Have kept 6 -7 new reeds in a watertight jar, half filled with Barbados Rum, for over 3 years. Just take one out of the jar, and it is immediately in perfect condition to play , and both tastes and smells lovely as a bonus. Works like a charm actually.
I just started doing this. Works amazingly well! I use 40% alcohol/vodka. It also sanitizes the reed and destroys the saliva enzymes that eventually kills a reed.
@@jamie9455 Exactly, so alcohol content should be higher if possible, preferrably single cask rum 60vol % or higher.... ! I used standard Plantation Barbados Rum at 40 vol % though, and it seemed to work just fine over 3 years at least!
I'm not too familiar with alcohol, but isnt run sugar-derived, and thus sweeter than other spirits? A multiple-pass distilled, filtered spirit is what would be preferable I'd suppose.
Here's one more hack, and an interesting note. The hack: If you have a great reed that is fading, drop it into a glass with Hydrogen Peroxide. You'll typically see it bubble and fizz. Rinse the reed in plain water, then its ready to play again. The interesting note: if you just can't seem to find a good reed, maybe it isn't the reed! If it's been a long time since your repair person has done maintenance on your sax, it might be leaking in funny places and ways. The leaks sneak up on you over time, and when they get bad enough, everything is a struggle that feels a lot like a bad reed, but is actually your horn telling you that it needs some TLC.
I also use 3% hydrogen peroxide. Instead of water, I just presoak in the it as you would water. The reed is rejuvenated and don’t have a mould problem.
Isopropyl alcohol works better in my experience, the hydrogen typically destroys more of the cane matter and decreases the overall lifespan while the alcohol gets rid of the same gunk with minimal changes to the cane
Both are excellent tips, yes. Actually, I heard about the hydrogen-peroxide tip in regard to bassoon reeds (as feisty as sax reeds can be, bassoon reeds are even more temperamental!). However, make sure that you use hydrogen-peroxide for wound care, and _not_ that for bleaching hair!
I’m new (8 months) to the sax at 66 years old and haven’t even begun any improv research, this was great and it will launch me into looking at those areas. After watching your video, i will now beging looking at the cords for the songs i am playing. I haven’t done any blue yet, although perhaps I should start. Thanks.
Here’s a tip for doing solo’s: Jump around the notes of the scale that corresponds to your current key signature in the song. It makes all the difference and don’t be afraid to use the full range of your sax while you’re at it!
@BetterSax Great lesson, Jay! Using warm water makes the reed saturate faster than cool water. Instead of a glass of water, I use an empty prescription container. I screw on the top and tip the bottle on its side, so the entire reed is soaking at once.
I was fortunate enough to study with Joe Allard and he was never one to soak reeds when new. He would moisten the tip at first. His reason was " they are going to get wet enough when you play them" He was big on working with them as you break them in, flattening the table as needed, sealing them with just white paper rubbing the open tubes of the reed to close the vamp and table. Put the ligature on first then put the reed on butt end first to avoid hitting the tip with the ligature. I like to cut a little rut into the bark from vamp to butt down the center to let the bark flex better as the body of the reed soaks up moisture. All this and a lot of chanting to the reed gods for their blessings on the new reed. 🎷
Yes, I got over the idea of "harder is better" many years ago when I tried softer reeds and found I like the playability and extra brightness much better.
My pet theory is tutors (including mine) were actually just trying to caution us to stick with softs until we knew what we were doing, but that came across as "advanced players use harder reeds" rather than "some advanced players use hard reeds when suitable".
Yeah that's true.With harder reeds you have more stability in the higher register. But low notes become more difficult to play at the same time@@mikeciul8599
Thanks for the tips. Just getting back into playing from 25 years on break. Will be watching more of your videos since I just found your channel which is a treasure trove of information.
Bravo! No more plastic! What a relief! Excellent move man! A good enough reason to order and try out your reeds. A simple trick to use a reed that is too hard: Wet it real good and then gently fold the tip towards the mouthpiece direction, making the distance between the reed and the mouthpiece smaller.... Gently so it doesn't brake....
as a kid in my school's marching band, i actually find the "single-use plastics" to be really nice as they act as little cases that stop your reeds from breaking in the case and they can let you be able to tell which reeds you have used recently since you can write on them with permanent marker. edit: didn't see the reed case bit before typing this, but i still do think the plastic cases do have uses
I just got my first saxophone last week and thought the plastic case for the reed was just for the reed that came with the sax. Wow, didn't know they all come in single plastic containers. I like your approach if delivery and cutting down on plastic. And I've been watching your videos all weekend. Love the content and love the sound of the saxophone.
Appreciate all the tips, and am especially grateful for the plea to ditch the plastic! If, as musicians, we're about bringing beauty and joy into the world, we need to do what we can to preserve that world. I would order a box of Better Sax reeds for that reason alone, and the hope of a better reed to play on makes it a double win.
Excellent video, Jay! We're eagerly anticipating adding your reeds to our inventory. We wholeheartedly agree with your stance on the necessity for reed manufacturers to reduce their use of plastic! - jamie
Couple more tips: Use a prescription jar or tube to store your reeds. I place a little original formula listerine in there to kill mould and stop your saliva bacteria from deteriorating your reeds, but don’t over do it. just a splash. You could use a tiny piece of sponge to hold the listerine in the tube, but change it every other week. For warped reeds, just place it on the mouthpiece (if it isn’t already there) and hold the reed closed against the mouthpiece with your regular embrouchure. With a little saliva you can blow as hard as possible (without letting the reed vibrate to make a sound), this will force the saliva back into the pores of the reed tip area and allow the reed to go back into shape against the mouthpiece. Works a treat on those doubling gigs when a reed dries out due to the room humidity etc.
Probably the most useful saxophone video on the face of the planet. And trust me. That's with me seeing a ton of your videos (And you have so many amazing vids. I've been playing for more that 2 years and knew only about half of the tips. I definitely want to check out your reeds soon and I just cant thank you enough. I've probably learned about 95% of all my saxophone information from you. You inspire me and have taught me about everything I know. Thank you so much Mr. Metcaf!
Awesome ideas! I’ve sealed the vamp of the reed in different ways over the years. Using the handle of the Geeklet is super practical. Burnishing it is so practical.
Thank you, Jay. I've had a problem with my soprano for months and was too lazy to get my reed geek out and file the table. Today, all my problems vanished! Also, I spent more time aligning the reed properly, which probably helped. It seems sopranos are much more sensitive to poor reed seals than other saxes.
Great video, I'll add that some reeds can benefit for a longer soak, Rico Orange Box reeds I find this so. I also use a reed geek to prep my reeds and advocate that for everyone. Buy some Listerine plain mouthwash and dip your reed in after each use, it'll reduce potential mold issues.
Interesting discussion about reed strength. When I was a senior in high school in 1981, I bought Vic Olivieri (a Spanish brand -don’t think they’re around anymore) in #5 and used a reed knife to tailor them. Can’t wait to try yours Jay!
Tip #10 (8:42) and Tip #14 (11:16) can cancel each other out. Filing the table smooth can scrape away your pencil marks, which also don't show when the reed is in a case. I mark my reeds on the other side with a sharp "scratch awl" or the point of some scissors. I can darken the marks with a fine point non-permanent felt tip marker and the marks show while the reed is still in the case.
Quick tip for bari on synthetic reeds, if the reed is getting to the ends of it's life and isn't sealing properly, but you don't quite have another/or emergency cases, just put a rubber band or hair tie around it and tighten it on the bridge of the reed, it will help it seal properly.
While it feels a little foolish to make a public, un-soliticited testimony, I just opened a box of Better Sax reeds, selected one at random, and was shocked at how much I enjoyed this reed! I usually spend a lot of time breaking in, massaging, sanding and Reed-Geeking to get reeds to the point where they feel and sound good to me- if they ever get there, and this one, right out of the box, was perfect! The tone was great throughout the range, from subtone to altissimo- nice and clear with good projection, but still fat. After playing it for an hour, I went back and play-tested the few broken in reeds I had been alternating between, and there was no comparison. I don't know if every reed in the box is as good as this one, but if so, you're definitely on to something!
Sometimes, after flattening the table with my "reed-geek-like" tool, I rub the table of the reed on a piece of paper (on a very flat surface, like glass) to smooth and seal it. Also the heel of the reed. I use a reed case that has a small sponge that I soak in 90% grain alcohol to keep the reeds (more or less) sterile; at least they don't get moldy.
I've been soaking my reeds in hydrogen peroxide after every playing for many years, squeeze them on a glass surface and put them right back into my reed case. Never had any mold, and they last for ages. And frankly, even the cheap no name reeds work pretty well for me, with a bit of sanding perhaps
Another tip: If you’re having trouble stabilising your altissimo for some reason, it could be because there is a slight build up of crud on the bottom the reed in the window. Simply wipe it off, swab the mouthpiece and boom watch it open up again.
Great tips....but I put the ligature on first and then slide the reed on...also soaking the reed in a weak Hydrogen peroxide solution then rinsing can help clean reed and prevent mould alternativiey you could try a weak vinegar solution or maybe vodka.... marca reeds are great...I'm looking forward to try these
Excelent. About not using the plástic boxes. I relembrar the firsts reeds I bout With no plastic boxes but With no thick pieces of paper to dry them after use
What a refreshing video . Thank you 🙏 Fantastic message about plastic cases , I always wondered why someone would not see the waste . You did bravo 👏💪🇦🇺🦘🎷🥂
Hey Jay! Congratulation's on producing your own reeds. That is so cool. Also, I am totally with you on the plastic message you want to send out! Enough plastic! Where can I get my hands on these in Spain?
Thanks for eliminating the single use plastics. If we can all play you piece in small ways it will have a large collective effect. Hopefully other manufacturers will follow your lead. I went to purchase some, but living on the other side of the world means that the shipping is an additional 2/3 of the price! Nothing to do with you or the product I know, just a consequence of living in a great part of the world :) Hopefully there will be a local distributer in Australia.
On the topic of the plastic sleeving on reeds which they come in, recently when I bought the better sax alto I wanted to get a case of reeds to last me a while but I wanted to also experiment on some new reeds that I've never heard of. So I went on the thomann reeds section and basically bought the first packet I saw which I had never heard of. So I bought a packet of Gonzalez Local 627. Never heard of em and just wanted to try something new. When they arrived they came in a pretty much the same overall carboard packet that a set of 10 reeds comes in but the actual reed sleeve/holder was literally a paper/cardboard sleeve, something I've never seen. Also the reeds play great, was really surprised of the quality.
Jay I like that reeds are not in plastic and not sealed in foil. Since this began the reeds I use always look green and not aged as they were back in the day. So , I currently use Java Reds #3 on tenor. what Better Sax reeds would best for me? Thanks for your great posts!
Great stuff! I personally am more of a Lawrence-Gwozdz-style classical player, so I’m more into the sound of a rock-hard reed, narrow tip-opening, and cavernous chamber-size mouthpiece. Everybody’s different of course, but that’s just where my personal tastes lie. In terms of aligning the reed on the mouthpiece, I find that it’s often easier to _feel_ than to _see_ , especially side-to-side alignment.
I live in a suuuuuuuper dry region and largely use synthetic. When I use cane, I use chapstick to “seal” it. It’s only beeswax and I only use a touch on the vamp to slow down drying time
I have been using Legere reeds for years now and personally would never go back to the aggrevation of dealing with cane reeds, and I have always like the quality of sound.
One more tip for the OCs among us. I will set my dry reeds outside on my balcony on a flat surface ( I use stone coasters) and let the sun bake them for a bit - natural UV light helps decrease unwanted organisms. Need a protected area so they don't wind up in a bird's nest, or missiles in the wind.
These look great ... in Canada .. can you sell them through Long & McQuade across Canada or Twiggs Musique in Quebec? Unless you have a location already. Thanks.
Do you have your own version of the Geeklet thing? I want one but it’s literally like $50 (US) and like every time I think about it I end up just being like “eh I might as well buy like two boxes of reeds at that point”
Congrats and kudos on the eco-friendly packaging. How do your reeds compare to other reeds in strength? Is your 2 closer to a Vandoren traditional 2 or a Rico Royale 2?
Great video man and I’d love to buy your stuff but it’s extremely expensive, I get that these things can get expensive but I really want that reed case just don’t have enough money for it. I will definitely get the geeklet though. Wonderful video + awesome tips!
Sampler packs? I have switched reeds just a few times. Each time I was able to buy a sampler pack to try out the different strengths (and any different cuts). Thanks.
yes, good suggestion!, and tasty too! i've used alcohol before, but somehow i don't like the effect on the reeds, i have hydrogen peroxide that i use to treat them occaisionally. seems best in my enviornment to let them dry out between sessions...@@davetea1
Hey! i just got a new sax and i want to learn the main lick from death by glamour. its an amazing song and i would like you to make a video on how to play it!
Jay you are awesome, thanks for all you do sir! I have been a Plasticover user for decades, being a doubler with reed-drying and warping issures before. They used to work great for me and lasted well. Lately I notice that some of these might play perfectly right out of the box, but literally ONLY that first time. Sound and feel completely different at the next try. I have been using 2 strength with tip opening 7. What do you recommend for the drying/doubling issue and what are your thoughts on Plasticover pray tell?
Good to know Jay, I was doubting my sanity and spending a fortune on those reeds every month. But I will bet 10 gigs’ salary (wow only $600 these days) you’d play great using a shaved-down Popsicle stick!
Interesting video, as usual. I’m so happy that I found the Legere Signature for my tenor. My guess is that Vandoren is the leading reed producer. What do you do to a cane reed to make it better than Vandoren?
Need water and a cup to soak your reed in at a gig? 35mm film cups work great for reeds up to tenor size. Put fresh water in it before the gig. Snap on the cap (which is waterproof), toss it in your case and you've got clean water to soak your reeds wherever you go. It takes up virtually no space. (Just remember to empty it when you get home.)
If 2 is good enough for Michael Brecker then it’s good enough for me. I’ve been on 2 or 2.5 since high school since it’s easier to play. I read somewhere that Gato Barbieri played a 1.5?
I play a clarinet and a 'contra -alto' clarinet. I remember when Rico reeds for the clarinet came in a small box, with 25 of them loose in the box. Now they come in those little plastic containers. In addition to creating waste, I suspect it also pushes up the price of the reeds due to the extra material and handling.
Here's a tip but it might hurt your sales...living in Cancun ,Mexico ,the humidity rots your reed fast, so I thought about ways to fix that.Guess what?... Don't throw away your plastic cover, instead put the reed back immediately and then into a zip lock bag and into the freezer..The next day it is where you left off..I now play reeds for up to 2 years..In the last 18 years I ve used maybe 1 or two boxes per horn...Also have one for rainy humid days and one for dry days.
In the 80s when I was a kid saxophonist, reeds used to come in cardboard sleeves. I was a Rico user then, and I still am today using Rico products exclusively. Look up some of the horn players who used that brand. Sucks they are wasting so much plastic these days. Petroleum product! Ugh. I like soft reeds, maybe I'll pick up Better Sax brand if I see them at the music store. So, what are your thoughts on creating a custom synthetic reed to compete with legere? (plastic reeds are a cheat - recommended for beginners!)
I love the combo of a really hard reed with a small tip opening. Is anyone else like this? I’ve seen most people like softer reeds with big tip openings but I prefer the opposite. People generally tell me that the combo of big tip opening/soft reed is like the best for jazz. I feel like harder reeds last longer (they don’t but reeds get softer as you play them more and I don’t like that)
Tip #15 - avoid all these issues and use synthetics. I recommend: D'Addario Venn; Harry Hartmann Fiberreed (Carbon Onyx, Copper Carbon Classic or Hemp); Legere Signature to name a few of my favorites. You can then concentrate on you instead of your equipment. Just a thought from someone who's been playing since the 1960's.
@bobpremecz5429 I recommend using synthetic reeds for Marching Band and any other situation where you have a long time in between songs where you play the sax. Otherwise, I prefer the sound and the feel of cane reeds. I've been playing since 1978.
If you like synthetic reeds use those. All of these tips apply to those with the exception of soaking in water. I have tried every synthetic reed out there and find them all to be quite uncomfortable to play. Many others feel the same way and that is why most people will always play cane reeds (at least until they improve the synthetics a bit more)
I'm looking forward getting your reeds in Germany . Thank you for the tipps. A big help for me is using the Vandooren hygro reedcase and adjust them with the BG ligature. (LD series) I don't have any problems with my reeds since then.
Have kept 6 -7 new reeds in a watertight jar, half filled with Barbados Rum, for over 3 years. Just take one out of the jar, and it is immediately in perfect condition to play , and both tastes and smells lovely as a bonus. Works like a charm actually.
I just started doing this. Works amazingly well! I use 40% alcohol/vodka. It also sanitizes the reed and destroys the saliva enzymes that eventually kills a reed.
@@jamie9455 Exactly, so alcohol content should be higher if possible, preferrably single cask rum 60vol % or higher.... ! I used standard Plantation Barbados Rum at 40 vol % though, and it seemed to work just fine over 3 years at least!
@@vespass225 i could bump it up to 60, 70+ with a bit of 100% ethanol
Hmmm Tequila I think may be in my mix now 😆
I'm not too familiar with alcohol, but isnt run sugar-derived, and thus sweeter than other spirits? A multiple-pass distilled, filtered spirit is what would be preferable I'd suppose.
Here's one more hack, and an interesting note. The hack: If you have a great reed that is fading, drop it into a glass with Hydrogen Peroxide. You'll typically see it bubble and fizz. Rinse the reed in plain water, then its ready to play again. The interesting note: if you just can't seem to find a good reed, maybe it isn't the reed! If it's been a long time since your repair person has done maintenance on your sax, it might be leaking in funny places and ways. The leaks sneak up on you over time, and when they get bad enough, everything is a struggle that feels a lot like a bad reed, but is actually your horn telling you that it needs some TLC.
I also use 3% hydrogen peroxide. Instead of water, I just presoak in the it as you would water. The reed is rejuvenated and don’t have a mould problem.
Isopropyl alcohol works better in my experience, the hydrogen typically destroys more of the cane matter and decreases the overall lifespan while the alcohol gets rid of the same gunk with minimal changes to the cane
Both are excellent tips, yes. Actually, I heard about the hydrogen-peroxide tip in regard to bassoon reeds (as feisty as sax reeds can be, bassoon reeds are even more temperamental!). However, make sure that you use hydrogen-peroxide for wound care, and _not_ that for bleaching hair!
@@mr88cet I’m primarily a bassoon player lol! Still enjoy saxophone though 😎😎😎
Hydrogen peroxide will bring reeds back to life!! I have done this for years!
I’m new (8 months) to the sax at 66 years old and haven’t even begun any improv research, this was great and it will launch me into looking at those areas. After watching your video, i will now beging looking at the cords for the songs i am playing. I haven’t done any blue yet, although perhaps I should start. Thanks.
Here’s a tip for doing solo’s: Jump around the notes of the scale that corresponds to your current key signature in the song. It makes all the difference and don’t be afraid to use the full range of your sax while you’re at it!
@BetterSax Great lesson, Jay! Using warm water makes the reed saturate faster than cool water. Instead of a glass of water, I use an empty prescription container. I screw on the top and tip the bottle on its side, so the entire reed is soaking at once.
I was fortunate enough to study with Joe Allard and he was never one to soak reeds when new. He would moisten the tip at first. His reason was " they are going to get wet enough when you play them" He was big on working with them as you break them in, flattening the table as needed, sealing them with just white paper rubbing the open tubes of the reed to close the vamp and table. Put the ligature on first then put the reed on butt end first to avoid hitting the tip with the ligature. I like to cut a little rut into the bark from vamp to butt down the center to let the bark flex better as the body of the reed soaks up moisture. All this and a lot of chanting to the reed gods for their blessings on the new reed. 🎷
Thanks a lot Jay for mentioning Tip #1 🙏 Playing reeds that are too hard is definitely still a big issue and should be addressed as much as possible.
Yes, I got over the idea of "harder is better" many years ago when I tried softer reeds and found I like the playability and extra brightness much better.
I heard that Pete Christlieb (Deacon Blues) played #1.5 reeds with an 8 or 9 tip opening mouthpiece. Huge sound!
My pet theory is tutors (including mine) were actually just trying to caution us to stick with softs until we knew what we were doing, but that came across as "advanced players use harder reeds" rather than "some advanced players use hard reeds when suitable".
I've heard that high notes are easier with harder reeds. Is that true? I can't really tell myself, I'm just bad at high notes in general.
Yeah that's true.With harder reeds you have more stability in the higher register. But low notes become more difficult to play at the same time@@mikeciul8599
Thanks for the tips. Just getting back into playing from 25 years on break. Will be watching more of your videos since I just found your channel which is a treasure trove of information.
Bravo! No more plastic! What a relief! Excellent move man! A good enough reason to order and try out your reeds.
A simple trick to use a reed that is too hard: Wet it real good and then gently fold the tip towards the mouthpiece direction, making the distance between the reed and the mouthpiece smaller.... Gently so it doesn't brake....
as a kid in my school's marching band, i actually find the "single-use plastics" to be really nice as they act as little cases that stop your reeds from breaking in the case and they can let you be able to tell which reeds you have used recently since you can write on them with permanent marker.
edit: didn't see the reed case bit before typing this, but i still do think the plastic cases do have uses
I just got my first saxophone last week and thought the plastic case for the reed was just for the reed that came with the sax. Wow, didn't know they all come in single plastic containers. I like your approach if delivery and cutting down on plastic.
And I've been watching your videos all weekend. Love the content and love the sound of the saxophone.
Appreciate all the tips, and am especially grateful for the plea to ditch the plastic! If, as musicians, we're about bringing beauty and joy into the world, we need to do what we can to preserve that world. I would order a box of Better Sax reeds for that reason alone, and the hope of a better reed to play on makes it a double win.
Great that you are offering reeds enviromental friendly
Excellent video, Jay! We're eagerly anticipating adding your reeds to our inventory. We wholeheartedly agree with your stance on the necessity for reed manufacturers to reduce their use of plastic! - jamie
Thanks Jamie! Will get reeds to you guys as soon as we can!
These are by far my favorite reeds ever.
Great to hear!
Couple more tips:
Use a prescription jar or tube to store your reeds. I place a little original formula listerine in there to kill mould and stop your saliva bacteria from deteriorating your reeds, but don’t over do it. just a splash. You could use a tiny piece of sponge to hold the listerine in the tube, but change it every other week.
For warped reeds, just place it on the mouthpiece (if it isn’t already there) and hold the reed closed against the mouthpiece with your regular embrouchure.
With a little saliva you can blow as hard as possible (without letting the reed vibrate to make a sound), this will force the saliva back into the pores of the reed tip area and allow the reed to go back into shape against the mouthpiece.
Works a treat on those doubling gigs when a reed dries out due to the room humidity etc.
Probably the most useful saxophone video on the face of the planet. And trust me. That's with me seeing a ton of your videos (And you have so many amazing vids. I've been playing for more that 2 years and knew only about half of the tips. I definitely want to check out your reeds soon and I just cant thank you enough. I've probably learned about 95% of all my saxophone information from you. You inspire me and have taught me about everything I know. Thank you so much Mr. Metcaf!
Great to hear this from you!
Thank you, Jay! I will spread the word with my students and fellow sax players. I just bought a box! Great reeds and no plastic waste! Thank you!
Thank you!
Respect for ditching plastic and using organic cane! Two major reasons to try your reeds Jay.
Awesome ideas! I’ve sealed the vamp of the reed in different ways over the years. Using the handle of the Geeklet is super practical. Burnishing it is so practical.
Thank you, Jay. I've had a problem with my soprano for months and was too lazy to get my reed geek out and file the table. Today, all my problems vanished! Also, I spent more time aligning the reed properly, which probably helped. It seems sopranos are much more sensitive to poor reed seals than other saxes.
Marca makes very nice reeds. Totally agree with you about single-use plastic madness! Love ya’ Jay.
Great video, I'll add that some reeds can benefit for a longer soak, Rico Orange Box reeds I find this so. I also use a reed geek to prep my reeds and advocate that for everyone. Buy some Listerine plain mouthwash and dip your reed in after each use, it'll reduce potential mold issues.
Thanks Jay. Love the tips. The soft reed tip was a surprise.
Interesting discussion about reed strength. When I was a senior in high school in 1981, I bought Vic Olivieri (a Spanish brand -don’t think they’re around anymore) in #5 and used a reed knife to tailor them. Can’t wait to try yours Jay!
Yes! I’m definitely gonna get my hands on some of these reeds! Thanks Jay!
Love the eco friendly packaging.
Tip #10 (8:42) and Tip #14 (11:16) can cancel each other out. Filing the table smooth can scrape away your pencil marks, which also don't show when the reed is in a case. I mark my reeds on the other side with a sharp "scratch awl" or the point of some scissors. I can darken the marks with a fine point non-permanent felt tip marker and the marks show while the reed is still in the case.
Quick tip for bari on synthetic reeds, if the reed is getting to the ends of it's life and isn't sealing properly, but you don't quite have another/or emergency cases, just put a rubber band or hair tie around it and tighten it on the bridge of the reed, it will help it seal properly.
Thanks for that information, Mr Metcalf. It is very useful.
Yes!
Great packaging!
Hey jay you should do a review on some SaxDakota horns. I recently just got one and I really liked it and I wanna know how you feel about them.
Great video!! Thanks for all this important tips.
Congrats for avoid plastic😊
While it feels a little foolish to make a public, un-soliticited testimony, I just opened a box of Better Sax reeds, selected one at random, and was shocked at how much I enjoyed this reed! I usually spend a lot of time breaking in, massaging, sanding and Reed-Geeking to get reeds to the point where they feel and sound good to me- if they ever get there, and this one, right out of the box, was perfect! The tone was great throughout the range, from subtone to altissimo- nice and clear with good projection, but still fat. After playing it for an hour, I went back and play-tested the few broken in reeds I had been alternating between, and there was no comparison. I don't know if every reed in the box is as good as this one, but if so, you're definitely on to something!
So glad to hear this! Thanks for trying the reeds.
Just came back to playing the sax in 8th grade bc I stopped in 7th, feeling great and I can enjoy learning from your content again!
Sometimes, after flattening the table with my "reed-geek-like" tool, I rub the table of the reed on a piece of paper (on a very flat surface, like glass) to smooth and seal it. Also the heel of the reed. I use a reed case that has a small sponge that I soak in 90% grain alcohol to keep the reeds (more or less) sterile; at least they don't get moldy.
I've been soaking my reeds in hydrogen peroxide after every playing for many years, squeeze them on a glass surface and put them right back into my reed case. Never had any mold, and they last for ages.
And frankly, even the cheap no name reeds work pretty well for me, with a bit of sanding perhaps
Awesome the non plastic package 👌🏻
Did your tips are good for clarinet too? Thanks
Yes they are!
I would love if you could release a bari one, i play bari and jazz and would love to use these reeds in my jazz.
will order them this week
I definitely plan on getting some of your reeds!
Another tip:
If you’re having trouble stabilising your altissimo for some reason, it could be because there is a slight build up of crud on the bottom the reed in the window. Simply wipe it off, swab the mouthpiece and boom watch it open up again.
Great tips....but I put the ligature on first and then slide the reed on...also soaking the reed in a weak Hydrogen peroxide solution then rinsing can help clean reed and prevent mould alternativiey you could try a weak vinegar solution or maybe vodka.... marca reeds are great...I'm looking forward to try these
I've been using a piece of brown bag on the table and vamp. Works pretty well for me.
What is the ligature you are using? (@ 6:24). Great video BTW!
Ishimori
@@bettersax Thanks, Jay!
Dear great teacher, when material for soprano saxophone? Isn't it a bit forgotten? I appreciate your fabulous work
Coming soon!
Excelent. About not using the plástic boxes. I relembrar the firsts reeds I bout With no plastic boxes but With no thick pieces of paper to dry them after use
Strength comparison chart? Where do we find this? Thanks
So glad your packaging in environmental friendly packaging.
Reed strength comparison chart here bettersax.com/product/bettersax-alto-sax-jazz-cut-reeds/
Great video. Thanks!
Jay many thanks for your info could u show closely how to place and respect the distancebetwen the Reed and the tip of the mouthpiece please
What a refreshing video . Thank you 🙏 Fantastic message about plastic cases , I always wondered why someone would not see the waste . You did bravo 👏💪🇦🇺🦘🎷🥂
Can you tell us how they compare to other popular brands? Are They brighter/darker than rigotti gold boston sax reeds?
On the BetterSax reed webpage there is a helpful reed comparison chart.
Chart is only about hardness not what I was asking @@ScottCampbellSaxophone
Amen! on the single use plastic!
Another great vid
Very good tips, thank you Jay
Ready to try it - but not for the shipping costs.... Will you cooperate with Thomann for the Reeds too ?
Yes coming very soon to Thomann
Reeds that not only sound great but are also environmentally friendly and good for the planet?
SIGN ME UP!
Do you ever plan on making bari sax ones? If so i’d probably buy some
Yes we are working on them.
Hi Jay, when will your reeds be available in Germany / Europe? My Amazon doesn't "do" them yet ...
Coming to Thomann in October!
Hey Jay im just curious about the plans for the future because i play the bari and i was wondering about reeds and stuff.
Will certainly try some of these Jay. Also, is that a Wood Stone ligature you are using on the Burnin' mouthpiece (trick no. 6 in the video)?
Great! Yes it is.
Thanks Jay - good luck with the reed launch@@bettersax
Hey Jay! Congratulation's on producing your own reeds. That is so cool. Also, I am totally with you on the plastic message you want to send out! Enough plastic! Where can I get my hands on these in Spain?
Thanks! They will be available on Thomann in a couple weeks. Will let everyone know.
Thanks for eliminating the single use plastics. If we can all play you piece in small ways it will have a large collective effect. Hopefully other manufacturers will follow your lead.
I went to purchase some, but living on the other side of the world means that the shipping is an additional 2/3 of the price! Nothing to do with you or the product I know, just a consequence of living in a great part of the world :) Hopefully there will be a local distributer in Australia.
We will try to get them in Australia soon for you!
On the topic of the plastic sleeving on reeds which they come in, recently when I bought the better sax alto I wanted to get a case of reeds to last me a while but I wanted to also experiment on some new reeds that I've never heard of. So I went on the thomann reeds section and basically bought the first packet I saw which I had never heard of. So I bought a packet of Gonzalez Local 627. Never heard of em and just wanted to try something new. When they arrived they came in a pretty much the same overall carboard packet that a set of 10 reeds comes in but the actual reed sleeve/holder was literally a paper/cardboard sleeve, something I've never seen. Also the reeds play great, was really surprised of the quality.
Thanks for the good tips! Interesting video! 👍 But when I move the reed closer to the tip of the mouthpiece the reed feels a little bit softer!
Hi Jay, have you got a UK distributor of your reeds so I can give them a try please. Kindest regards Kenny
Coming to sax.co.uk in September
Jay I like that reeds are not in plastic and not sealed in foil. Since this began the reeds I use always look green and not aged as they were back in the day. So , I currently use Java Reds #3 on tenor. what Better Sax reeds would best for me? Thanks for your great posts!
Great stuff!
I personally am more of a Lawrence-Gwozdz-style classical player, so I’m more into the sound of a rock-hard reed, narrow tip-opening, and cavernous chamber-size mouthpiece. Everybody’s different of course, but that’s just where my personal tastes lie.
In terms of aligning the reed on the mouthpiece, I find that it’s often easier to _feel_ than to _see_ , especially side-to-side alignment.
I live in a suuuuuuuper dry region and largely use synthetic. When I use cane, I use chapstick to “seal” it.
It’s only beeswax and I only use a touch on the vamp to slow down drying time
I will buy these! I'd buy them even just for the plastic-less packaging (thank you!). But I'm also genuinely curious about them.
Awesome!
I have been using Legere reeds for years now and personally would never go back to the
aggrevation of dealing with cane reeds, and I have always like the quality of sound.
One more tip for the OCs among us. I will set my dry reeds outside on my balcony on a flat surface ( I use stone coasters) and let the sun bake them for a bit - natural UV light helps decrease unwanted organisms. Need a protected area so they don't wind up in a bird's nest, or missiles in the wind.
That's a great idea. I'm gonna try it with my homesoap unit.
These look great ... in Canada .. can you sell them through Long & McQuade across Canada or Twiggs Musique in Quebec? Unless you have a location already. Thanks.
Coming soon to both of those shops!
@@bettersax Great stuff. They will give you an opportunity to reach most Sax players. King and McQuade do not carry BSS.
Do you have your own version of the Geeklet thing? I want one but it’s literally like $50 (US) and like every time I think about it I end up just being like “eh I might as well buy like two boxes of reeds at that point”
Congrats and kudos on the eco-friendly packaging. How do your reeds compare to other reeds in strength? Is your 2 closer to a Vandoren traditional 2 or a Rico Royale 2?
On the BetterSax reed webpage there is a helpful reed comparison chart. Super helpful!
Great video man and I’d love to buy your stuff but it’s extremely expensive, I get that these things can get expensive but I really want that reed case just don’t have enough money for it. I will definitely get the geeklet though. Wonderful video + awesome tips!
Do you have a blog up with all your product recommendations? Reed clipper, swabs, etc. thanks for your great videos
Yea, follow the link in the description to find the reeds and other accessories.
Wait the plastic reed holders are single use?
Sampler packs? I have switched reeds just a few times. Each time I was able to buy a sampler pack to try out the different strengths (and any different cuts). Thanks.
gonna give the reeds and reedcase a try! I've tried a lot of things to keep mold away without having the reeds dry out too much. not an easy fix!
Try a 50-50 mix of vodka and water. The reeds get a bit of a high, but the mold goes bye-bye!~
yes, good suggestion!, and tasty too! i've used alcohol before, but somehow i don't like the effect on the reeds, i have hydrogen peroxide that i use to treat them occaisionally. seems best in my enviornment to let them dry out between sessions...@@davetea1
I don’t see Better Sax soprano reeds. Will you be releasing those as well?
Yes!
@@bettersax Great, thanks 👍
Hey! i just got a new sax and i want to learn the main lick from death by glamour. its an amazing song and i would like you to make a video on how to play it!
Jay you are awesome, thanks for all you do sir! I have been a Plasticover user for decades, being a doubler with reed-drying and warping issures before. They used to work great for me and lasted well. Lately I notice that some of these might play perfectly right out of the box, but literally ONLY that first time. Sound and feel completely different at the next try. I have been using 2 strength with tip opening 7. What do you recommend for the drying/doubling issue and what are your thoughts on Plasticover pray tell?
I had the same experience with plastic cover reeds.
Good to know Jay, I was doubting my sanity and spending a fortune on those reeds every month. But I will bet 10 gigs’ salary (wow only $600 these days) you’d play great using a shaved-down Popsicle stick!
Gotta get the bari reeds soon 🎷
Jay, you should review the new Dickerson Resonator Ligature - it is a ligature and resonator combined - everyone is asking about it
Interesting video, as usual. I’m so happy that I found the Legere Signature for my tenor. My guess is that Vandoren is the leading reed producer. What do you do to a cane reed to make it better than Vandoren?
Jay: Are your reeds same as other reeds? With one flat cut across face down to tip?
Thanks for the tips they helped a lot
Need water and a cup to soak your reed in at a gig? 35mm film cups work great for reeds up to tenor size. Put fresh water in it before the gig. Snap on the cap (which is waterproof), toss it in your case and you've got clean water to soak your reeds wherever you go. It takes up virtually no space. (Just remember to empty it when you get home.)
If 2 is good enough for Michael Brecker then it’s good enough for me. I’ve been on 2 or 2.5 since high school since it’s easier to play. I read somewhere that Gato Barbieri played a 1.5?
I play a clarinet and a 'contra -alto' clarinet. I remember when Rico reeds for the clarinet came in a small box, with 25 of them loose in the box. Now they come in those little plastic containers. In addition to creating waste, I suspect it also pushes up the price of the reeds due to the extra material and handling.
Do you have a strength chart to compare to other brands?
On the BetterSax reed webpage there is a helpful reed comparison chart.
Here's a tip but it might hurt your sales...living in Cancun ,Mexico ,the humidity rots your reed fast, so I thought about ways to fix that.Guess what?... Don't throw away your plastic cover, instead put the reed back immediately and then into a zip lock bag and into the freezer..The next day it is where you left off..I now play reeds for up to 2 years..In the last 18 years I ve used maybe 1 or two boxes per horn...Also have one for rainy humid days and one for dry days.
Hello
A nice feature but where can I buy it in Sweden?♥ I follow you on UA-cam. Greetings Kurt.
Coming to Thomann very soon
In the 80s when I was a kid saxophonist, reeds used to come in cardboard sleeves. I was a Rico user then, and I still am today using Rico products exclusively. Look up some of the horn players who used that brand. Sucks they are wasting so much plastic these days. Petroleum product! Ugh.
I like soft reeds, maybe I'll pick up Better Sax brand if I see them at the music store.
So, what are your thoughts on creating a custom synthetic reed to compete with legere? (plastic reeds are a cheat - recommended for beginners!)
I love the combo of a really hard reed with a small tip opening. Is anyone else like this? I’ve seen most people like softer reeds with big tip openings but I prefer the opposite. People generally tell me that the combo of big tip opening/soft reed is like the best for jazz. I feel like harder reeds last longer (they don’t but reeds get softer as you play them more and I don’t like that)
Tip #15 - avoid all these issues and use synthetics. I recommend: D'Addario Venn; Harry Hartmann Fiberreed (Carbon Onyx, Copper Carbon Classic or Hemp); Legere Signature to name a few of my favorites. You can then concentrate on you instead of your equipment. Just a thought from someone who's been playing since the 1960's.
@bobpremecz5429 I recommend using synthetic reeds for Marching Band and any other situation where you have a long time in between songs where you play the sax. Otherwise, I prefer the sound and the feel of cane reeds. I've been playing since 1978.
If you like synthetic reeds use those. All of these tips apply to those with the exception of soaking in water. I have tried every synthetic reed out there and find them all to be quite uncomfortable to play. Many others feel the same way and that is why most people will always play cane reeds (at least until they improve the synthetics a bit more)
Where do we order your reeds, as well as the geeklet?
Order here geni.us/reed
I'm looking forward getting your reeds in Germany . Thank you for the tipps. A big help for me is using the Vandooren hygro reedcase and adjust them with the BG ligature. (LD series) I don't have any problems with my reeds since then.
Soon available at Thomann
@@bettersax perfect.Thats my dealer anyway.Thank you.....
Hey jay! Will there also be bettersax bariton sax reeds someday?:)
heey Jay, have you considered mixed reed boxes? A 10 pack 5 (2.5) 5 (3) for example. Saludos desde PR! :)