Saxophone Reed Information
One of the most important parts of the saxophone is the reed. In fact, without a reed, the instrument is unplayable. Many players simply purchase reeds from the local music store and do not realize the great care and effort needed to manufacture each reed.
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Construction
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The saxophone reed is made from a type of cane called arundo donax. Finer quality reeds are made from cane that comes from the southern portion of France near the Mediterranean Sea.
Preparation
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Preparation of the reed involves first drying the rough cane, then cutting the tube into lengths that depend on the length of the reed being manufactured. From each section of the cut portion, the tube can be divided into three portions. These smaller portions are then either machined or hand-carved into the finished reed.
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Strength
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Saxophone reeds typically come in four strengths that depend on the ability and preference of the player. In general, the larger the reed, the more air will be needed to produce a clean tone. The four strengths are 2, 2.5, 3 and 3.5.
Sizes
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Saxophone reed size depends on the instrument for which the reed is intended. A soprano saxophone reed is a great deal smaller than the baritone saxophone reed because of the vast difference in the instruments' size.
Care
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Reeds can become unresponsive with age and neglect. Always wash reeds with warm water after use to avoid a build up of dirt and saliva deposits. These build ups can eventually diminish the reed's ability to vibrate properly.
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