Snax

This section is where we put useful stuff for saxophone players. We've only just started it, so bear with us while we grow it. Some of the articles have been provided by commercial organisations in the saxophone world, for which we are grateful.

What Makes a Good Reed?

I think you’ll agree that the number of different makes and variations of reed available today is quite comprehensive, with a new one appearing almost on a monthly basis it seems, so choosing a reed can sometimes be a case of trial and error.

Are you looking for a reed suitable for Jazz, Big Band, Rock, or are you playing more Classical, Symphonic Wind Band? This should certainly influence your choice of reed brand.

Once you have made your choice of reed strength and brand, what do you look for in the individual reed? Here are a couple of suggestions.

Visually, check that the tip of the reed has been cut symmetrically and there are no splits or other damage by gently running your finger along the underside tip of the reed.
Next, by holding the reed to a light, check that the fibre or grain of the reed runs parallel to the cut of the reed, also the heart of the reed is central to the face of the reed and not to one side.

A few words regarding a subject close to my heart, Reed Management. On occasion I have heard people say, "I bought a box of reeds and had to throw half of them away because they didn’t work!" Remember, reeds are made of an organic material and will change over a period of time. Also, humidity can influence the way a reed performs. So, don't throw those reeds away, you may come back to them at a later date and find that they play fine.

Customising your reeds, i.e. scraping and clipping, is something that a lot of players, understandably, approach with a certain amount of trepidation. There are various items on the market, such as reed clippers and re-surfacers that are designed to help you make the most of your reeds. I would suggest experimenting on old reeds to discover what effect adjusting the different areas of the reed might have.

Finally, I am often asked what reed I would recommend, very difficult to answer as there are so many factors that would affect that choice. Among them are the physical make up of the player, the genre of music and also the mouthpiece, including tip opening etc.

Whatever reed you decide to play, it's a good bet that you will always be looking for a better one! Good luck!

Andy Still
Retail and Woodwind Dept Manager
John Packer Ltd
www.johnpacker.co.uk