Jeff

That’s why Pink Floyd keep re-releasing Dark Side Of The Moon. It appeals to the newer generations too. I think we’re on the downhill slope of creativity now.

Thanks James, I guess I shouldn’t ever mention my sub-student YAS-26 again! I do think that if I had bought a 280 first, I never would have acquired the 62.
When I saw the prices of the 82Z I thought how bad can the 62 really be, and can I justify the additional cost? There is such a tone change from the MP’s on the 26 I doubt if anyone would know…[Read more]

There’s a good reason why the olde bands of yesteryear are still touring. Either the IQ of the listener has crashed or todays music has nothing of true value to offer. In time the slow public will come to realise that good music requires professional live musicians with performance skills, and not just a DJ programmer with a synth. Keep practicing guys.

Hi James, I’ve only just logged in tonight as I’ve been busy preparing a presentation. I’ve found with the YAS62 it requires much more air then the YAS26 which I happily played with a #6 Dadio MP. I had to go back to the beginning and I’m only just starting to feel comfortable with a #3 MP (H2O) and a #1 reed. I get totally out of breath with…[Read more]

Hi Leo, you are sounding very smooth.

At thirty one seconds he lost me at the photo copier. Tell me it wasn’t staged?

Talk about distractions!!!

Hi James, you have me wondering about how the H2O would sound with a Venn synthetic.
I would probably go for the #2 as I’m actually playing a #1 Vandoren right now.
Perhaps when I can move back to my #2 reeds, then I’ll acquire one for a little light research 😉

I’ve just had a look at the Venn synthetic price and it’s the same as seven cane reeds. It will have to be very good to beat seven Vandoren reeds.

James, how do the clarinet reeds compare to the alto sax reeds? Wider or longer?
The clarinet ligature is working well on my alto MP, but I had to get a soprano lig for the Alto H2O MP.
I have a friend who works on lathes, he gave me a short piece of a broken cutting tool steel, and that also works for leveling and shaping reeds as they have sharp…[Read more]

Good video, very informative. Now to get the throat really open.

Oops, have you converted to AI? Artificial Intonation? LOL – as long as it makes you happy. Now how’s about a recording? I’ve gone back to my H2O on the YAS62 – U can’t rush these things U know. I’ve got to develop my lung power first before going DARK SIX. I’m busy with Dr Wally’s daily exercises. Cheers Jeff

Hi Robert, great fun and no hangover! We could do with a lot more of this, excellent.

Hi James, so are you going to buy a nice set of five? Or just the Hemp reed for the darkest tone?

Last week I was very happy with my H2O on the YAS26.
This week I can’t believe how crap it sounds.

Buying a JJ HR* Custom Dark for my YAS62 has ruined the tone of my YAS26 – LOL
Quality ruins our appreciation for the mediocre, and my debit card is looking nervous.

Re. “How well you store your reeds and rotate them will only give you a slight advantage in the life expectancy.”

Doesn’t it make you wonder how any sax player gets through a gig? I think the reed manufacturers will have a lot to say about that statement.

Being knowledgeable on reed maintenance and modification can save you a packet just ask…[Read more]

I played for two hours the other day and the reed was performing better after it was thoroughly wetted. The only reason I had to stop was because my lip was becoming tender. I don’t have any problems with the cane reeds, but that is probably because I look after them properly and never leave them to dry out on the MP covered in saliva.

It would be interesting to hear a pro saxman play all these reeds for comparison. I wonder how great the difference would be between them. I have a feeling that it may have more to do with the feeling the player of the reed experiences. Where are those folk who say the sound is unique to the person, and doesn’t change when the equipment changes?

That’s great news James I’m glad you have no issues with their hardness. In South Africa the synthetic reeds cost more than a box of ten cane. I have two reeds in a plastic tube with a sponge soaked in listerine. I play these two for many months alternating between the two and this way some have lasted nearly a year before they become too soft. I…[Read more]

Hi John, of course it’s impossible to know. I polish the table side of the new reed on an A4 sheet of paper until it shines evenly and is smooth. The lip side gets smoothed down with a soft flexible nail file until it also shines and is smooth on the lip. If it looks a little uneven I’ll even take some reed off the thicker side. I haven’t had a…[Read more]

I think it would be a better approach to buy five single reeds in 1 to 3 reed strength,
in a dependable quality reed like say a Vandoren Blue box reed.
If the #3 reeds are too hard, you won’t be able to use any of them on your new MP.
I’m presently using a #1 reed on my 6 MP and I can still play the upper high notes on it.
Having a softer reed…[Read more]