Buying a Good Saxophone Reed: Tips and Recommendations

Reeds are essential tools for wind instruments. If it were not for these uniquely filed bits of cane, our instruments would be mere statues without the ability to make any sound. But as an instrumentalist, how do you know which one to choose? For many musicians it has been a trial and error experience. In addition that that experimentation, there may be various reeds we musicians use for different occasions. For example, I play the saxophone and have for the past 14 years, and depending if I have to play at a recital or a gig will dictate what sax reed I use. So for you beginning sax players out there or for those of you who have been playing for years, here's a list I have compiled of reed reviews that include some of my favorites.

Hemke: These reeds are by far my favorite. I love to play the blues, jazz, and various other pop genres. Hemke allows me to get this nice, velvety professional sound. If you're a beginner and want to learn, say the blues, then you may want to try a lower density Hemke. Hemke reeds have density scales that range from 2.0 - 4.0 with the 2 being the softest, so that is what I would recommend to beginning sax players. Not only will this allow you to strengthen your embouchure, it's encouraging to hear that great sound coming out while you're developing your talents! I play with Hemkes constantly and now play with a 3 to 3.5, but began with a 2. If you have a more rounded mouthpiece on your saxophone, then the Hemke reed is a good choice as it allows you to gain easier access to your lower tones with more clarity. Definitely a favorite among musicians. These reeds are a little pricey, ranging from $7 - $14 a box of 5, but well worth the cost because they last longer if you care for them properly. I would also recommend buying a reed keeper, as they will store your reeds and retain their shape without splitting them!

La Voz: La Voz reeds are especially good for jazz instrumentalists because these reeds are unfiled, allowing for maximum versatility of the air that goes through your horn. I have tried La Voz, and personally, La Voz is not my up there on my favorites but they could be on yours. I like reeds that allow my air to easily flow through my horn and La Voz does not allow me personally to do this. However, there are many musicians who like La Voz. If you are studying jazz then you may want to try these reeds. I love producing vibrato and La Voz reeds make it difficult for me to do that, however, if you hear a saxophonist playing jazz, there is little vibrato in that genre. So if you're a jazz player, you may like these reeds.

Rico: Rico reeds are probably the most widely used as they are recommended for beginning instrumentalists and many professionals retain their use. I notice that Ricos are great for beginning students, but once you get your embouchure strengthened, I would recommend at this point trying a different brand of reeds depending on your interests. The pros of Rico reeds are their economy. You can buy say three reeds for about $6 and that's a great price. So your choice here would depend on your finances and your willingness to pursue your instrument. If you are a beginning player and are not sure whether you are going to have a lasting relationship with your saxophone, then try these reeds, they are great for those of you just starting in the music world. Again, you will want to begin with a lower density reed to allow easier air flow go through your sax.

Rico Royal: Now, while I am not a huge fan of regular Rico reeds, I adore Rico Royal and they come second in my must haves. One of my favorite saxophonists, Bill Holloman, plays with these reeds and it was because of him that I began using these. They allow for high versatility and are French filed from cane. When I first heard Bill play I just had to know what reeds he used and after a few years after seeing him on Austin City Limits, I finally met him! He and I corresponded through email quite a bit and I learned so much from this man. Rico Royals allow you to be more expressive in your playing while retaining that rich vibrant tone that only a saxophone can create. This reed is designed for the intermediate to advanced players and is more economical than Hemke reeds. So I would recommend this reed for those who have been playing sax a while, but haven't experimented much with the reeds. If you haven't used this reed yet, try it. You may be surprised at the tone you get.

Vandoren: Vandoren reeds are very thin and so it allows for a sound that is highly desired in classical music. I am classically train, and so my instructor advised me to switch from Hemke to Vandoren only for my classical pieces and she was right. I noticed a big difference right away. A word of caution though, when I started out on the size 2 Vandoren I thought my lips were going to explode. It takes some time to get your embouchure adjusted to this reed because it is a hard reed to play through. You will get used to it and you will produce a beautiful tone that will make your classical training and playing more enjoyable. Price ranges from about $14.00 - $20.00 per box of 5 reeds. These reeds will last you though because of the way they are cut, so the expense is well worth your investment.

Plastic reeds: Around the middle 1990s, plastic reeds were the rage for instrumentalists. I tried plastic reeds and found while they retain their usability, they are not practical. They make a sound that does not flatter your sax tone and are a bit pricey. The only positive on this one is that they do not split like traditional cane reeds.

No matter your choice, choose a reed that will not only last you through proper care, but one that will allow you to create your own tone on your instrument. You will probably use different reeds if you play an alto saxophone and tenor saxophone so it really depends on the style and tone you want to create. You will notice that your choice or reeds can make a big difference in your playing experience!