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hm rico 21/2 or 3

Hahaha... Ricos are just fine for most beginners and intermediate players, but once you get into the higher levels of playing, you want to start trying out all the different types of reeds that you can. Once you find the type that suits you, you don't have to keep trying other reeds anymore and just stick with that one (or two) types. But vandorens are really well-made reeds, and some people (but not all people) like them and prefer them over ricos.
But don't think that regular ricos and vandorens are the only reeds in the world; there's tons of different variations of the reeds, like thickness and type. Hey, if ricos work for you, stay with them! Personally, I like the rico jazz reeds, size 4 1/2, but I like vandoren ZZ's size 3 1/2 just as much or more. Everyone's different; some reeds work extremely well with one person, but not as much with the other person. It all depends on you and how you play. mrgreen

>_> more air is just gonna make you louder..and i suppose it would COVER UP your airy tone...but what if you're required to play soft? get a softer reed.. e.e your mouthpiece demands it!...>_> if you really WANT to play on a size 3 reed...get a mouthpiece with a slightly smaller tip opening

I play the clarinet and I use size 3 reeds during band practice. I use 2.5 at home, and the only reason I use 3 at school is because my band director makes me. I think using anything more than a 3 sounds bad because its hard to make any sound, so it sounds weird and airy....

i switched to 3 1/2 vandoren but it screwed my sound so i changed back i play bass clarinet but my ambeture is too strong cuz i used to play regular clarinet does anyone have any sugestions ????????????

o.O i doubt your embouchure is too strong...considering you need a stronger embouchure to play bass clarinet than regular Bb clarinet. but there's the possibility that you're not taking enough mouthpiece in..that would make it so if you tried to play with a decent embouchure the reed would close up...make sure you allow the reed some room to vibrate.

I play oboe and am learning to make my own reeds. It takes a long time to learn how to make a good one. I hate how difficult it can be to get a reed that plays well for every range. Oboe reeds have a mind of their own and are so picky. gonk

First, you don't even know the meaning of the word "idiot". An idiot is someone with a mental age of 3, or less. If someone had a mental age of 3 or less, they could not possibly play a saxophone, or any wind instrument for that matter. No, i'm not saying 3 year olds can't play wind instruments, but the 3 year olds who CAN play wind instruments have a mental age HIGHER than 3, their brains are more developed.
Second, if you think anyone and everyone who uses Ricos are idiots, well then...you are EXTREMELY ignorant and naive. There are plenty of excellent players who use Rico, me being included. Believe me, many of them are much more intelligent than you might ever be.