Basic Saxophone Skills:Reeds Part I

This is the first of a series of articles titled Basic Saxophone Skills that are presently devoted to the conditioning of reeds.

The main ingredient of a saxophonist’s sound is the reed. The reed’s significance is often overlooked by many players, when should be focused on more than any other element of the saxophone. Unprepared reeds lead to all kinds of problems and this article will teach you how to assess your reeds as well as take care of them. Reeds that are played directly from the box cause many problems. Most manufacturers will sell them without taking the time each reed needs devoted to it. Paul Berler discusses a process of “breaking the reeds in” which condition them to last longer and be ready for action when needed.