If you’re looking for a baritone saxophone, but aren’t sure which reeds to purchase, look no further. A good bari sax requires strong, durable reeds that can withstand a hefty blowing pressure. That said, not all reeds are made the same, and finding the right one for your playing can be a bit of a challenge. That’s why we decided to do some research and find the best bari sax reeds for you.
Read on to learn more about our favorite bari sax reeds.
Our Editor’s Best Baritone Saxophone Reeds Reviews
- 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.
- EASE OF RESPONSE AND CLARITY - Royal reeds offer ease of response and increased clarity in the sound.
- THINNER PROFILE, STRONG SPINE - Royal reeds are filed and feature a thinner profile and blank with a stronger spine. Ideal for students and advancing players.
- PREMIUM CANE FOR BETTER TONE - Royal reeds are made from premium cane for consistent response and playability.
- IDEAL FOR A VARIETY OF MUSIC GENRES - These reeds are ideal for jazz, classical, and other styles of music, allowing for clarity and projection in any venue.
- D’ADDARIO WOODWINDS – Rico has been synonymous with quality reeds. Now part of the D’Addario family of musical instruments and accessories, D’Addario Woodwinds has revamped the reed-making process to create the most consistent reed in the world.
- 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
- Offered in strengths 2.0 to 4.0
- CLEAR AND EXPRESSIVE SOUND. The Signatures for Saxophone respond without hesitation. They are thinner and stiffer than a traditional cane reed, making them easy to play and wonderfully smooth. They produce a pristine, centered sound with colorful overtones.
- 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.
- NO RISK 30-DAY EXCHANGE Contact us if you are unhappy with our product for any reason and we will replace your reed at no charge
- Stronger spine for a fuller sound
- Suitable for multiple musical styles
- Available for all Saxophones, Bb Clarinet and bass clarinet
- Offered in packs of 5
- Available in strengths from 'soft' To 'hard'
- EASY TO PLAY. The Classic for saxophone are extremely durable. This cut is based on the first prototype and produces a darker, focused sound. The thicker tip makes it ideal for projecting and providing a full, rich, and percussive sound.
- 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.
- NO RISK 30-DAY EXCHANGE Contact us if you are unhappy with our product for any reason and we will replace your reed at no charge
- Powerful and medium bright sound. The American Cut represents the next generation of Légère saxophone reeds. From the first note, the reed responds with complete ease and gives players just the right level of sound sharpness. It is effortlessly free blowing, colourful and full of personality.
- Synthetic for durability and durability. Légère synthetic leaves are not affected by environmental influences such as high humidity. Légère leaves last longer and save you time and money.
- No pre-conditioning. Légère leaves are ready to play. You don't need to soak a Légère sheet beforehand to get the perfect pitch. Ready to play when you are!
- Includes carry container for easy storage. Keep your Légère pipes in one place and protect them from the elements.
- NO RISK 30-DAY EXCHANGE Contact us if for any reason you are dissatisfied with our product and we will replace your pipe for free.
- ORGANIC REEDS - No chemicals. No pesticides. No synthetic fertilizers. We've taken our pursuit of incomparable consistency and unmatched playability further than ever before - finally, a reed that respects the player as much as the planet.
- GREAT PROJECTION, CLARITY, SOUND - Organic Select Jazz offers great projection, clarity, and a vibrant sound.
- AVAILABLE IN - Available in filed and unfiled models, Select Jazz is sold in third strengths for optimal mouthpiece pairing.
- INDIVIDUALLY SEALED - Each reed in the pack comes single-sealed in a recyclable paper reed holder and flow wrap.
- MADE IN THE USA - All D’Addario reeds are designed and manufactured in the USA from naturally-grown cane.
- Brilliant and vibrant sound
Best Baritone Saxophone Reeds Buying Guide
Before choosing the best baritone saxophone reeds you should consider following options:
1. Reed Strength: This is the most important thing to consider when buying reeds. Each manufacturer has their own scale for measuring reed strength. This is usually a number followed by a letter, e.g. 5/3.
The number refers to the strength of the reed as measured on a Jaffe scale, which is a machine used to measure the strength of a reed by pulling it between two points.
The letter refers to the ease of playability, with ‘A’ being the easiest and ‘E’ the hardest.
If you are unsure of what strength of reed you should be using, always check with your tutor or band director as to what strength of reed you should be using.
Generally, beginners will play on a softer reed, whereas intermediate and advanced players will play on a medium or medium-strong reed.
2. Tip Opening: This refers to the size of the gap between the tip of the reed and the mouthpiece. The wider the gap, the easier the reed will be to play.
This is important to consider if you have a smaller embouchure, or even if you are playing with a weaker embouchure.
For a wider gap, you will need a softer reed. If you are unsure of the correct tip opening, ask your teacher for advice.
3. Length and Width: The standard reed is cut to a certain length and width. If you are a beginner, it is unlikely you will need to change this.
However, if you are an intermediate or advanced player, you may want to experiment with longer or wider reeds. This will change the sound of your saxophone and may suit your playing style.
It may also be necessary to change the length of a reed if you are finding it hard to play. This may be due to an uneven embouchure or an overly hard reed.
If you are finding it hard to play a reed, it may be time to buy a new one.
This is something you should discuss with your teacher. Otherwise you may find that your embouchure is not as efficient as it could be.
4. Reed #: This refers to the number stamped on the back of the reed, and refers to the strength of the reed.
Generally, the higher the number, the stronger the reed, but the harder it is to play.
You will need to experiment to find the strength of reed that suits you the best.
5. Reed Quality: This is something that is often overlooked, but is just as important as the other factors. If a reed is too soft, it will not play properly and may sound out of tune.
If a reed is too hard, then it will not respond to your embouchure and will not sound good.
Some reeds may be too thin, causing them to break too easily and others may be too thick, making them sound nasal.
6. Price: Although this is not the most important factor to consider, it is something that should be kept in mind.
Although reeds may seem quite expensive, they are generally cheaper than other orchestral instruments.
Additionally, many saxophonists find that buying a new box of reeds is a lot cheaper than buying a new mouthpiece.
Some reeds are more expensive than others, but this does not necessarily mean that they are better.
What else you should know about baritone saxophone reeds
1. What is the best baritone saxophone reed?
There is no one best baritone saxophone reed, but some brands and types of reeds that are popular among baritone saxophonists include Vandoren Java Red reeds, D’Addario Reserve reeds, and La Voz reeds.
2. What are the differences between baritone saxophone reeds?
The main difference between baritone saxophone reeds is the size. Baritone saxophone reeds are larger than regular saxophone reeds, which allows them to produce a lower, more mellow sound.
3. How do I choose the right baritone saxophone reed?
There is no one answer to this question, as each saxophone player will have different preferences for their reeds. However, some factors to consider when choosing a baritone saxophone reed include the hardness or softness of the reed, the thickness of the reed, and the brand of reed. It is generally recommended that beginner saxophone players use softer reeds, while more experienced players may prefer harder reeds. Ultimately, the best way to find the right reed for you is to experiment with different types and brands until you find the one that gives you the sound and feel you are looking for.
4. How do I care for my baritone saxophone reed?
You should soak your baritone saxophone reed in water for about 20 minutes before you play. You can also use a reed humidifier to keep your reed from drying out.
5. What are some common problems with baritone saxophone reeds?
The most common problems with baritone saxophone reeds are that they can be too soft or too hard. If the reed is too soft, it will not vibrate properly and will not produce a good sound. If the reed is too hard, it will vibrate too much and will produce a harsh sound.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best baritone saxophone reeds. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best baritone saxophone reeds will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.