Ever wrestled with your baritone saxophone, trying to coax out that deep, rich sound, only to have it sputter or squeak? It’s a common frustration for bari players! Finding the perfect reed feels like searching for a hidden treasure. You want that warm, full tone, but the wrong reed can leave you with a thin, reedy sound that just won’t sing.
Choosing the right Bari Sax Reed is crucial for your sound. The wrong strength or cut can make playing feel like a constant battle. You might be unsure about different brands or what “filed” or “unfiled” even means. It’s enough to make any saxophonist throw their hands up in the air!
But don’t worry! This post will clear up the confusion. We’ll dive deep into the world of Bari Sax Reeds, explaining what makes them tick and how to pick the best one for *you*. Get ready to unlock a smoother, more powerful sound on your bari!
Top Bari Sax Reeds Recommendations
- Traditional reeds are known for their excellent response in all registers, allowing a pianissimo attack in even highest notes.
- Extremely flexible, allowing the legato or staccato execution of large intervals while maintaining a richness of tone that gives body and clarity to the sound, which is a hallmark of Vandoren reeds.
- Traditional reeds are available for all clarinets and saxophones in various strengths.
- Every reed sealed in 'Flow Pack' to ensure freshness.
- Bari Sax Reeds: Crafted with beginners and educators in mind, these reeds are designed for ease of play, featuring a traditional blank and profile for ease of response, plus a unfiled cut for a clear sound
- Ideal for Students: The standard among teachers and students for generations, Rico reeds create a perfect seal on the instrument mouthpiece and are designed to reward the student with an immediate sound
- Find Your Expression: Rico is the reed of choice among all levels of clarinetists and saxophonists, played in the world's most respected symphonies, conservatories, and jazz clubs
- Play to Your Highest Potential: We've got reeds for every woodwind from alto, soprano, tenor, baritone and bass saxophone to Bb, Eb, bass and alto clarinet, along with a full selection of mouthpieces, straps, cork grease, reed cases and more
- D'Addario Rico: Designed and manufactured in the USA from naturally-grown cane, our reeds are made with excellence; From D'Addario Rico and Royal to our certified organic Reserve and Select Jazz lines, we've got a reed for every player
- Bari Sax Reeds: Crafted with beginners and educators in mind, these reeds are designed for ease of play, featuring a traditional blank and profile for ease of response, plus a unfiled cut for a clear sound
- Ideal for Students: The standard among teachers and students for generations, Rico reeds create a perfect seal on the instrument mouthpiece and are designed to reward the student with an immediate sound
- Find Your Expression: Rico is the reed of choice among all levels of clarinetists and saxophonists, played in the world's most respected symphonies, conservatories, and jazz clubs
- Play to Your Highest Potential: We've got reeds for every woodwind from alto, soprano, tenor, baritone and bass saxophone to Bb, Eb, bass and alto clarinet, along with a full selection of mouthpieces, straps, cork grease, reed cases and more
- D'Addario Rico: Designed and manufactured in the USA from naturally-grown cane, our reeds are made with excellence; From D'Addario Rico and Royal to our certified organic Reserve and Select Jazz lines, we've got a reed for every player
- Traditional reeds are known for their excellent response in all registers, allowing a pianissimo attack in even highest notes.
- Extremely flexible, allowing the legato or staccato execution of large intervals while maintaining a richness of tone that gives body and clarity to the sound, which is a hallmark of Vandoren reeds.
- Traditional reeds are available for all clarinets and saxophones in various strengths.
- Every reed sealed in 'Flow Pack' to ensure freshness.
- Traditional reeds are known for their excellent response in all registers, allowing a pianissimo attack in even highest notes.
- Extremely flexible, allowing the legato or staccato execution of large intervals while maintaining a richness of tone that gives body and clarity to the sound, which is a hallmark of Vandoren reeds.
- Traditional reeds are available for all clarinets and saxophones in various strengths.
- Every reed sealed in 'Flow Pack' to ensure freshness.
The Frederick L. Hemke reeds in strength 3.0 feature a thinner tip and shorter vamp for easy response combined with a medium spine thickness for a warm sound with good resistance.
Frederick L. Hemke reeds, part of the Rico family of reeds, provide the dark tone favored by many classical and traditional jazz saxophonists. The design is especially well-suited to traditional, round-chambered mouthpieces.
Since the acquisition of Rico by D'Addario & Co., Rico has strengthened its position as the global leader in woodwind reeds and accessories. Rico's state-of-the-art reed research center in Southern California employs a collaboration of agronomists, scientists, and musicians to produce top-quality reeds, including Rico Reserve premium reeds for clarinet and saxophone. Rico reeds are designed to benefit all levels of musicians, from the beginner to the seasoned professional. Many of the world's finest woodwind players perform with Rico reeds, such as Mark Nuccio, Jerry Bergonzi, Chris Potter, Benny Golson, Ernie Watts, Bob Sheppard, Henri Bok, Richie Hawley, Eric Alexander, and many more.
- Shorter vamp for a darker tone
- Strength 3.0, Filed cut, box of 5 reeds
- Balanced, slightly thinner tip for quick response and articulation
- Filed to increase depth in harmonics
- CLEAR AND EXPRESSIVE SOUND. The Signature for saxophone offers exceptional tonal depth and consistency.
- SYNTHETIC FOR DURABILITY AND LONGEVITY. Legere synthetic reeds are not affected by environmental conditions such as high humidity. Legere reeds last longer saving you time and money.
- NO PRECONDITIONING. Legere reeds are ready to play. You won’t need to pre-soak a Legere reed to get the perfect pitch. Ready to play when you are!
- INCLUDES CARRY CASE for easy storage. Keep your Legere reeds in one place and safe from the elements.
- PROFESSIONAL-GRADE DESIGN. Trusted by educators and performers, Légère reeds are crafted to meet the demands of daily playing.
- Combines medium-thick heart, spine and rounded tip of V16 reed with the flexible platte design of the JAVA reed
- Also available in other strengths
- Every reed sealed in 'Flow Pack' to ensure freshness.
- Immediately responsive without sacraficing the brightness or tone quality required for this style of music
- The unique relationship between the heart and tip provides extaordinary color, great response and a durable life
The Ultimate Bari Sax Reed Buying Guide
Choosing the right reed for your baritone saxophone makes a huge difference. A good reed helps you sound great. A bad reed makes playing hard work. This guide helps you pick the perfect bari sax reed.
Key Features to Look For
When you look at reeds, several features matter most. These features affect how the reed vibrates and how easy it is to play.
Reed Strength (Hardness)
- What it is: Reed strength is how thick or stiff the reed is. It is usually numbered (like 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, or 4).
- Why it matters: Softer reeds (lower numbers) vibrate easily. Beginners usually start here. Harder reeds (higher numbers) need more air. Experienced players often prefer them for a bigger sound.
Reed Cut (Tip Shape)
- What it is: This describes the shape of the very tip of the reed where the sound comes out.
- Why it matters: Different cuts change the response time. French cut reeds are thinner at the tip and respond quickly. Traditional or American cut reeds are thicker and often give a warmer sound.
Reed Profile (Heart Thickness)
- What it is: This is the thickness of the center part of the reed, called the heart.
- Why it matters: A thicker heart generally produces a darker, fuller tone. A thinner heart helps create a brighter sound and makes the reed easier to control at softer volumes.
Important Materials
Almost all high-quality bari sax reeds are made from one primary material.
Natural Cane
- The Standard: Most professional and student reeds use Arundo donax, a special type of cane.
- The Good Stuff: Good cane reeds offer the best response and the richest tone quality. The cane must be grown, harvested, and aged correctly for a great result.
Synthetic Reeds
- The Alternative: Some newer reeds use advanced plastics or carbon fiber.
- The Benefit: Synthetic reeds do not change when the weather changes (no humidity issues). They last much longer than cane. However, many players feel they lack the warm tone of real cane.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
The quality of a reed depends on how it is made and how you treat it.
Factors That Improve Quality
- Consistent Grain: High-quality cane has a straight, even grain pattern. This allows the reed to vibrate perfectly.
- Careful Shaping: Machines or skilled workers must shape the reed precisely. Small errors cause squeaks or uneven sound.
- Proper Curing: The cane must dry slowly. Fast drying creates weak spots.
Factors That Reduce Quality
- Humidity Swings: Cane reeds soak up moisture when you play. If they dry out too fast or unevenly, they warp. Warping ruins the seal against the mouthpiece.
- Manufacturing Defects: Look for chips, cracks, or uneven edges when you unbox them. These flaws mean the reed will fail early.
- Playing Too Long: Even the best reeds wear out. Playing them until they get soft and floppy reduces their tone quality significantly.
User Experience and Use Cases
The best reed depends on who you are and what music you play.
Beginners
New players should start with a soft reed, usually a size 2 or 2.5. This makes producing a steady sound easier. They need less air pressure to vibrate the reed.
Jazz Musicians
Jazz players often seek reeds that allow for quick changes in volume and articulation. They might choose a slightly harder reed (3 or 3.5) with a French cut for better snap and clarity.
Concert/Classical Players
Classical players usually prefer a warmer, darker tone. They often use a medium-hard reed (3 or 3.5) with a traditional cut. They focus on reeds that blend well with the ensemble.
Bari Sax Reed Buying Guide: 10 FAQs
Q: How often should I change my bari sax reed?
A: For cane reeds, change them when you notice the sound getting dull or if they stop responding well. This is usually every 1 to 3 weeks with regular practice.
Q: Should I use the same reed strength for practice and performance?
A: Many players use a slightly softer reed for long practice sessions to save their best reeds. They save the perfect, hard reed for concerts.
Q: What is the difference between a “filed” and “unfiled” reed?
A: Filed reeds have the bottom part sanded flat. Unfiled reeds have a rougher bottom edge. Filed reeds often respond quicker, while unfiled reeds can offer a warmer sound.
Q: How do I properly wet my cane reed before playing?
A: Moisten the tip for about 30 seconds in clean water, or just let it rest in your mouth for a minute before attaching it to the mouthpiece.
Q: Can I reuse a cane reed after it dries out?
A: Yes, you can reuse it, but you must re-wet it every time. Never try to play a dry cane reed; you will damage it.
Q: What mouthpiece size works best with a size 3 reed?
A: Reed strength is separate from mouthpiece tip opening. A size 3 reed works with most standard beginner and intermediate bari mouthpieces.
Q: Are synthetic reeds really as good as cane?
A: Synthetic reeds are great for consistency and durability. They are excellent for outdoor gigs or humid environments, but many musicians feel cane has a superior tone color.
Q: What does a reed that squeaks a lot tell me?
A: A reed that squeaks usually means it is too soft for your air support, or the tip is damaged and not flat against the mouthpiece.
Q: Should I sand my own reeds?
A: Sanding takes skill. If you are a beginner, buy reeds that are already shaped correctly. Only experienced players should try to sand reeds to fine-tune them.
Q: What is the best beginner reed strength for the bari sax?
A: Most teachers recommend starting with a size 2 or 2.5 Légère or Vandoren reed. These are soft enough to produce sound without tiring your mouth muscles too quickly.