How to Choose Baritone Saxophone Reeds

The reed is one of the most important parts of your baritone saxophone. It is what produces the sound in your instrument and can affect your tone quality and sound production. There are a number of things you will want to consider when choosing a baritone saxophone reed.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Pick up your reeds at the music store. You can choose from a variety of brands and thicknesses. The brands are fairly similar, but you will need to know the thickness of the reed you use. Beginners usually start with a 2 and work up to a 3.5 or 4. Make sure you get a baritone saxophone reed, as there are different sized reeds for different types of saxophones.
2. Look for a reed that appears to be made from a more seasoned wood. The appearance of tiger striped marking usually means that the wood is of older and better quality, while solid lighter colored reeds are usually younger and more porous wood.
3. Examine the reeds for single or double cut. A single cut reed will have a single tapered cut from the butt of the reed to the end of the tapered edge. A double cut reed will have the same cut as a single cut reed but also another straight cut slightly below the first cut that goes straight across the width of the reed. Double cut reeds can produce better tone, but both types work well.
4. Decided if you want a plain reed or a plastic covered reed. Plastic covered reeds produce more of a brassy tone and can last much longer than plain reeds. Plain reeds are more commonly used in concert band and orchestras because of their more smooth and rounded tone. Plastic reeds are more expensive than plain reeds, so choose which reed will fit your style and budget.