Are Vandoren reeds good?

Traditional (also known as Blue Box) – These are, by far, Vandoren's most popular saxophone reeds. They are great for beginning and intermediate saxophone players. They are versatile with a thin tip and thick heart. They offer rich sound and are even through all registers.

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Considering this, what is the difference between Vandoren reeds?

Vandoren has a bunch of Alto reeds what's the difference between all of them? They are french cut and are generally half a strength harder than their equivalent strength in other reeds. They are also sometimes used by Jazz and commercial players who like more " wood" in their reeds .

Likewise, are Rico Royal Reeds good? Rico Royal is an excellent reed but you MUST get the strength that is comfortable without straining.

Similarly, you may ask, what is the best reed brand?

8 Best Clarinet Reeds (Reviews) in 2020

• Vandoren CR103 Traditional Bb Clarinet Reeds.
• Royal by D'Addario Rico 2.5 Strength Reeds for Bb Clarinet.
• Rico 2.5 Strength Reeds for Bb Clarinet.
• Rico Mitchell Lurie Premium 3.0 Strength Reeds for Bb Clarinet.
• Vandoren CR1935 Bb 3,5 Clarinet Reeds V12 Pack.

Are plastic reeds good?

Synthetic reeds lack the 'great' response you find in those few great cane reeds, but also lack the throw away need. Synthetic reeds are consistent. You don't need to do much to them and they play out of the box. There are plenty of players that sound really good on synthetic reeds.

Related Question Answers

Which Vandoren Reed is best for jazz?

Java Red reeds are available for tenor, alto, baritone and soprano saxophone. ZZ – These reeds offer the flexibility of Java Green but have the heart and tip of V16 reeds. They are responsive and colorful, while not too bright and not too dark. The ZZ reeds are a great all-around jazz reed.

What are Vandoren reeds made of?

Some other accessories include mouthpiece pouches, reed trimmers and reed resurfacers. Vandoren produces a wide range of ligatures for clarinet and saxophone players. They are made from materials such as metal, leather, and woven materials.

What is the difference between Vandoren and Vandoren v12 reeds?

Vandoren premium clarinet reeds each offer a slightly different profile and sound from the Traditional Blue Box reeds. V12 – These are cut from a thicker blank and longer palette to give you more color and flexibility in your sound. They play a little softer than Traditional reeds.

What Reed strength should I use for alto sax?

Some manufacturers label strength with words instead, rating it "soft," "medium" or "hard." The standard scale for saxophone reed strength runs from 1 through 5, with 1 being the softest and 5 being the hardest reed. If you're a beginner, it's best to start with a softer reed, usually about a 2.

What are Vandoren Java reeds?

Description. Developed in 1983 for jazz and popular music, the JAVA reed incorporates a thicker tip and a more flexible palette than the Tradational reed which allows the reed to vibrate over a larger surface area with maximum elasticity. From the tip, the waves are absorbed firther in the JAVA reed.

Who owns Vandoren?

The Vandoren company is a family business, founded by Eugène Van Doren, soloist at the Concerts Colonne orchestra. Continued by his son, clarinetist Robert Van Doren then by Bernard Van Doren, its actual President.

What is the difference in Reed strength?

Reeds vary in strength in half measures – a bit like shoe sizes! – so they start at 1 ½, 2, 2 ½ , 3, 3 ½, etc. The number refers to how thick the reed is. A thicker reed is more difficult to play but thicker reeds do offer a much better tone production and thus improve the sound of an instrument.

Why are reeds so expensive?

Oboe reeds are really expensive, especially when you are comparing them to clarinet or saxophone reeds. So – why are oboe reeds so expensive? Another reason is the reeds are very time-consuming to make. Even machine made oboe reeds will still take longer to make than clarinet or saxophone reeds.

What does a harder reed do?

Thinner reeds vibrate more easily, so they are good for beginners. Players of popular music or jazz often prefer this brighter tone and thus use thinner reeds. Reeds with a thickness of 4 or 5 are harder and thus require more skill to sound, but the tone is fatter, bigger, and warmer.

What strength should a beginner Reed be?

Recommended Reed Strength for Beginners Most beginners start by using La Voz or Rico reeds, because they are the cheapest brands. A size 2 reed is a great place to start for a beginner. Play on it for a while before switching to a 2.5, unless it feels entirely too soft, then 2.5 is okay.

How do you take care of Reeds?

7 Reed Care Tips for Beginners

1. Clean Mouths = Clean Instruments. Simple, right?
2. Beware the Ligature. Make sure students start by placing the ligature on the mouthpiece.
3. Get a Case. Reed cases keep reeds flat as they dry, which prevents warping.
4. Pick a Goldilocks Reed.
5. Have at Least Three Good Reeds at All Times.
6. Rotate Your Reeds.
7. Be Patient.

How do you break in a reed?

Here is my step-by-step process for breaking in new reeds:

1. Wet the reed well, either in your mouth or in a glass of water.
2. Play the reed for no more than one minute.
3. Allow the reed to dry completely in some sort of a reed storage container.
4. Repeat step number 2, increasing the playing time to two minutes.

How long do alto sax reeds last?

Reeds don't last long This is why the reed is one of the most critical parts. Expect a reed to last for around a week to two weeks. When you change from a reed you've been using for some time to a new reed, the sound of your instrument will change with it.

What is Reed strength?

Tone of an instrument is determined by the strength, which is represented by a number located on the reed. Higher numbers indicate a stiffer reed. The more experienced musician is able to provide the breath support and embouchure strength needed to play the strongest reeds, which produce the much-desired dark tone.

Where are Rico reeds made?

The journey first begins at their France and Argentina plantations where it takes about 4 years to harvest, each cane being individually cut. Through a rigorous quality control process both at cultivation and manufacture, only 30% will make it to become a reed.

What is the difference between RICO and RICO Royal reeds?

Rico-Royal is Rico's reed division oriented toward the advancing student. The classic and ubiquitous "orange box (regular rico)" reeds are the ones more students start on than any other, while the Rico-Royal reeds accommodate students who have developed a good facility on their instrument.

What is the difference between filed and unfiled reeds?

Filed reeds (also called double cut or French cut) are reeds that have an extra strip of the bark removed in a straight line, just below the vamp. Unfiled reeds (also called American Cut, regular reeds or single cut) are identified by their distinct “U” shape at the bottom of the vamp and no line.

Did D'Addario buy Rico?

As the exclusive North American distributor for Vandoren since 1986, we negotiated with Vandoren to acquire Rico. In the end, Vandoren decided they were not interested in the partnership, and the D'Addario family decided to proceed with the acquisition.

How often should you change your reed?

For those just starting out, reeds can last up to six months. Once you play and practice more frequently, this “cycle” can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks. Once you become more comfortable with the clarinet, you'll have a general idea of when you should be replacing your reeds.