How to Choose the Right Reed Strength
Wrong reed strength is one of the most common setup problems we see. The good news: it's easy to fix once you know what to look for. See our last blog post on mouthpiece tip openings for more info.
Why Reed Strength Matters
We do a lot of repairs, and meet with many musicians. Many times when a player thinks something is wrong with their instrument, the real issue is the reed. It's either too soft or too hard for their setup—and it makes everything harder than it needs to be.
The right reed strength gives you:
- A full, clean tone
- Crisp, easy tonguing
- A wide dynamic range—from soft to loud
- A response that doesn't fight you
We carry reeds from Boston Sax Shop and ForeStone—both are great options worth trying.
Signs Your Reed Isn't Right
Reed Too Hard
- Sound is airy, buzzy, or fuzzy
- Low notes are hard to get out
- Tonguing feels difficult
- You have to clamp down hard with your embouchure
- Feels like you're biting through your lip
- Response feels delayed
Fix: try a reed that's half a strength softer
Reed Too Soft
- Feels gummy
- Reed seems to close off against the mouthpiece
- Tonguing feels slow—reed doesn't spring back fast enough
- Sound goes blatty or loses focus
Fix: try a reed that's half a strength harder
A harder reed doesn't mean better. It just means more muscle required.
The "Harder Is Better" Myth
Most players start on soft reeds because that's what beginners need. As they improve, they move to harder reeds. Over time this creates the idea that harder reeds are for advanced players. That's not true.
A harder reed just needs more strength or air to vibrate. If you've been using a hard reed and your playing feels like a fight, try dropping half a strength. It can open up your tone, improve your articulation, and make the horn feel like a different instrument.
How Your Reed Needs Change Over Time
Start soft (1.5–2). Your embouchure isn't strong yet. A soft reed is easier to vibrate and lets you focus on tone and technique.
You've built some muscle but not full control yet. Many players move to a harder reed to compensate.
Now you have both strength and control. This is a good time to try experimenting with various reed strengths, both softer and harder. A slightly softer reed may give you more flexibility and often a better sound. You might be surprised what opens up.
Reed and Mouthpiece Work Together
When you change mouthpieces, your reed may no longer be the right fit. The same reed that worked great before might feel too stiff or too floppy on a new mouthpiece. Always re-test your reed strength any time you switch mouthpieces.
Try Reeds Before Mouthpieces
Reeds are cheap. Mouthpieces aren't. If something feels off, try a different reed strength first. Half a step in either direction can make a big difference—and it costs almost nothing to find out.