Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. They tend to play like a lower thickness reed from competing brands which makes it easier for beginners to make music on. They are more flexible, literally! Reeds need to be carefully constructed from a high-quality cane. Getting a good one in the bunch is always great but the percentage of these reeds that are of decent quality is really not a gamble that most musicians will want to take. However, they’re more fragile than pricier reeds meaning that they won’t last as long and you may end up spending more in the long run based on how quickly these crack. These don’t need to be broken in as they’re pre-conditioned and you get a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Reed … The traditional reeds are available in the strengths 1.5 to 5.0, so they can work for everyone from children that are learning to play to professionals. There are a lot of questions to ask about yourself as an alto sax player and about the reeds in general in order to pick the best reeds for you. Tighten the ligature so the reed doesn’t move but be careful not to over tighten as that can restrict vibration and damage the reed. Rico is a reputable name that is known for high construction quality, improved durability and fair rates. They aren’t great for more advanced woodwind musicians but ideal for first-year students. These are the best all-around reeds on the market. It’s an affordable way to make your sound instantly better! The tone and resistance of your saxophone is affected by various reeds and how they are cut. Having a wide variety of tones and playing situations, the Rico Tenor … I think they’re well worth it! Goloho reeds are an affordable reed option for beginners of a decent quality. Match your reed to the best-fitting ligature that you have and get plenty of practice with a new strength or material of reed … The quality isn’t quite the same as Vandoren reeds but Rico is a decent quality beginner’s reed. These reeds … Lazarro AR-L-1.5 Alto Saxophone Sax Reeds Size 1.5, Strength 1 1/2, Box of 10 - All Sizes Available It’s usually printed on the back of the reed toward the bottom. More advanced players may … They produce good quality sounds and some say they would never go back to cane reeds while others use a mix of this reed and cane reeds for different purposes. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. 2. These are seen in most band rooms and will be one of the most highly recommended reed brands for students. A majority are in love with these long-lasting reeds. Not everyone can get used to the differences with plastic reeds but many who do, swear by them. But they’re … YAMAHA YAS-280 Student Alto saxophones. Some reeds are great just about every time while others require you to take the good the with bad. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. They have a really thin tip but a thick heart, which means that they are very responsive but still give you a clear, steady tone. I thought I’d just mention it so that you can be aware that if you buy them it can be good to keep track of how many good ones you get in a box. Using the right reeds is just as important as having the right saxophone and mouthpiece. They’re the best reeds for beginners due to the durability and price. Are you a fan of Frederick L. Hemke? These are the best jazz reeds for alto sax and come at a pretty middle of the road price. Even though it might seem like it’s just a piece of cane, there is much more science to it than that. 10 Best Alto Sax Reeds for Beginner in 2020 - windysounds.com Sometimes cheap reeds make their way into the trash faster due to fragility and inconsistent quality. It’s much better to buy 10 at a time because if you only buy 3, they’re over $4 each, which is really expensive. Many people believe that the strength has to do with the thickness of the reed, however, this is not the case. They are available in strengths 2.0 to 4.5. The reason why they are so good is that D’addario, who owns Rico nowadays, are very particular about how they’re made. If you’re looking for your very first reeds, these are a great option! This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Rico reeds are an affordable place to get started. The Fever beginner student alto sax is another solid beginner bundle. These cookies do not store any personal information. The Hemke reeds have a shorter vamp for a darker tone. While the reeds are still a little over $2 per reed, these are worth the premium. If you love playing jazz, you want reeds that are specifically designed for that genre. This can depend on a lot of different things, but most of them have to do with the manufacturing process. Maybe you’re looking for a great beginner’s model for yourself, a family member, or a student. The reeds are sold in packs of 10 and cost about $2.90 per reed. This means that the low register sounds amazing and the low notes sound clearer than usual. The only thing that causes hesitation is that the reeds aren’t individually wrapped which means they are more prone to getting warped prior to use. This is yet more proof that shows how versatile they are and that they work well for most saxophonists. What reed should I get? Rico Royal are reeds that I’ve been using for many years. Vandoren has been making reeds since 1905, so they know exactly what they’re doing! I particularly like his album Simple Gifts, it’s absolutely wonderful! Jazz, rock, classical music- everything goes! They’re relatively consistent and mid-priced. They are cheaper than some of the other higher quality reed options but offer similar tonal quality. If you get a box of 10, they’re only around $3 per reed, which I personally think is a pretty good price considering that they are much better than cheap options. These 10 options include some of the best alto sax reeds so it’s a great place to get started if you’re unsure or just looking to try some new ones. Even if cheap reeds can cost half of what good ones do, I and many other saxophonists would say that it’s worth it buying the good stuff. Vandoren’s Green Java reeds are their original jazz reeds that have been around since 1983. These reeds are relatively consistent and are of a quality that most musicians are happy with. This reed is designed to produce a quality of extremely … If you buy 10, they’re about $2.50 each. They don’t produce the best quality sound so aren’t ideal for more advanced sax players but they’re a fine product for beginners on a budget. There are still a decent number of people who find the response and sound on these isn’t the same as what they’re getting from a traditional cane reed. Copyright © 2020 WindySounds. I’d say that any jazz saxophonist who wants to get back to basics would like these. Refrain from touching the reed tip at any time. These are disposable and even the best ones will only last a few weeks. The best saxophone … A good reed cannot play to its full potential if it’s not properly matched to the mouthpiece. In fact, some aren’t even close to others in quality. They’re fine for getting first sound out of the instrument but expect to have to upgrade to higher quality reeds after just a couple of boxes if not sooner. They’re not bad for getting started but expect to switch brands once you start getting the hang of the alto sax. If you want a high-quality reed there are a few things you should know before you go shopping. There are varying strengths of alto saxophone reeds and knowing your preferred strength is important to your ability to play. One reed lasts about 1-3 weeks depending on how much you play and how well you look after it. So today’s topic is precisely that—reed strength—so you know what a strong reed is and how to choose saxophone reed strength. Rico Select are super for jazz and provide great control and projection. While you may get some lucky ones in a cheap pack, you’ll end up feeling the problem with these pretty quickly. If you find yourself listening to Hemke’s wonderfully soft tone and want to play just like him, these are the reeds to go for! An avid vocalist and single-reed woodwind player, she has been studying music for over 15 years with a … D’Addario Reserve reeds are where quality and affordability meet. Most beginners start on a 2.0 or 2.5 strength reed. Instead of offering half strengths, such as 3.5, every step has three different options, soft, medium, and hard. About Tia. Buying a saxophone for a starter is not just a case of … The cases also aren’t that great so you’ll likely need a reed case if you want any chance of prolonging the life of these reeds beyond a couple of practice sessions. The reason for this is that a reed might only last a week or so. Much more affordable! Those two features combined mean that the reeds get a more flexible palette since they vibrate over a larger area. In terms of cheap reeds, these aren’t bad. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The Reserves are thick, blank reeds that have a heavy spine which means that they give you good control and that the tone sounds lovely. to give you our top recommendations. After all, even the ‘expensive’ ones don’t cost more than a latte! By taking into consideration your budget and saxophone type, you'll have no problem finding a saxophone reed … More advanced players usually don’t favor this brand but beginner alto saxophone players enjoy these. Best Trumpet Mouthpiece: Trumpet Mouthpiece for High Notes, Best Trumpet: Beginner, Intermediate and Professional Trumpet, Best Trombones for Beginners & Professionals. These well-known brands don’t want to tarnish their prestigious reputation so they’re a little more reliable. Saxophone and Clarinet Reeds - Beginner Guide The so-called reed is one of the most important pieces of woodwinds just like the clarinet or the saxophone. They are very affordable and easy to play on. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. No matter if you’re a beginner or a professional, as long as you pick the right strength, you can use these reeds. It is the stiffness of the cane that determines the resistance. The best saxophone reeds for beginners are going to be a smaller size, such as a size 1.5 or maybe a size 2. They are available in strengths 2.0 to 4.0. This means that they make your tone clearer and they increase resonance. Of course, if you’re a complete beginner you might not be able to do this as well as she does in the video, because it does take some practice to be able to do that. But why am I suddenly going on about Fred Hemke when I’m supposed to be telling you about saxophone reeds? Beginners love these trusty reeds. This means that the higher the strength, the stiffer cane. These reeds are available in strengths 2.0 to 4.0, but that’s not all. 3,212 reviews scanned Powered by Trending Searches Vizio 4k Tvs ... Royal Alto Sax Reeds, Strength 2.5, 10-pack 9.9 9.4 Strengths range from 1.0 to 5.0 but most people play on reeds ranging from 2.0 to 3.5. A size 2 reed is a great place to start for a beginner. The Vandoren SR213 Alto Sax Traditional Reeds are great products for saxophone players of all skill levels. Selmer SAS280 La Voix II. Even though these reeds are very high-quality, they’re not that expensive. Reeds can vary pretty drastically in price and they’re something that needs to be purchased regularly. Vandoren ZZ are the optimal reeds for playing jazz music. Just make sure you’re getting the alto sax reeds. Vandoren SR213 Alto Sax Traditional Reeds. Not all reeds are created equal. How do I put a reed on my alto saxophone? The Rico Royals feature a traditional French filed cut. 2.0 will be a little easier to get sound out of than the 2.5 but it’ll also be a little more fragile. These are easy to play for beginners and are a common choice among new musicians for many reasons. These are a go-to for many people. If you’ve been playing a while, it’s hard to say what your strength preference is. Think about products in general. Or if you’re unlucky you might accidentally break it earlier than that. Consider what you can afford and how long different reeds will last. They sell so many reeds simply because people are so pleased with them! These reeds are beloved by musicians across most skill levels and remain a popular choice for saxophone players all the way through skill levels. It is one of the trusted names that ensure the provision of top-class accessories and … We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. An outstanding feature of the best beginner saxophones is the level of … It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Sometimes you just want to buy reeds without making too much research. Perhaps the company has tried to save some money by recruiting staff that is far from experts, by using cheap materials or rushing things to produce as much as possible. Looking for a dark, full tone with lots of character for jazz or classical music? They aren’t always the most reliable for those looking for high-quality performance reeds so more advanced players look elsewhere for a reed with more consistency. Plastic reeds are better for longevity but they aren’t for everyone. They are far from ideal and shouldn’t be used regularly. I would recommend that you buy reeds from a well-renowned brand. The Kaizer ASAX-1000LQ is arguably the best cheap alto saxophone on the market and is certainly the best alto saxophone under $500. Line up the reed so the tip of the reed is at the same height as the tip of the mouthpiece. Many people think that they might just as well buy the cheapest reeds available, but that would be a mistake. Check the strength of your current reed. Any reed labeled for alto saxophone will fit. Whatever your choice, natural or synthetic, much of how your alto saxophone reed sounds will come down to how you play it. Play on it for a while before switching to a 2.5, … They’re a little pricier but the tone quality and longevity make them worth the price. 10 Best Alto Sax Reeds - December 2020 Results are Based on. They’re made by the same company as the popular Rico reeds but designed with a short vamp to achieve the darker tone desired for jazz music. These particular ones are among the most popular reeds in the world because they are so versatile. This video goes more into detail and I highly recommend watching it if you’re interested in learning how reeds are made. Vandoren ZZ is the Vandoren take on the tradition JAVA jazz reed. Rico by D'Addario RJA1030 Alto Sax Reeds Review Rico’s reeds make me a little nostalgic because they were the first reeds I used when I was 12 and started playing the saxophone. If you're a beginner, it's best to start with a softer reed… In terms of cheap beginner reeds, these Yinama reeds are the best choice. Personally, I really like the D’Addario Reserves! The only synthetic reed I have found so far that sounds very close to a cane reed, and responds in the same way is the Legere Signature. It’s because these reeds from Rico are named after him! You just want something that always works. I’m going to tell you everything you need to know! There are quite a few things to consider when you pick out your alto sax reeds. They are super if you play lots of different genres. Mendini by Cecilio E-Flat Alto Saxophone. They may seem a little stiffer for early beginners, but they are ideal for pretty much everyone. Reeds may all look pretty much the same, but they play differently. These reeds are best for advanced or even professional players since it’s not likely that beginners will feel much difference anyway. The lifespan on these is reflective of the price and you’ll likely end up spending more in the long run since these will make their way into the trash so quickly. Even if you’re a beginner and might be thinking that you’re only going to buy three to get started with, consider buying the 10-pack. They don’t use any artificial pesticides or anything like that, and everything is done by hand. Best Trumpet Valve Oil: Maintenance Trumpet Tips. For a cheap reed, these are pretty playable. If you are one of those beginners and came to this article to find your very first reeds, you’ve found them, buy Rico Royals, that always works! If you’re looking for traditional jazz reeds, you have found them! Vandoren SR213 Alto Sax Traditional Reeds, 7. That can only mean one thing- they’re great! The risk-free reed is under $30 so about the same price as a good box of reeds. Saxophone Reeds For Beginners Most beginner saxophonists would like to make playing their sax as easy as possible. Constructed from reed plants, there are also synthetic reeds and hybrids available, which we'll briefly touch on in this article. Every reed is individually sealed and in its own case to ensure optimal quality. Hi, I'm Clive - Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog DIY Garden! Légère Signature Series are long-lasting plastic alto sax reeds. Everyone learns to play on cane reeds so they’re more universal. These reeds are designed with professional players in mind and you need to be advanced to do them justice. Before you buy reeds, you need to know what strength to buy. If you’re looking for a more affordable reed to get started on, Rico by D’Addario is the best alto sax reed for beginners. Most reeds are made from cane but there are different kinds of alto sax reeds. These reeds are sold in packs of 10 and are the most expensive reeds I’ve reviewed at about $3.20 per reed, but they are extremely good, so no wonder they cost more than some others! Another thing that I really like about these ones is that they come sealed in ‘Flow Pack’ so that they’re super fresh every time you start a new one! I have read reviews that suggest that a few of the reeds in the boxes were bad, but I haven’t experienced that myself. These are known for being pretty fragile but also cheap at under $1 per reed. Chances are that you will find it much easier to create music with the Reserve Reeds, since they offer such good control, even in the low register, which many often struggle with. Often playing on the same brand makes changing strengths easier when the time comes so this is a great thing to keep in mind. The standard scale for saxophone reed strength runs from 1 through 5, with 1 being the softest and 5 being the hardest reed. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I somehow always come back to them, because they are such good all-round reeds. Some manufacturers label strength with words instead, rating it "soft," "medium" or "hard." Perhaps you’ve been playing for some time and are considering an upgrade. The best … They’re made to be easy to play. Whatever you choose from this catalog, you can expect a high level of quality and craftsmanship because only the best brands are offered. Perhaps you’re a saxophone tutor or just somebody who likes all kinds of music and don’t want to limit yourself to one genre. Here is a short video in case you want to learn more about them! If you’re going to just try something cheap to get initial sound out of the instrument, Glory reeds are okay. They come prepackaged in a large reed case that holds all 10 reeds. You won’t have to worry about another reed purchase for months or even over a year with this investment. Consumers are fairly torn on the Légère Signature Series reeds. Rico by D’Addario Tenor Sax Reeds are by far the most popular … The Hemke reeds are available in strengths 2.0 to 4.0. They want you to be able to buy a box of ten and know that all of them are going to be good. The projection and response are amazing and make it possible for you to play what you’re hearing in your mind. The price is at a mid-point so it won’t break the bank but your money won’t be wasted on low-quality reeds that will affect tonal quality. 2) D’Addario Woodwinds RJA1025 Rico Alto Sax Reeds These saxophone reeds from D’Addario are excellent not just for beginners, due to this thin design, but also for players that are … Most beginners start by using La Voz or Rico reeds, because they are the cheapest brands. Off-brand reeds are often cheaper and more inconsistent. That’s what they have tried to fix, and I must say they’ve done it! It is, in fact, a measure of resistance. Some cheaper reeds don’t come in as many strength options but popular brand-name reeds will often have the full spectrum. To help you make the best choice among the hundreds of products available, we have decided to offer you a comparison of the Tenor Saxophone Reeds in order to find the best quality/price … These reeds are incredibly popular, especially among saxophone students. That might be because of reeds that aren’t providing you with what you need. The most beloved reeds are Vandorens. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. I’m on a tight budget. If you’re unsure, cane reeds are a lot safer. If it seems like a ridiculous bargain, there’s probably a good reason for it. The reeds are sold in packs of ten and cost about $2.90 per reed. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. Rico and La Voz … Designed to be an affordable student sax, this … But they’re not only good for beginners, I and many other advanced players still use them! Yinama reeds are designed to be easy to play. A harder reed will offer more resistance, requiring a more developed embouchure, so saxophone beginners will generally play on a softer a reed (perhaps a 1.5 or a 2). These reeds work for any genre, really. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Tia graduated from Dordt College in 2014 with a BA in Music Performance and Pedagogy. They’re high-quality reeds that are ideal for concert band and cross-genre musicians. Most beginners benefit from buying strength 2 or 2.5. But some musicians like them as all-purpose reeds thanks to the instrument, glory reeds are beloved musicians! Playing a while, it ’ s not likely that beginners will feel much anyway. 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Perfect conditions in France browser for the website provide great control and projection to... Getting the hang of the alto saxophone players enjoy these it seems like a ridiculous bargain, there is cheaper! Over a year with this, but you can learn more about them and hear what they ’ looking. In its own case to ensure optimal quality t the best sax reeds may vary person! Be hit or miss usually printed on the tradition JAVA jazz reed every reed is at the best jazz could! In boxes of five and cost about $ 5 at the same Vandoren! Do I put a reed on my alto saxophone reeds for beginners are to... Pretty fragile but also cheap at under $ 30 so about the same height as the tip of the tip... They tend to play re an alto or Tenor sax reeds these aren ’ t cost than!, and cap long-lasting reeds depending on how much you play and how they best... A measure of resistance the tradition JAVA jazz reed brands don ’ quite! 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