Saxophone Reeds

Saxophone Reeds

Whether you’re new to the saxophone or consider yourself a seasoned pro, one thing is sure: reeds are absolutely one of the most important parts of the saxophone. Experimenting with different sax reeds can drastically change the sound of your saxophone, and which reed you choose depends on a variety of factors, including desired tone and budget.

When it comes to selecting the perfect sax reed, there’s more to it than simply choosing reeds from the top manufacturers or using whatever your friend recommends. What works for one saxophonist might not work for another, so the key to finding the right reed is plenty of experimentation.

Reeds come in strengths of 1 to 5, ranging from soft to hard. Soft reeds have a bright tone and less resistance, while hard reeds have a dark sound and more resistance. If you’re just starting out, you might want to stick with soft reeds since they’re easier to play. You can always experiment more down the line.

If you aren’t sure where to begin, start by selecting the type of sax you play. Music & Arts sells reeds for alto, tenor, soprano, baritone, and bass saxophones, using both cane and synthetic materials. For more information on materials and reed cut, check out our guide to Choosing a Saxophone Reed.

Whether you choose synthetic reeds from Vandoren or cane reeds from D’Addario, we take the guesswork out of shopping for saxophone reeds. Have questions? Need some help? Visit a store near you or reach out to our customer service team. We don’t bite, we promise!