Are RICO saxophone reeds good?

Quality and Versatility. Featuring a thinner vamp for ease of play and a traditional blank for a clear sound, Rico reeds are ideal for a wide array of playing situations.

Are Rico reeds good?

Rico reeds are consistent and play well right out of the box. They are cheaper than Vandoren, come in a variety of styles for classical or jazz, and work well for marching band. More advanced classical players prefer Vandoren, but D’Addario (Rico) reeds are gaining popularity for their quality.

What are the best reeds for alto sax?

5 Outstanding Alto Saxophone Reeds to Upgrade the Sound

Editor’s Choice: Vandoren SR613.
Best for Jazz: D’Addario Rico Select Jazz.
Best Synthetic: Legere Signature ASSS3.25.
Best Value: D’Addario Hemke Alto Sax Reeds.
Best for Students: D’Addario RJA1030.

What are Rico reeds made of?

Most reeds are made from a cane plant called “Arundo donax” which creates a warm sound preferred by many musicians and was once considered the only suitable reed material.

How do I know if my reed is too hard?

Too Hard, Too Soft, or Just Right If you play on a reed that requires a lot of air, and you get a muffled tone, it’s probably too hard. People compare it to playing on tree bark. In this case, try a lower reed strength. If you’re playing on a 3, then move down to 2.5.

Why are Vandoren reeds so expensive?

So yes, reeds are expensive to buy. But clearly, they’re also very expensive to produce. The process takes years, AND it requires large amounts of land located in a very expensive part of the world. It’s labor intensive and Employees in France actually cost a fortune.

Are reeds expensive?

What reeds are the best?

So, keep reading to learn about the products that are the top picks in reeds.

SR223 Tenor Sax Traditional Reeds.
Rico Bb Clarinet Reeds.
Martin Lesher Medium Oboe Reeds.
Rico Select Jazz Tenor Sax Reeds.
Alexander S5T3 Tenor Saxophone Reeds.
Vandoren CR103 Bb Clarinet Reeds.
Gonzalez F.O.F.
Stradella Oboe Reed Medium Soft.

Where are reeds made?

Reeds are actually made from the Arundo Donax plant, a member of the grass family, sometimes referred to as “giant cane.” It grows naturally in the Mediterranean Basin, where Vandoren also manufactures their reeds to keep them in their natural climate from start to finish.

How do you make reeds?

Making a reed by hand

First, split a cane of common reed into four sections of equal length.
Strip the bark at the center.
Cut the long edges to produce a boat-like shape.
Score the reed at the center and fold it into two, and make vertical incisions on the part of the cane where the bark remains.

Are harder reeds better?

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.

How do you know if you need a stronger reed?

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.

What’s the strength of Rico alto sax reeds?

I BOUGHT #3 REEDS AND WHEN WE OPENED THE BOX THE REEDS INSIDE SAY STRENGTH IS 3.5. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. BOUGHT THESE SOMETIME BACK FOR THE SCHOOL SUPPLIES AND DID NOT OPEN THE PACK TILL NOW. UPON OPENING NOTICED THAT THE REEDS ARE OF DIFFERENT STRENGTH THAN WHAT IS MENTIONED ON THE BOX.

Which is the best brand of Rico Reeds?

D’Addario’s new state-of-the-art digital reed-making technology has resulted in unprecedented quality and consistency in today’s Rico reed. EDUCATION STANDARD – Rico reeds have been the standard among teachers and students for generations. Priced affordably, Rico reeds are designed to reward the student with an immediate sound.

What kind of Reed is Rico by D Addario?

RICO BY D’ADDARIO – For nearly a century, the name Rico has been synonymous with quality reeds. Now part of the D’Addario family of musical instruments and accessories, Rico by D’Addario has revamped the reed-making process to create the most consistent reed in the world.

How big of a reed do I need for one and a half?

One and a half can also be called 1 1/2 or 1.5 size. This usually equates to a reed called soft by some manufacturers. Inexperienced players will often use reeds between 1.5 and 2, more experienced players 2.5 and 3.5. In stock 5 LEFT! In stock 3 LEFT!