Vandoren, D’Addario Woodwinds, and other manufacturers offer a wide variety of reeds that are essential for playing the saxophone. There are so many that you don’t know where to begin to find one to choose...
Here are some recommended saxophone reed options for you.
■ What is a reed?
A reed is one of the most important parts that produces the sound for a reed instrument. Without the reed, the instrument would not be able to produce sound because the reed is the main piece that vibrates in the mouthpiece to produce sound.
The main raw material that is used to make a reed is the cane plant. Most canes used for making reeds are grown in southern France or Argentina. In addition to reeds made from natural materials, there are also reeds made of synthetic resins which are a popular alternative option.
■ Structure of the Reed

■ Differences in Cuts
There are mainly two types of reed cuts: ‘filed cut’ and ‘unfiled cut’. The biggest difference between the two is the width at which the reed vibrates.
Filed Cut (Double Cut, French Cut) |
Unfiled Cut (Single Cut, American Cut) |
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For wind bands and classical music Tone: Clear and bright Easy response especially in the low range Faster response. |
For jazz and pop music Tone: Dark and deep Chewy sound and a moderately strong resistance |
■ Difference in Strengths
Even within the same reed series, the reed is labeled according to the strength of the reed fibers using measurements such as a ‘2 1/2’ and a ‘3’. The strength of the reed can be chosen based on the saxophone’s mouthpiece and the player’s preference. A reed may be described as thick or thin, but the thickness is usually the same if the reeds are from the same brand series.
Beginners usually choose soft reeds because the sound requires less breath, but if the reed is too soft, the high notes will spread out. On the contrary, if the reed is too hard, extra force will need to be applied and it’s also harder to create different tones and fingerings.
Some players choose a soft reed when they want a brighter tone because it has more resonance, and a hard reed when they want a sound with core.
■ Reeds Made of Newer Materials
There are reeds made of newer materials such as plastics or resin instead of natural cane. The major advantage of the resin is that it has a long life and it’s more hygienic since it can be washed with water. They can be used right away without moistening them beforehand. Through repeated research and development, reeds made of newer materials are now made to feel as close to the cane reed as possible that you will barely feel the difference, making it a very popular alternative.

■ Top 5 Most Popular Recommended Reeds
If you don’t know which one to choose, here is a ranking of the most popular saxophone reeds. You won’t fail at purchasing a reed if you choose one from this ranking!
*This ranking is based on the best-selling reeds at Sound House.
[No.1] Vandoren / Alto Saxophone Reed Traditional
Vandoren’s Alto Saxophone Reed from their Traditional series is one of their standard models that is also called the ‘blue box’. It is a popular choice among professionals and amateurs worldwide. The Traditional alto saxophone reed produces a well-balanced sound from low to high notes, with a clear outline of the sound. This reed from Vandoren is not only meant for classical and wind band players, but also for jazz and rock players.
- Recommended for
- All genres
- Cut
- Filed cut
[No.2] D'Addario Woodwinds / Alto Saxophone Reed Organic Reserve
The Reserve series was developed as the culmination of D’Addario’s top-notch reed making. The Reserve Classic is used by the world’s top professional players. The cane that is used for these reeds are carefully selected from the bottom parts of the cane for its high fiber density, and the fine but firm material provides a good blowing response. The uniformity of the fibers is also an important feature.
- Recommended for
- Wind band, classical music
- Cut
- Filed cut
[No.3] WOOD STONE / Alto Saxophone Reed Hand Selected
These Ishimori WOOD STONE reeds are used by top players around the world. They use only the highest quality materials that emanate a sweet fruity aroma grown in the Var region in southern France. These reeds go especially well with mouthpieces for jazz and produce an edgy sound. Since each reed is hand-selected, the quality is excellent, and they are widely used by beginner and professionals.
- Recommended for
- Jazz, pop music
- Cut
- Unfiled cut
[No.4] Légère / Alto Saxophone Reed Classic
Légère is a leading brand of resin reeds. The Classic series (formerly the Standard series) is Légère’s most standard model. Delicate pianissimo dynamics that are essential in classical music can clearly be heard with Légère’s sensitive reed. Of course, it can also be used for jazz and pop music.
- Recommended for
- Wind band, classical music, jazz, pop music
- Cut
- Original cut
[No.5] PLAYTECH / Alto Saxophone Reeds 3.0
Sound House’s original brand PLAYTECH has its own reed which boasts excellent performance at an amazingly low price!
- Recommended for
- Beginner players in wind band, classical music, jazz, pop music
- Cut
- Filed cut
■ How to choose the right reed for you?
Everyone has a different criteria for choosing a reed. Various conditions such as compatibility with the mouthpiece and ligature, the player’s embouchure, and the size of the oral cavity are very important aspects to every player. Also, there are countless other reed brands, series, strengths, and materials. Since reeds are a necessary part of a musical instrument, you cannot know how a reed feels until you try it out, and choosing the right one for you from a number of reeds may require a lot of trial and error. Sound House’s special page for saxophone reeds will help you find the right reed for you by narrowing down the music genre and cut! Come try it out!