As I always say, saxophones are complicated instruments with many parts operating together to give a final output. And despite this contributing to how marvelous they can sound, especially as the player gets more experiences, it’s also a part of why multiple things could go wrong. One of those things is when your horn suddenly … Read more
In previous articles, we’ve covered some of the Vandoren reeds, including the Java Green, Java Red, Traditional, and V12, all of which are undoubtedly great choices, as Vandoren is well-established in the area of reed-making. As the Vandoren V21 proved quite popular among clarinet players, the company has decided to expand the line to soprano, … Read more
Making music is for everyone, but making professional music requires high-quality audio, and that’s where a mixer is essential. Choosing a mixer can be a little daunting at first, what with the many options on the market and needing a unit that is simple enough for a novice yet advanced enough to enable progression and … Read more
Every saxophonist knows that the smallest differences can greatly affect the way the sax produces its music and tones, and the material of the mouthpiece definitely plays a role. When it comes to mouthpieces, you can find metal ones or hard rubber ones, which can sometimes be referred to as ebonite mouthpieces. Metal vs. Hard … Read more
When it comes to reeds, the smallest details can make the biggest of differences. This includes being soft or hard, filed or unfiled, and of course, being made of plastic or wood. Plastic Reeds vs. Wood Reeds: The Short Answer Firstly, let’s tackle the fact that they can also be referred to as synthetic and … Read more
If you’re checking out these two popular reed brands, you must be having a hard time deciding between the Rico vs. Vandoren reeds. If that’s the case, you can rest assured that by the end of this article, you’ll have formed a better idea of the similarities and differences to help you reach a final … Read more
Both the Java Red and Java Green reeds are jazz ones, which means they’re similar in that they have thicker tips and hearts than other types. If you’re looking for more projection and edge as well as more accentuated upper tones, either of them would serve you well. Does that mean that there’s no difference? … Read more
If you don’t know the difference between filed vs. unfiled reeds, you won’t be able to make an informed decision when you’re shopping for your next reed. They have different shapes, and as we know, shapes and sizes make all the difference when it comes to sound production in musical instruments. So, without further ado, … Read more
Synthetic reeds are a nice alternative to cane ones as they spare you the need for maintenance, and you can skip looking through a whole box of them to find just the right one. Though you might miss out on a one-in-a-million excellent cane reed, you can rest assured about your reed’s consistency. Among the … Read more
The sound your saxophone produces is highly dependent on the sizes of open chambers of different parts of the instrument, but when it comes to the reed, it’s about how it vibrates against the mouthpiece. The material, length, and cut of the reed affect how the music sounds, and that’s why understanding how each of … Read more