Reeds are the heart and soul of a saxophone, which is why it’s so difficult to know where to start looking for the right one for you. After all, there are so many different options out there. How do you know which reeds are worth buying? We decided to do some research to find out. These are our favorite tenor saxophone reeds.
Our Editor’s Best Tenor Saxophone Reeds Reviews
- Traditional reeds are known for their excellent response in all registers, allowing a pianissimo attack in even highest notes.
- Extremely flexible, allowing the legato or staccato execution of large intervals while maintaining a richness of tone that gives body and clarity to the sound, which is a hallmark of Vandoren reeds.
- Traditional reeds are available for all clarinets and saxophones in various strengths.
- Every reed sealed in 'Flow Pack' to ensure freshness.
- EASE OF PLAY – Featuring a traditional blank and profile for ease of response designed for ease of play, D’Addario Woodwinds reeds are ideal for students, revered by educators worldwide.
- FROM FIELD TO FACTORY - Harvested from naturally grown cane, while designed and manufactured in the USA.
- 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.
- IDEAL FOR - Rico reeds are perfect for students, revered by educators worldwide and a favorite among jazz musicians.
- D’ADDARIO WOODWINDS – For nearly a century, the name Rico has been synonymous with quality reeds. D’Addario Woodwinds has revamped the reed-making process to create the most consistent reed in the world.
- EASE OF RESPONSE AND CLARITY - Royal reeds offer ease of response and increased clarity in the sound.
- THINNER PROFILE, STRONG SPINE - Royal reeds are filed and feature a thinner profile and blank with a stronger spine. Ideal for students and advancing players.
- PREMIUM CANE FOR BETTER TONE - Royal reeds are made from premium cane for consistent response and playability.
- IDEAL FOR A VARIETY OF MUSIC GENRES - These reeds are ideal for jazz, classical, and other styles of music, allowing for clarity and projection in any venue.
- D’ADDARIO WOODWINDS – Rico has been synonymous with quality reeds. Now part of the D’Addario family of musical instruments and accessories, D’Addario Woodwinds has revamped the reed-making process to create the most consistent reed in the world.
- 10 Individual Packs: Sovvid tenor saxophone reeds are individually packaged to resist moisture and humidity and will not warp, crack or mold. Each tenor sax reed comes with a portable reed case, making it easy to carry and replace at any time
- Premium Material Bring Clear Sound: Strength 3.0, box of 10. Sovvid reeds are made of high quality natural reed with perfect vibration characteristic. They are not easy to deform or break and maintain a richness of tone, good elasticity and durability
- Wide Application: Beginners generally choose strength 2.0 or 2.5, experienced saxophone players can choose strength 3.0. It helps to show a nice timbre and bring a good playing effect, suitable for daily practices, stage or concert situations
- Advanced Craft: Each reed features a thinner vamp and unfiled cut design makes it easier to play. With advanced production equipment and craft to ensure an accurate cut and smooth finish. These reeds have stable vibration and small resistance
- Production Standard: Sovvid reeds are harvested by hand, made by digital reed-making technology to keep the reeds stability and durability. They're revered by players and educators for the ease of response and clarity in sound
- More flexible than Traditional and V16 reeds
- Vibrates over a longer palette producing a bright sound with immediate response
- Also available in other strengths
- Every reed sealed in 'Flow Pack' to ensure freshness.
- Relative of JAVA reed family
- First file cut reed from Vandoren which is ideal for jazz and popular music
- Also available in other strengths
- Every reed sealed in 'Flow Pack' to ensure freshness.
- CLEAR AND EXPRESSIVE SOUND. The Signatures for Saxophone respond without hesitation. They are thinner and stiffer than a traditional cane reed, making them easy to play and wonderfully smooth. They produce a pristine, centered sound with colorful overtones.
- SYNTHETIC FOR DURABILITY AND LONGEVITY. Legere synthetic reeds are not affected by environmental conditions such as high humidity. Legere reeds last longer saving you time and money.
- NO PRECONDITIONING. Legere reeds are ready to play. You won’t need to pre-soak a Legere reed to get the perfect pitch. Ready to play when you are!
- INCLUDES CARRY CASE for easy storage. Keep your Legere reeds in one place and safe from the elements.
- NO RISK 30-DAY EXCHANGE Contact us if you are unhappy with our product for any reason and we will replace your reed at no charge
- Combines medium-thick heart, spine and rounded tip of V16 reed with the flexible platte design of the JAVA reed
- Also available in other strengths
- Every reed sealed in 'Flow Pack' to ensure freshness.
- Immediately responsive without sacraficing the brightness or tone quality required for this style of music
- The unique relationship between the heart and tip provides extaordinary color, great response and a durable life
- Glory Tenor Saxophone Sax Reeds Size 2.5, Strength 2 1/2, Box of 10
- Glory Tenor Saxophone Reeds are compatible to all Brands of Tenor Saxophones
- Glory Reeds are Suitable for Students,Intermediates and Professional Players. It meets Worldwide Standards and also Approved by Customers,Teachers and Musicians.
Best Tenor Saxophone Reeds Buying Guide
Before choosing the best tenor saxophone reeds you should consider following options:
1. Quality: Quality is the first and foremost thing you should look for in a saxophone reed. A bad reed will give a bad sound, no matter how much you tweak it.
The best way to determine the quality of a reed is to check the strength of the tone. The tone should be rich and vibrant, with the right amount of strength and flexibility.
The overall quality of the reed is also determined by the thickness and cut of the reed. You will find reeds that are cut from middle to end of the cane.
These are known as medium and thick tone, and they produce a warm and strong tone. You will also find reeds that are cut from the tip of the cane.
These are known as bright tone and produce a higher sound.
2. Strength: Strength is determined by the flexibility and thickness of the reed. You will find reeds that are thin and weak, and other thick and strong reeds.
A weak reed will not produce a good tone and will not last long. On the other hand, a reed that is too strong will make the sound sharp and will not be easy to play.
3. Cut: The cut of the reed also plays an important role in determining the quality of the tone.
You will find reeds that are cut from the middle to the end of the cane. These are known as medium tone and produce a rich tone.
You will also find reeds that are cut from the tip of the cane. These are known as bright tone and produce a high tone.
You will also find reeds that are cut from the middle to the middle. These are known as medium bright tone, and produce a tone that is between medium and bright.
4. Manufacturer: Each brand makes saxophone reeds with varying quality. Some of them produce better reeds than others.
You will find some manufacturers that are popular among saxophone players, and some that are not so popular.
You will also find some manufacturers that are not well-known, but produce high-quality reeds.
It is always a good idea to go for a brand that has a good reputation. This way you can be sure that their products are of good quality.
What else you should know about tenor saxophone reeds
1. What is the difference between a tenor saxophone reed and other types of reeds?
Tenor saxophone reeds are generally larger than other types of reeds. They are also more flexible, which allows them to vibrate more freely. This results in a richer, fuller sound that is well suited for jazz and other styles of music.
2. How do you choose the right tenor saxophone reed for your instrument?
There is no definitive answer, as each player’s needs will vary depending on their individual playing style and the specific instrument they are using. However, some general tips that may be helpful include:
– Start with a softer reed if you are a beginner, or if you have a lighter touch.
– If you have a heavier touch, or if you are looking for more projection, try a harder reed.
– Be sure to try out several different brands and types of reeds to find the ones that work best for you.
3. How do you care for a tenor saxophone reed?
You soak the reed in water for about 20 minutes before you play.
4. What are the different types of tenor saxophone reeds available?
There are a few different types of tenor saxophone reeds available, including:
-Synthetic reeds: These reeds are made from synthetic materials, and are often more durable than traditional reeds. They can be a good choice for beginner or intermediate players.
-Traditional reeds: These reeds are made from cane, and are the most common type of reed. They can be softer or harder, depending on the brand and type.
-Metal reeds: These reeds are made from metal, and are often used by professional players. They can produce a brighter sound than traditional reeds.
5. How do tenor saxophone reeds affect the sound of your instrument?
Tenor saxophone reeds have a significant effect on the sound of the instrument. They can make the sound brighter or darker, and can also affect the volume of the instrument.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best tenor saxophone reeds. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best tenor saxophone reeds will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.