Should I Change My Reed Strength? (How to Tell When to Move Up or Down a Strength)
To find the perfect reed strength - not too soft, not too hard - channel your inner Goldilocks.
Reed strength is an important factor in saxophone tone production. Finding that sweet spot in reed strength - not too hard, and not too soft - is key to getting a solid tone throughout the range of your instrument.
So how do you know if you’re playing on the correct strength reed? Here are telltale signs to look for.
If…
You find it easy to play low notes and difficult to play high notes.
You have trouble playing with a wide dynamic range (very quiet or very loud).
Your tone sounds buzzy, honky, or tubby.
You have trouble creating a beautiful, refined tone.
You have trouble playing in tune (tending flat), especially in the high register.
…your reed may be too soft.
Or if…
You find it’s easy to play high notes and difficult to play low notes.
You feel like have to blow extremely hard to get notes to come out.
Your tone sounds airy or dull.
You experience embouchure fatigue, with air out of the corners of your mouth and/or pain caused by biting into your lower lip.
You have trouble playing in tune (tending sharp) especially in the high register.
…your reed may be too hard.
But if…
You can produce a beautiful, refined sound on all notes in your range.
You can play with good intonation, without swinging very sharp or flat in the high register.
You can play with a wide dynamic range.
…your reed strength is just right!
Consider these factors while you’re playing, and you’ll be well on your way to finding the right reed strength!
How reed strength changes over the life of a reed
Keep in mind that when you first start playing on a new reed, it will be at its stiffest, and therefore will feel on the harder side. As you continue to play on it over several days, the reed will become more flexible and feel softer.
Therefore, try to choose a strength that feels slightly hard when you start playing on a new reed, so it will feel just right as you break it in. When you’ve played on your reed for too long and it starts to feel too soft, it’s time to start a new one!
Should I always try to get to a higher strength reed?
Just like with the treadmill, after a certain point, higher is not always better. When you move up a strength, allow some time to adjust your air and embouchure to the increased resistance. However, if you find the new strength still feels too hard after a week or two, there’s no shame in moving back down. And at some point, you will no longer need to increase your reed strength. (Most professionals find that somewhere in the 3 - 3.5 strength range on a premium brand reed works best for them).
Remember, not all reed strength scales are created equal!
A 2.5 strength Vandoren Java reed is not the same thickness as a 2.5 strength Rico Royal reed. To compare reed strengths across brands and manufacturers, check out my Interactive Reed Comparison Chart.
And keep in mind, a teacher can always help you decide when to change reed strengths!
For more about reed strength, check out my post Why Saxophone Reed Strength Matters.