I Tried Plastic Saxophone Reeds... Again

Introduction

As saxophonists, we often find ourselves blaming the reed when our sound doesn't meet our expectations. It's logical to think that technology might provide a solution—an ideal reed that offers perfect consistency, great sound quality, and longevity. So, why are we still relying on natural cane reeds? Surely, synthetic reeds must be superior.

After years of experimenting with various synthetic reed brands, I'm on a quest to find the holy grail of reeds once again. Today, I’m testing out the latest offering from Leier: their French cut reeds. These reeds are touted to be darker than both their signature and American cut reeds. I have several strengths of these for both alto and tenor saxophones. Throughout this review, I’ll share my thoughts on these reeds and demonstrate how different strengths perform and sound on the same mouthpieces. This will aid you in selecting the best reed strength for yourself, whether it be synthetic or cane.

Alto Saxophone Test

I recorded playing examples on both alto and tenor using different mouthpieces. For the alto, I’m using the fantastic Better Sax Tradition Alto Saxophone, which is available exclusively from Sweetwater in the U.S. I played on the Better Sax Burnin mouthpiece with a 7 tip opening, starting with the Leier French cut 2¼ strength plastic reed.

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The musical selection is an A.E.I piece I composed over the chord changes to "But Not For Me," created for my online interactive lesson group called the Better Sax Studio. Starting with the softest reed was a good choice, but I found it a bit too soft; softer reeds often result in a flat upper register and less reliability in the altissimo range, not to mention a brighter and buzzier sound.

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The 2.75 and 3.0 strengths felt more comfortable. However, keep in mind that reed strength selection is closely tied to the mouthpiece tip opening—a more open mouthpiece generally requires a softer reed, and vice versa.

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When playing a cane reed—a Better Sax Jazz cut at 2½ strength—the difference was noticeable right away, producing a consistent and warm sound with excellent intonation.

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Next, I tested the same French cut reeds on a more closed mouthpiece setup—using the Better Sax Classic mouthpiece. I started with the harder reeds (3.0 and higher) since the tip opening is much smaller, but these reeds also felt softer than their rating. Unfortunately, I didn’t have any reeds stronger than 3.0 for this test.

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Trying the softer reeds resulted in the sound suffering, pitch going flat, and when I used the 2¼ strength, distortion became an issue even with minimal air pressure.

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Harder reeds generally provide a clearer, rounder sound with less buzz, yet they require more control when playing softly, especially in the low register. In comparison, I found Leier’s American cut and Signature cut reeds to be darker than their French cut reeds, contrary to what is stated on their website.

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After extensive testing, I concluded that the American cut reed worked best on the Burnin mouthpiece, while the Signature cut was ideal for the Classic mouthpiece.

Tenor Saxophone Test

Now, turning to tenor, I put Leier’s tenor reeds through their paces, focusing on the French cut in various strengths.

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Unfortunately, I wasn't satisfied with the sound from any of these tenor reeds. The 2¾ strength was the best fit but still didn’t meet my expectations.

Comparatively, using a Better Sax Jazz cut 2½ cane reed produced a better-quality sound with more responsiveness and control across the range.

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On the Classic mouthpiece, the Leier French cut reeds fell short for classical playing, exhibiting a buzzy quality. The Leier Signature Cut at 2¾ strength, however, offered a strong performance and a pleasing sound when paired with the Classic mouthpiece.

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Conclusion

After repeated attempts, I remain unconvinced by the synthetic reeds. While I appreciate the variety offered by Leier’s different cuts and strengths, I still struggle with comfort—particularly after extended playing sessions, where I experience discomfort that feels like the reed's vibrations are pinching my lips.

Ultimately, I found the French cut reeds softer in relative strength and buzzier than both the American and Signature cuts. For my needs, the American cut is preferable for jazz, while I would choose the Signature cut for classical music. Everyone’s experience may vary; the best advice is to try different reeds to discover what suits your individual setup and sound concept.

If you're still dealing with reed-related struggles, I invite you to check out my video on the 14 best tips for getting better performance from every reed—you might just stop blaming them and start sounding better!

Keywords

• Plastic Saxophone Reeds
• Synthhetic Reed Review
• French Cut Reeds
• Alto Saxophone
• Tenor Saxophone
• Reed Strength
• Cane Reeds
• Mouthpiece Compatibility

FAQ

1. What are synthetic reeds? Synthetic reeds are man-made alternatives to traditional cane reeds, designed to offer more consistency and longevity.

2. What are the differences between the French cut and American cut reeds? French cut reeds are typically designed to be darker in tone, while American cut reeds may offer a brighter sound. However, personal experiences may vary, and it’s important to try both to find your preference.

3. How should I choose the reed strength for my mouthpiece? The strength of the reed you choose should correspond to the tip opening of your mouthpiece: a more open mouthpiece generally necessitates a softer reed, while a closed mouthpiece requires a firmer one for optimal performance.

4. What did you conclude about the comfort level of synthetic reeds? Personal comfort varied significantly; many players experience discomfort or pain when playing with synthetic reeds, which may not be an issue for cane reeds. Individual experiences can differ widely.