Testing 7 Saxophone Reed Myths

Learn more about Nexus Saxophone Reeds, Saxophones, Mouthpieces, and Ligature at: www.nexussaxophones.com
Special Launch Discount! 50% OFF the new "17 Exercises on Triad Pairs/Hexatonics for Jazz Musicians" PDF Package!
www.jazzlessonvideos.com/down...
Sign up for a 7 day free trial to work with Chad and his team through the Jazz Gym!
www.jazzlessonvideos.com/thej...
Sign up for the waitlist to study with Chad through the Chad LB Text Lessons Studio! www.jazzlessonvideos.com/text...
Tour dates: www.chadlb.com/shows
Video by Austin Kruczek
Chad LB is an international recording artist who has toured globally as a bandleader, and with superstars ranging from Chris Botti to Taylor Swift. He has been a featured soloist with premiere ensembles like the Juilliard Jazz Orchestra, and was formerly a member of the multi GRAMMY winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. Despite his demanding tour schedule, Chad is on faculty as a visiting artist at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music for their new Roots, Jazz and American Music degree program.
#ChadLB #Saxophone #Reeds

[@ChadLefkowitzBrown]

This Week Only! Use code “Reed10” for 10% OFF Reeds at www.nexussaxophones.com Special Launch Discount! 50% OFF the new "17 Exercises on Triad Pairs/Hexatonics for Jazz Musicians" PDF Package! www.jazzlessonvideos.com/downloads Sign up for a 7 day free trial to work with Chad and his team through the Jazz Gym! www.jazzlessonvideos.com/thejazzgym Sign up for the waitlist to study with Chad through the Chad LB Text Lessons Studio! www.jazzlessonvideos.com/text-lessons

[@leslieblumenfeld1547]

Have you tried soaking the reed in water, then drinking the vodka and then playing the sax? I suppose that would have the biggest effect on sound, especially if you test several reeds and drink the vodka before each one. Maybe also experiment with bourbon…

[@fredhandrix]

I am sure this is the way it was meant to be initially ! Soaking the reed in water and then the same reed in vodka right after that doesn't make much sense.

[@JoelPurnell]

As another comment mentions, the vodka method works very well, but your reeds need to live in the vodka permanently, not just for 2 minutes. The vodka breaks down the enzymes in your saliva that ‘eat’ your reed when not in use, just as they start to do so when you eat food. This leads to (amongst other benefits) your reed lasting a very long time with little noticeable change in strength after the initial break in. It’s basically pickled in vodka. Also, vodka does kill the majority of bacteria, that’s why it is used on wounds when other options aren’t available. I have used this method for over 15 years now and it’s no myth. I’ve been playing my current reed for nearly 2.5 years, and it’s still great and looks pretty much as it did out of the box.

[@dsaxman1]

I had a pro friend who used to soak them in Hydrogen Peroxide permanently, but I never personally tested this out; assuming it was for similar reasons.

[@JoelPurnell]

@@dsaxman1 Hardcore. Pretty sure it’s poisonous! It’s basically bleach.

[@keananok]

💀 same reed for 2.5 years Oml

[@antoniomusgrove]

I use Dr tichnors and peroxide together. It works. However you spell the Dr.

[@quick2613]

Agree! Also vodka helps with old reeds. After 2-3 days it starts to sound like a new read

[@bobblues1158]

I have big respect for you guys. I am 77 and still playing. Many of the things you talk about here are kind of distorted by the passing of time. I will tell you that the techniques you are experimenting with are valid if done in the correct way. You need to to find a guy my age to show you how to use these methods correctly. I am too lazy to write this "arcane knowledge" here,for you. If you really want to learn about reeds, go to a symphony oboe or clarinet player. The oboe players usually make their own reeds-I did when i played oboe. The classical players know because there is not the huge generational gap that exists in Jazz at this time. Bright Moments, Bob

[@simonvasquez6039]

Hey Chad, with the paper rubbing trick, I think it works best when you apply pressure to the reed on a flat surface. ;)

[@stevekeller4814]

Speaking as an old guy, I’ve done the quarter burning trick, and also the reed bending trick. Both in the context of trying to get 1 more show out of a reed that probably should get the smash trick…. Though for bending, I bend the reed backwards with my thumb, OFF the mouthpiece. In my experience, the reed increases strength for about 5 minutes. Then you have to bend again. I’ve seen people use a credit card to bend the reed on the mouthpiece. I’ve also used the paper trick, but on the back to seal the table. Just polish it by rubbing the reed in a circular motion on the paper. Now I just use a reed geek equivalent (a high speed steel lathe tool bit) to flatten the back especially the first 3 or 4 times I play a reed. I believe Joe Allard taught the paper polish trick. Wavy tips - I just soak a bit, then hold the tip against the mouthpiece table with my thumb. Maybe flick the heel a bit. Seems to iron it out…

[@BaileyFamFC]

Chad, just wanted to say I had the privilege of hearing you play in Salt Lake City earlier this week. It was such a thrill! You were incredible. Thank you.

[@yourofficalnetwork]

the fact that the vodka bottle simply says "VODKA" on the front just makes be bawl out laughing

[@ginabean9434]

I agree for the warped reed: a reed that dries always wraps imo. Re-humidified, it straightens back an is actually a bit softer. It's a part of my normal "reed breaking" routine (but I'm the laziest). For the paper, you might get better result by putting the paper on a table and rub the reed on it. I've seen saxophonists doing that for the same reason (closing the pores) but they actually do it mostly on the flat side, not the vamp. First time I heard about the table smash trick, will try it soon ;-)

[@adamjoe1987]

I've used reeds in vodka for a long time now but with a different technique. You keep the reeds in a sealed air tight bottle permanently. A small bottle you can take to a gig in your case. After 2 weeks brand new reeds will break in and are ready to play. The vodka does keep them clean and they last longer. Just change the vodka when it gets dirty. It's all about patience and commitment with this cause when you take them out of the vodka they will warp. If you commit to the vodka bath they stay straight. The end result might not be to everyone's liking though. You may want to nudge up a strength in reed cause they're fully soaked broken in and softer. My old tutor told me he'd been playing a single reed with this technique for 2 years!!! Then he chipped it..... he was devastated

[@JoelPurnell]

Well said.

[@leonardlevy8811]

Burning the tip of a reed definitely can help the reeds response in the high notes and as someone mentioned further down you burn from the quarter side. Someone used to make a little metal form with reeds shapes for Bari, tenor, alto and soprano just so you could align them and burn the tips. I still have one I've used often . You could cut one from aluminum foil also.

[@OfficialNajeeChannel]

Excellent. Informative and great playing demonstrations, I always refer young students to your videos.

[@DinoSoldo]

Vodka myth has nothing to do with sterilization or sound. It is about having them ready in hot atmospheres without breaking down the fibers too much while soaking. I have found a quite obvious difference having the reeds soak in high grade Alcohol vs water over prolonged periods. It is a great benefit If one has done any tours outside in Summer across America or anywhere else.

[@rainerpusch1960]

All these things you mentioned are correct! I tried all of them before and had the same results. Polishing the Reed on paper, the Joe Allard advice is to do it on glass. Which works, but not always. Thanks for this video Rainer

[@TheJazz625]

Well, I actually found that interesting! I must try the hack with moving the reed up and down.

[@shipsahoy1793]

The most useful ‘myth’ for me on my STM Tenor mpc is moving the reed up or down the mouthpiece within plus or minus about a millimeter depending on ease of play. Great for a more resistant reed or getting more life out of a reed that has gotten soft over time.. 👨🏻🥳

[@gallofilm]

yes me too on my 1940s tone master

[@VeggiesbyEos]

Both of my professors keep their reeds soaked 24/7. My jazz prof does half water half listerine. But we live in a very dry climate. I've started to do it and overall it's been working well for me, way less warping. And when I don't soak a reed I find myself soaking it anyway at the end of the day

[@BryanSaxMeggison]

LOL. That last myth was a banger. Cool video. Thanks for the insight!

[@insightfulryan]

for sure, I like the departure into straight comedy, especially as Chad pushed threw to play the lines in his head to no effect. LOL

[@KadrianThomas]

The last myth sure had me cracking up!!! 😂 😂😂😂😂😂

[@mikeiassantiagosax9314]

hey Man.... this video was very enlightening I'm from Brazil

[@ryankcmusic5570]

That last one cracked me up!!!

[@ericvanderbilt-mathews8131]

single most important thing for me in extending the life of a reed has been ensuring the table is flat and makes as perfect a seal on the mouthpiece as possible (assuming you are using your ligature the same every time as well). This is mostly important for the part of the table that actually comes into contact with the mouthpiece itself, which I guess probably partially depends on your tip opening. I use sandpaper + piece of glass at home, and a reed geek on the road to keep the reed surface flat. By the way, no one will fault you for dubbing glitched audio in post (maybe this was your editor, if you have one?)

[@Q.Lawrence]

The Reed Geek was a game changer for me.

[@jimfranzen6582]

I remember a guy using quarter/lighter method. I think he held the lighter on the quarter side so only the tip of the reed would burn along the line of the quarter. Then he bent the reed tip over the quarter to produce a curve similar to the original. He said this was a stopgap method when your reed had been played so much it played thin. The quarter/lighter move would strengthen it enough to get to the end of a gig. He said he used it when was younger and could only afford one reed at a time. Probably why we don’t see this anymore. Guy played well.

[@DrWo-sn7nk]

I’ve seen footage of Illinois Jaquet also pulling the reed away from mp like Joe Henderson.

[@unclemick-synths]

Glad you did this so we don't have to! I'm not superstitious so I only need my reed trimmer and sand paper.

[@bluessax5089]

Could you PLEASE make a video on embouchure? I mean, is your bottom lip relaxed and sides tight?? 🤷🏽‍♂️ Chad LB’s embouchure looks so effortless! Am I right?

[@jankuklewicz3248]

My favorite saxophonist vs george adams james carter peter brotzmann scott page

[@antoniomusgrove]

Oh yeah I forgot something I learned from a sirvalor sax video. (This makes so much sense I feel db for not thinking of it), when you finish breaking in your reeds take 80-100 grit sand paper and rob the back of the reed to seal it so you don't waist so much air.

[@williesordillo8621]

I wouldn't put any stock in the idea that smashing a read is going to make it play better, but is it possible that maybe the idea is to smash it down when layed flat, as opposed to smashing the tip? How could that ever work?

[@shipsahoy1793]

Drunk people think they play better🤣

[@MrGuto]

at 17:06 you're definitely not doing it right. the flame should approach from under and perpendicular to the coin. the idea is the coin protects the part of the reed that you want to keep, only burning the edge that is sticking out. this is an alternative to clipping the reed.

[@jimfranzen6582]

Ditto, makes a big difference in controlling the burn line

[@amiema3775]

The last one made me LOL...

[@G400martin]

Sadly we will never know what absolutely killing lick Chad dropped on us at the end.

[@amiema3775]

I also have experienced warped reeds to be all right if soaked and straightened out...

[@charleswalter3075]

Chad, do you remove the reed from the mouthpiece every time you're done playing...?

[@dennischacko499]

RIP to that last reed... Tragic

[@ChrisF_1982]

The alcohol used should probably be something like Everclear

[@MarcKellerSax]

Chads secret to burning lines ... burning the tip of the reed.

[@JorisPosthumus]

If your run realy fast holding the reed for a couple of hours and then play the reed your sound wil be bigger;)

[@dizgil6881]

brother you could play without a reed and still kill it

[@KickingMusician]

Do an experiment next, where you first soak the player in water and then in vodka! 😜

[@gregdearmond3309]

inconclusive results, chad could play on a 2x4 and sound good

[@ZacharyMiller]

The alcohol soak is used to revitalize/stiffen old reeds not to kill bacteria. I do it once a month for 30 minutes and my reeds last way longer than normal.

[@clifnotes9091]

Vodka treatments definitely WORK, but you have to use “old dead reeds!” It will temporarily revitalize the reed to like new condition. It will “not” work on brand new, out of the box reeds.

[@1024gain]

"Will it sound like trash?" Sure give me the reed i will show you trash 😂

[@alejandrodonceltalavero7385]

21:43 Chad... You have to study so much now, what happened tonight? Xddddd and with a vacunated reed? Sound better? Hahahah sorry I'm watching south park and maybe with a this reed i don't play in that case. Omg amazing video, please more videos with more zoom like that, i see better all, i don't know why but i put the reed so up and now i put more down because it's a hard reed and sound better man! Now i put the reed exactly in the site. Thanks, oh please do more videos, i wanna if you can.

[@gen_music]

Reed will play better first soaking in vodka then drinking vodka then playin by the way most important use Grey Goose 😀🙏

[@barryoverstreet4876]

"Nice." 🤣

[@dsaxman1]

I smash old or unplayable reeds so that I won't pick them up and try to reuse them, plus there's a certain sense of satisfaction if you're passionate about it😅

[@coffinman5007]

Must have been somebody's wife told them it sounded better after being smashed on a table.

[@jinx100-]

I love the sound on the mouthpiece but I think it’s a lil too much money for me

[@jonatanpinadulucmusic]

Wrong side on the burning thing.

[@danmcbmusic]

Keeping reeds in vodka makes them last longer I found. It doesn't make them sound any different (ok they slur more jk).

[@Dragonet4577]

Can I soak soak my reed in gatorade

[@mikeiassantiagosax9314]

N1

[@baptistestanek8036]

About the vodka, it’s obviously not working if you just put in only few minutes. The goal of it is keeping the reeds longer, it stays clean and the amount of humidity is not changing (even if the weather is changing). You need to keep the reeds in a pot made of glass (no plastic really bad with vodka) and it works much better… I’m playing professionally and still play some reeds that I bought in January… It can’t be judged just in few minutes with a fresh new reeds. I’m sorry but I disagree Chad

[@baptistestanek8036]

Lots of great players are actually doing it like Mark Turner for example

[@len2026]

you burned from the other side when you used the coin. logically wrong. for this, they put the coin as a protector, in order to burn it exactly in the shape of the coin.