Reed Selection and Sound Quality of an Alto Saxophone

Abstract

To investigate the relationship between reed stiffness and sound quality, the same note (concert Bb)was played on an alto saxophone with six different reeds (1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, and 4). The relative amplitudes of the first four harmonics for each of the reeds were compared. It was found that the softer reeds had the greater amplitude in upper harmonic intensities. Additionally, it was found that each harmonic followed a general trend, although they did not follow the same trends in relation to one another.