Why are there different sized reeds for a tenor sax mouthpiece?
Reeds are commercially available in a vast array of brands, styles, and strength. Each player experiments with reeds of different strength (hardnesses) to find which strength suits his or her mouthpiece and playing style. Strength is usually measured using a numeric scale that ranges from 1 to 5; higher numbers indicate harder (thicker) reeds. Unfortunately, the scale is far from standardized between brands; for example, a Rico #3 reed is decidedly softer than a Vandoren #3. Beginners often start on a 2 or 2.5 reed, moving up to 3 as they gain ability and more muscle control. Advanced players typically use 3.5 to 5, depending on their choice of mouthpiece and individual preference. A few players make their own reeds from “blanks”, but this is time-consuming and usually requires expensive equipment. Many players, however, adjust their reeds by shaving or sanding them. Methods for “breaking in” reeds, caring for reeds, and adjusting reeds are controversial topics among players, and opini
