 2.5 Vandoren is a little tough at first while very used #3s are easy to use. It is a moving target it seems. I am going to try a synthetic reed based on all of the favorable reviews. If the reed could be as constant as a tip opening, tgat target would stop moving.

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Hi Josh, unfortunately the synthetic reeds are also not constant in the long run, they slowly lose their strength too. But definitely more stable than natural reeds :)

@joshcharlat850

Жыл бұрын

@@ThomasHaehnlein Thank you. That is important to know.

I just found out your channel and would like to ask you a question that nobody has ever been able to answer with true knowledge, icluding Chad LB himself. I play a Jody Jazz HR 8* with a 2.25 legere American Cut or 2.5 on regular reeds. When I play I blow at 80% of the total volume I can play and it sounds loud enough if I am playing with other accoustic instruments, but I cannot play much louder so I end up taking a microphone pretty much everywhere otherwise I cannot come through. I have heard that Joe Henderson had the same issue but I do not know why and how to improve my projection. Here it is not a matter of the quality of the sound, which I am comfortable whith, but of quantity. Any thoughts?

@ThomasHaehnlein

5 ай бұрын

Hey, about Joe Henderson: He had a mouthpiece with very narrow tip opening and very soft reeds and on a setup like this, you can't project too much. As far as I know he usually played with a microphone. But your setup sounds fine. You could think about getting a brighter mouthpiece with a baffle since that makes it easier to cut through (I don't know your mouthpiece very well though so I don't know how bright it might be already). Working on your breathing technique can help to increase the volume you can get from the mouthpiece too

@jazzman_10

5 ай бұрын

​@@ThomasHaehnlein My secondary mouthpiece has a narrow chamber with a step baffle, it sounds a bit more but the difference is not that great... Thanks for answering!

I had the thickness = strength misconception too for long time, until i needed 2 1/4 reeds so i directly talk to my local reeds manufacturer (Gonzalez Reeds, im on Argentina) if he can make a box of "thinnered" 2 1/2s for me then he teach me that it's not how its done: all reeds are cut the same size and then flexibility check with a special machine, one by one. I think part of the misconception cames from, besides the pure ignorance, the way we can customize or fix our own reeds by sanding. So we told to ourselves: if i can sand it and it becomes softer, then strength = thickness, which is in fact partially true. So we made ourselves partially right. heh

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Interesting! I played Gonzales reeds for a while too. I also thought that the idea about thinner and thicker reeds might come from times when people built their own reeds. Then you’d manipulate the reed strength by changing the thickness, just as you mentioned we still do when we don’t like a reed

I play on a mp with .112 opening. That’s somewhere between 8 and 8* opening. The reeds I use is 2soft by D’addario Select jazz. So quite soft reeds.. but pretty big opening I guess… I like my tone and it’s quite even in all registers. But I still struggle a bit in the low register. I need at least 15 minutes warm up to be able to play the lowest register. But after practicing a lot in the low register a lot I think I start to get control and a sound I like… thinkin about trying some smaller tip openings. What do you think?

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Hi Mats, yeah I know your struggle with the low notes very well, I’ve struggled with them myself for a long time. I’m actually planning to make a video about how to fix that. Did you check that your saxophone keys are sealing properly? Sometimes the issues with low notes come just from that. Trying a different mouthpiece can help too, there can be big differences between mouthpieces when it comes to the lower notes

@matsmanteatern698

Жыл бұрын

@@ThomasHaehnlein Hi Thomas, yes my horn is sealing properly. I leave it to a pro technician every year more or less. But You’re right, sometimes it’s even harder with the low notes and it’s caused by small leaks! Wonder if a 7* mp would make it easier? But it’s also a question of practicing I think. If I put in the work I get good control and sound all the way down. Dr. Wally Wallace on “ The saxophone Academy” with his “ exercise Zero” is a good one for low notes!

I switch few years ago from 9* tip opening and Vandoren java green reeds nr 3,5 to 8 and 2,5 reeds, much better!

Meyer 5M with most 3s or medium reeds on alto.

I play with classic Vandoren blue 3 reeds with a Selmer S80 C* mouthpiece (On a YAS-62)

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

A classical saxophone player then! :)

@biz-learning

Жыл бұрын

@@ThomasHaehnlein just a beginner... with a second hand sax ;-)

I play 2.5 or 3 (depending on the brand) on my alto Otto Link Tone Edge 7 (but I opened it up, so it is more like an 8). On Soprano I play 3.5 Vandoren (blue box?) or D'Addario Plasti-cover on a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece.

@thomasjoe5594

Жыл бұрын

I have otto link 8, for alto saxophone. I use 2.5 Rico reeds, but that is harder, 2 is sometimes not perfect also. Can you suggest me another brand reed which will be suitable with otto link super tone 8 mouthpiece for alto saxophone

@robstevens9590

Жыл бұрын

@@thomasjoe5594 I never played on a Otto Link Tone Master, but if the Rico 2.5 is too hard I suggest trying Hemke 2.5 or Vandoren Red Box 2.5.

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Hi Thomas, you could try a Daddario select jazz 2 soft reed, this should be a bit under the 2,5. If it should be possible for you, it might be also a good idea to go down to a 7* or 7 tip opening. It would make the 2,5 quite a bit easier to play

@thomasjoe5594

Жыл бұрын

@Rob Stevens Thank you.

@thomasjoe5594

Жыл бұрын

@Thomas SAX It would be difficult to bring down the mouthpiece as it is very costly. I think I will try with 2 soft reed as you told. Does softer reeds make us a less player?

Typical number of reeds to have on the go at any one time, and when to retire a reed? Any thoughts on synthetic reeds?

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Hi Silacai, there's unfortunately no definite answer to your questions. Having several reeds available is definitely a good thing, I usually have a reed case with 8 reeds with me. When a read is worn out can vary quite a bit, but usually if you've played your reed for let's say 2 weeks everyday for 30min, it's time for a new one. I tried synthetic reeds a long time ago and was not really satisfied, but I would imagine they improved a lot. On the clarinet they can be great for students since they offer more stability, on the saxophone I don't have any experience with that so far. I'd say if it works for you, why not. It's just a challenge to realize when to change the synthetic reed since they go softer and softer very slowly.

@BsktImp

Жыл бұрын

@@ThomasHaehnlein Thanks. I've only ever played on natural reeds so was just interested in your thoughts on synthetics if you had tried them. Thanks again.

JD Allen plays a size 10 mouthpiece and a 1 Rico reed!! A size 1!!! 🤯🤯🤯

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Oh that’s interesting! I heard that Hank Mobley might’ve used a similar setup: big mouthpiece with a very soft reed. Although I think it wasn’t a 1 :D

I`m using a Francois louis Sphere Chamber that is like a 10- 10* with a 2.5 strong Rigotti reed on tenor, alto and baritone. but I`m wanting to take it easy and get some new mpc, I`m getting old hahaha

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

aaah isn't that the mouthpiece that Joe Lovano is using too? Or is it another Francois Louis model? I also thought about trying Francois Louis again!

@QuevedoSax

Жыл бұрын

@@ThomasHaehnlein you`re right! I think it`s the same chamber but Lovano`s got a handmade one. mine is a signature model that means it is the same factory mpc but final inspected by FL. I think this make a HUGE difference! played on some ground chamber that wasn`t signature model and didn`t quite enjoy as much

I use a Selmer Soloist D (.083 or 2.1 mm) on my tenor with 2.75- 3.25 Legere Signature, depending on the day. I've been taking lessons for a little over a year as an adult.

@MarkPeotter

Жыл бұрын

If you haven't tried already, please also try playing on cane reeds. Get a variety of brands in the same strength area as you LeGere reeds. Play each reed for 2 weeks. The cane reeds will give you a better education and more experience. 😊

@rat4spd

Жыл бұрын

@@MarkPeotter I dabble occasionally with them. I like the warmth of cane compared to synthetic, however they are much less forgiving with the heavy-handed tonguing I can be prone to do.

What is the best saxophone reed brand

@ThomasHaehnlein

Ай бұрын

Hmm it depends of course on your mouthpiece and your preferences, but I use Vandoren since many years and find them to be very consistent (much more than D’addario f.e.)

As a beginner, how long does it take to upgrade my reeds? About 4-6 months? More?

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Hi Guilherme, you mean the time from when you first begin to play the saxophone to when you can switch to harder reeds? If so, this depends but usually on alto, you don’t have to worry too much about it - you can change to 2.5 quite early on, especially as an adult. I’d just be a bit more cautious when it’s about younger students that are 10 or so, then it can be better to stay with a nr. 2 reed for longer

@guilhermestudartci1384

Жыл бұрын

@@ThomasHaehnlein Perfect! Thank you so much for your attention. Regards!

5* 2.5

I’m playing a 6 opening on a vandoren alto MP with a 2.0 legere American cut synthetic reed. And my mouth gets tired after 1 hour of playing.

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Hi Daniel, this sounds like you might use more tension in your embouchure than you need! You can find tips on how to relax your embouchure in other videos on my channel. Just know that this can take some time, it's usually not something we're able to change overnight.

My reeds are all kinds of whack: I use 4 Clarinet V12 reeds on my soprano sax with an s90 180 tip 3-2.5 on alto with a Brilhart 5* (modern 6) 2 on tenor with a 8* Bss R series 2.5 with v16 7* for bari Strenght 3 1/2 + to 4 for Clarinet with a BD5 strength 2-2.5 for bass clarinet with a B45 Not a single setup is consistent between horns

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Interesting setups, especially with the clarinet reed on the soprano!

These tip openings and reed strengths are not really "standard" big top opening/softer reed I've played a 7 mouthpiece with a 2 reed for years on Alto & Tenor and it works well for me. 😎

i play a 3reed on a 7 mouth piece

If I had a JodyJazzHR* Custom I know it would help me sound better!

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Hi Carmen, what mouthpiece are you currently playing?

@carmencurto9939

Жыл бұрын

@@ThomasHaehnlein Hi Tom, I went from a 4c to a Jody Kazz 7m and a 3 Rigotti

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Sounds good! I mean a regular Jody Jazz should be already a pretty decent mouthpiece :)

I play a 8* with Rigotti 3 Hard

CORRECTION: the reed strength is not determined by the thickness of the reed, but the flexibility! Thanks to a friendly user for pointing that out. Which reed strength and mouthpiece tip opening are you currently playing? Let me know down here!

@wisconsinmel

Жыл бұрын

6 3 Light Rigotti

@somebody9033

Жыл бұрын

on Baritone, Rico M9, tip opening 3.048mm (.115"). Vandoren 2 1/2 reeds.

This video is nonsense. Harder reeds are NOT thicker than softer reeds. All reeds of a given style and brand are cut exactly the same on the same machines. The strength rating is applied after the reed is cut, by testing it on a deflection machine. The rest of the information basically amounts to “use a medium strength reed on a medium mouthpiece”. Which, while generally good advice, is not very helpful. I will not be subscribing to this channel.

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Hi Steve, you are absolutely right about the reed strength, I indeed had this wrong and another commenter already pointed that out. Apparently a very common misbelief, even among pros. However, since there are in my experience a lot of saxophone players out there that are not aware of the downsides a very hard or very soft setup brings, I do not agree with you that this video is not needed. There is a reason why Chris Potter and Dave Liebman also considered it an important enough topic to address it. Maybe you’ll find other videos on my channel more interesting that go more in-depth on different topics.

@chrismills5110

Жыл бұрын

This guy Keller should give up Saxophone, I don't feel he has sufficient respect to master one

the reeds are not thicker, all the same. Its about the bending the reeds that clasify its strength

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Hi Joris, you’re right about this, I’ve also corrected it in the description of the video

Reed strength is determined by STIFFNESS not thickness. Just look at them! Tough way to start the video.

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Hi Lukas, you’re right about it! I’ve already corrected it in the description of the video after some other people commented on it

The video has good intentions but I’m not really happy with you spreading misinformation about what reed strength is. Higher = thicker is a myth that has been debunked ages ago, and people should really stop bringing it up. Reed strength is measured during manufacturing using a device that applies pressure to a reed, measuring how flexible it is. Flexibility is a characteristic determined by the density of the reed which can vary depending on the harvest. All reeds of the same brand should have similar dimensions and thickness. Lower strength reeds are more flexible and less dense, but not necessarily thinner.

@ThomasHaehnlein

Жыл бұрын

Hi Jewells, thanks for your comment, you’re right about the reed strength, other users pointed that out too (I’ve corrected myself in the description of the video).

@Jwellsuhhuh

Жыл бұрын

@@ThomasHaehnlein oh I see! that's great. keep making content!