Detail 01
Strength 1.5
Very soft. Speaks with little air, which helps a new player, but the sound is thin and can go bright and buzzy when pushed.
Product detailSKU #1274034480318
Rico RoyalAlto Saxophone Reeds Strength 1.5
1/8
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Alto sax reeds in strength 1.5, the softest practical starting point. For beginners in their first months or anyone recovering embouchure strength.
Strong match
Who this is for
- First-year students learning to get a steady tone
- Players returning after months off the horn
- Getting a sound out with minimal air pressure
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Intermediate players — tone will thin out and buzz
- Loud ensemble playing where you need low-end body
- Soprano, tenor or bari; wrong cut and size
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Cut for alto saxophone
Matched to an alto mouthpiece table. Will not seal on tenor or soprano.
Detail 03
Cane reed
Soft cane wears faster. Expect a 1.5 to go flabby sooner than a stiffer reed.
Detail 04
Rico Royal line
Numbering is consistent across the line, so stepping to 2 or 2.5 later is a predictable jump in resistance.
Detail 05
$33.99
Beginners chew through reeds. Cheap enough that a chipped tip is not worth trying to save.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Reeds only — no mouthpiece, ligature or cap
- 02Most students outgrow 1.5 within a few months
- 03Soak the tip before playing; dry soft reeds chip immediately
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Should a total beginner start at 1.5 or 2?
1.5 if getting any sound out is still a struggle. 2 if a note comes out reliably. Moving up too early builds a tight, forced embouchure.
02When should I move up a strength?
When the tone sounds thin, the reed feels like it closes off under pressure, or notes crack in the upper register. Step to 2, then 2.5.
03Will strength 1.5 fit any alto mouthpiece?
It fits standard alto mouthpieces. Very open jazz tips are already easy to blow, so a 1.5 on one of those will be hard to control.
04Why does my 1.5 sound bright and squeaky?
A soft reed vibrates too freely when you push air. Ease off the air and jaw pressure, or move to a firmer strength.
