Just checked the post. It’s like Christmas! I just love when a new reed arrives in its pretty packaging on my doormat. So exciting! I’m trying out the Harry Hartman Hemp Fiber reed on my Alto. As well as assessing its musical colour and flexibility, the new reed try-out is also to see how much stability it gives in my altissimo. Can’t wait for practise time. New reed try-out. Yea!
Pretty pic below. Feeling the love for my new reed already 🙂
Speak soon.
Bye for now.
ms
Ace Millicent thanks. So far I’ve played with Rico and Selmer. I might give Vandoren a go too. I see it’s just convenience? If that’s all I’ll probably just stick with cane. Cheers my friend.
Cool! For me it’s more than just convenience. In my work I need a reed I can strap on and play at the level, quality and robustness I want every time. Hemp does that. Cane doesn’t do it every time. But don’t get me wrong, I still have a box of Cane as backup in case a split a reed or something and for practises (to preserve my Hemp for live work) but I do love Hemp and it’s my first choice. It also give a brighter sound on my Jody Jazz 8 mouth piece.
Glad to know you’re figuring out what works best for you and the sound you want 🙂 Happy hunting 🙂
How would you compare hemp to regular?
Hey Sejepps, thanks for your question. I generally use Vandoren Java (Green Pack) and love the tone it gives me and the way I can explore the nuances and colour of notes with it. The Hemp gives me this too however where the Hemp trumps the cane reed is that I can take it out the case, put it on and play anything immediately. With cane you have to moisten and wait a few seconds for it to get into gear. If I’m switching between Saxes then I have to think about when to switch and which songs work best at that stage when using Cane reeds.
Two things I haven’t done so far with Hemp is to try the Hemp in the Summer. Last year it was so hot here my Cane reeds were drying out mid gig which was a nightmare. After that I experimented with synthetic reeds and found Hartmann reeds. The second is to try them on Tenor.
Hope that answers your question?