How To Make ALL Your Reeds Work Using A Reed Geek Tool

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

If you enjoyed this lesson about using a Reed Geek to make your reeds work check out my Technique playlist - kzbin.info/aero/PLBRGEAheQrpmNJ5Utbv8F6W8jB-k_WAeX

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

:-)

[@kablammy7]

I put this question here so, maybe if you don't see it in the general comments, that you would see it here and and reply here and in the general comment area ... After reading all the comments and seeing that it was not queried ... What about whittling down a reed that is too high stiffness to a lower level ? Such as : a number 3 to a number 2.5 ? Or a 2.5 to a 2 ?

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

@@kablammy7 I think I replied elsewhere on this.

[@ronhowe5933]

One of the better reed fixing guides I've seen Jamie. I've just been playing my reeds as they are for 40+ years and they always work in the end (I never throw them away) but I pulled out a Med Hard La Voz one recently with a stiff old hardened brown streak in the heart and it was playing like a 5 on my 9 BB Lawton Bronze. So, I finally bought a a Reed Geek and worked it a bit and it's playing now. They never used to be that rough! You've helped get my head round the concept of working on those blanks. I've actually moved over to Rigotti now because they seem to give that buzz like the La Voz used to. Thanx, Ron (in the UK).

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Awesome. Great comment, thanks Ron!

[@JayCee-hw4zc]

Brilliant!!!! Just revived a rubbish read following your lesson. Thanks heaps for the pdf too!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Glad it helped!

[@matsmanteatern698]

One of the best and truest videos on this subject I think. Why? Well everyone’s different and have different experience of working on reeds but I’ve been using a ReedGeek for 2-3 years and find most things said in this video to be true. In summary that is: Following these advice will make a lot of you’re reeds play much better. That said it’s still pretty tricky to make a bad/stuffy reed play just as good as a good one out of the box. My experience is also that about 80% is a good estimation Also very true is that I think everyone can go with step 1 and flatten the back of the reed

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks man. Your stats sound pretty reasonable I think.

[@qwerwerterytrtyutyuiyuiouiop]

Thank you very much Jamie, I appreciate the simple direct method you demonstrated here. Just tried the steps following along and it seems to have made an appreciable difference :D

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Glad it helped!

[@Trevayne4]

That’s the most straightforward explanation I’ve seen. 😎

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thank you Edward! 🙏🏻

[@Felicitysaxophonist]

The reed wing V is drew the opposite way how it should be. ☺️❤️ It’s actually an important mistake, because people might be confused where the heart of the reed is 😱🙈 Still very nice tutorial 🙂❤️🎷✨

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Hi Felicity, thanks for your comment. I’ve actually seen a few of your videos - nice playing, and superbly well shot, recorded and edited. I’m sure you’ll be very successful on KZbin! Congratulations 👍🏻 re the reed thing then, I agree that it’s not the same V that’s taught by Mauro. I can’t include pictures here, but if you imagine the “correct” V and “my” V both drawn on the reed there’s a large area of overlap. What differs is that the “correct” V you’re talking about includes more area right at the front tip and “my” V includes more area further back. Both Vs include the whole side rails area and miss out the very central heart of the reed, so they’re very similar in that respect. It’s not a “mistake” on my part. I was taught this method by Dave Liebman (who was taught it by Joe Allard) before Reed Geeks we’re even invented, and I’ve always had great success with it. Yeh, sometimes it does help to get into the very front edge area but that’s also the area where you can do most damage so I’m a little bit hesitant to teach that on KZbin straight away. Also, your facing length will determine how much of the heart of the reed is included in the V, and my V still keeps the heart area clear. Plus, I don’t draw on my reeds in real life anyway, it’s a much more intuitive process. At the end of the day, the topic of reeds has always been, and will continue to be, very personal to each player, so what works for me might not work for you and vice versa. I can tell from your content that you have no issue getting your reeds to work great, so you clearly know exactly what you’re doing, but I also get great results doing my method, so vive la difference!! Thanks for watching anyway, and I’ll be following your channel! Jx

[@Felicitysaxophonist]

@@GetYourSaxTogether Thank you so much for your comment ! I appreciate it very much! ❤️ I was under the mistaken impression that you were designing Mauro’s V and that you made a mistake. You used the same idea when it came to the wings of reeds, so of course I didn’t imagine you actually were explaining a different method. I will definitely try this method! I am currently very curious about the red adjustment, because I am frequently asked to make a video about the reeds , and I found a lot of interesting information which I honestly didn’t know before ! I am actually drawing on my reeds with a pencil to understand a response of the reed after I sand it. I finally ordered the Reed Geek, so I’m curious about how it works compared to sandpaper. What I really appreciated is the step when you showed how to draw the first line. That was very helpful to me. By the way, I want to compliment you also for your tutorials in generally. Your presence is very pleasant , and it’s refreshing to watch you. 🙂🎷❤️✨

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

@@Felicitysaxophonist hey, thanks Felicity. Really sweet of you, and thank you for your compliments. ❤️ I hope I didn’t come across too grumpy! It sometimes feels like it’s only you and me left playing cane reeds - everyone seems to have gone to synthetic now! 😂 My next job is to really look into all that. I’m sure you’ll become a master reed fixer very quickly, and you’ll find some great techniques along the way. Mauro’s method is fantastic and works great. Jay at Better Sax did a great video with him which I’m sure you’ve seen. Anyway, thanks for watching my channel, I really appreciate fellow pros watching!! I’ll be following your channel and I’m certain it’s gonna grow super fast. You’ve already got insane viewing figures. Take care X

[@Felicitysaxophonist]

@@GetYourSaxTogether oh you are so wonderful! Thank you so much for your kind words! 🙂❤️🎷I never wanted to teach or do tutorials, but many beginner saxophonists began to ask me a lot of questions. I had to update my knowledge and found channels like your super helpful. Probably you, like me, did not grow up in the era of the Internet, and I personally remember certain things were almost like a secret 😃 We basically learn from listening to the music. Again thank you very much for your kindness and i am very pleased we got in touch 🙂🎷✨ My best wishes and greetings 🙂✨

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

No sweat. The truth is, I’ve had to do exactly the same as you. I’ve been a pro saxophonist for 25 years without ever needing to know all the stuff I’ve learned from KZbin in the last couple of years! Same as you. 😂 I’m glad I have though and I feel a better musician for it all. X

[@jazzman_10]

It is much easier to check disbalance on the sides of the reed just by checking the moisture pattern left on the flat side after playing for a while than trying to figure it out by playing just one wing at a time. Just a small flat surface (a portrait for example) and fine sandpaper works just as good. Sanding reeds has been one of the best things I have learned, try spreading some vaseline or cork grease on them before storing if you do not have the moisture reed case.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Cool. Thanks for the tips. I guess the only problem is, you don't want to be playing the reed for a while before checking the moisture pattern? Thanks for watching. J:-)

[@kissalabama]

Where can I get some get your sax together gear? Shirts and such!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Yay, super fan! I’m working on my Merch Hannah, but not sorted yet, apologies. So many things to do!

[@kissalabama]

@@GetYourSaxTogether take your time! I’ve got lots of your awesome lessons to do! I’ll be busy for a long time :-)

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

@@kissalabama 😊

[@dennis9242]

Thanks, Jamie. Do you ever mess with the back side of the reed at all?

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Yup, I flatten it.

[@kablammy7]

After reading all the comments and seeing that it was not queried ... What about whittling down a reed that is too high stiffness to a lower level ? Such as : a number 3 to a number 2.5 ? Or a 2.5 to a 2 ?

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Pretty hard to get a whole half strength different, but yeh I guess that's possible in theory!

[@TheVDaddyo]

Thx for the video, Jamie. Music is my part-time gig... initially started playing alto/bari in a 10-piece Motown cover band (incl 4 piece horn section) for over 10 years. Absolutely loved it! But to help switching b/w alto/bari, I switched to Rico Plasticover reeds many years ago... and haven’t changed since. Clearly, these reads are are likely not suitable for “modifying” (to avoid removing the coating). As I’m likely living on the dark ages of reeds🤣... Q: Can you recommend some (current) reeds to try ? (eg, manufacturer, type...) Many thanks for all your work putting out these fantastic videos. Since exiting jazz band in college, my training has been all by ear (listening to/emulating my favorite players). Miss the formal education/theory! I hope to find the time to sit down again on the weekends and woodshed some of these lessons 🙏🏻

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

I use Vandoren red box, but I'm also dabbling with Legere now.

[@julioperez3936]

Great tutorial. Very Professional

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks for watching and let me know if there's anything else I can do for you. J😊

[@markmontaquila3098]

good one. now I can buy a reed geek!!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

A sound investment that will last you a lifetime J:-)

[@espr7564]

Strange system? My reed geek is a pocket knife and has done the trick for the last 40 years 😎🎷👍

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Yup! That’ll work!

[@Franciscosax2024]

Eu usava lâminas de barbear .

[@ollingfort1]

Thanks for that. May have to practice a bit of patience as well:)

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

for sure! Worth it though. And if you've duff reeds you've got nothing to lose cos you wouldn't have used them anyway!

[@maxsegali5588]

Can you put the reed in water instead?

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

yup. that works too.

[@slliped5351]

Hey my reed always breaks easily and I need advise to see how to make it stay

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Sting Racer* - I need more information first. Do you mean your reed doesn’t stay on the mouthpiece? Reeds are very fragile and need to be treated very carefully. Help me understand your problem better please?

[@slliped5351]

I meant to say when I blow the sides of the reed brake

[@slliped5351]

Is there something that protects the reed while I blow?

[@kentreuber8026]

It would have been interesting to see the reed held up to a light, so that we could see what a congested area looks like.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Yeh, true. you can try it yourself though.

[@gregorydutton349]

Just wanted to ask, I recently contacted Legere because reeds were not sealing properly. Their reeds have a pattern on the surface which comes in contact with the mouthpiece table. Legere said that their reeds were designed different. I changed to synthetic because I was so sick of having to worry about whether a reed was going to play. Then just get that favourite one working well and it cracks or breaks when the drummer walks past too close. Ahhhhh🤪 Is Legere having a lend?

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

No Legere reeds seal, and actually no SYOS mouthpieces seal either, but it doesn’t seem to matter, which makes me wonder if everyone is talking s*** about having to have your Reed and mouthpiece seal all this time! 😂

[@malcolmlund7938]

That's odd Gregory - I've been playing Legere for 5 years now and they seal 100% on my Jumbo Java tenor mp. Maybe it depends on the mp? Legere changed my life - I doubt I'll ever go back to cane. Best of luck!

[@mprenn1547]

@@GetYourSaxTogether well how interesting as I have a 40 year old Berg hard rubber mouthpiece with a ribbed table and rails! Of course the "pop test" will always fail...so with that MP I just eyeball it, and honestly, the lack of seal doesn't seem to matter. It does make me wonder if other players have seen these MPs with ribbed table, and what was Berg Larsen thinking back then?

[@darinjin4855]

help a lot！！！！！thank you Jamie！！！！

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@nikisax8786]

Great tips thankyou.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Niki jayne - 👍🏻

[@why5482]

Can you use a graphite pencil?

[@why5482]

or scissors?

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

For what? J:-)

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

For what? J:-)

[@why5482]

@@GetYourSaxTogether Instead of a Reed Geek Tool

[@bibiboitedalu]

Thank for the vidéo but the prince is expensive for what is it..

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

They last a lifetime and save a bundle on reeds

[@eriksax]

🙏🏾 Thank you!!!!!!!!!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

You are so welcome

[@Franciscosax2024]

Tenho os bits de aço rápido vou experimentar nas palhetas.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Good luck!

[@jimscimonetti1457]

Thank you!!!

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Thank you!

[@YannsKitchenUK]

Have u tried legere reeds yet ? I think these things may not be an issue with legere. When I was a kid having music lessons with the late Gordon Tuck in Wiltshire he predicted one day there would be a big change in reeds. 30 yrs later.... He was right. Ps. My Durga 3 clamps the reed down so hard I don’t think uneven tables are an issue . lol @ rubbish sign off

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

BattleKAT Sax - Kaden Andrew Thompson - I’m only a lowly musician and I can’t afford to buy a load of legeres at this point until I find a suitable one. Also, the ones I’ve tried I never got on with. I’m not a convert but I’m open to being one at some point.

[@YannsKitchenUK]

Get Your Sax Together yeh it’s a bummer when they split especially for the price . I think now they have taken off in popularity the company have started putting in the old built in redundancy as they don’t seem to last as long as they used to. Think I’m going to stick to wood too.

[@badlourising]

Razor blade works just as well

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Razor blade may be a bit trickier to control and may not always be as level/flat across the edge.

[@badlourising]

True but it gets the job done when reed needs help. Careful is the motto

[@tapondash9265]

great

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

🙏

[@gamescheats4000]

i have reed no 1 1/2 but its to soft for me.and i decide to try reed numb 2 1/2. but its too hard . what i have suppose to do.help me please

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Marlon Ralepi - em, no.2 reed? 😂

[@gamescheats4000]

Maybe i have to try no 2.

[@hudsoncampos5976]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

Brilliant, glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your support! J:-)

[@TomSteele93]

I don’t know if I believe that the average person can improve on the precision manufacturing process that creates reeds. I’m not denying that YOU might be able to with years of practice, but I have to wonder how many average to even decent players try this and ruin their reeds. Or at the very least, don’t make any difference. I would love to see some precise before and after measurements of this practice.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

hmmm. Not sure I agree Tom. I think every player can make small, incremental adjustments and make a positive impact on their reeds. Wood isn't a precision thing - every reed is different - if not on the outside, on the fibres inside.

[@sparkshot289]

Don't worry. The terrible reeds get their fair share of use, as firewood.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

True. Great kindling 👌🏻

[@simatbirch]

What a pain in the arse.

[@GetYourSaxTogether]

simatbirch - you mean messing about with reeds is a pain in the arse? If so, yeh, I agree!! 😂