Detail 01
Strength 1
The softest grade offered. Minimal air pressure to get a note, but the tone thins out when you push volume.
Product detailSKU #1274034480715
Rico RoyalTenor Saxophone Reeds, Box of 10 Strength 1
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Ten tenor sax reeds in strength 1, the softest grade. Built for absolute beginners and anyone rebuilding after a long layoff.
Strong match
Who this is for
- First-year tenor students still building embouchure strength
- Players returning after months off the horn
- Stocking a school locker where reeds get chipped weekly
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Anyone already playing comfortably on a 2 or above
- Players on wide-open mouthpieces — a 1 will close up
- Alto or baritone players; these are tenor 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
Royal cut
The Royal line is filed, with a thinner tip and heavier heart. Quicker response than an unfiled cut at the same strength.
Detail 03
Box of 10
Ten reeds. Cane varies piece to piece, so a larger box improves your odds of finding two or three great ones.
Detail 04
Tenor saxophone size
Cut for a tenor mouthpiece. Alto reeds are shorter and bari reeds are longer; neither substitutes.
Detail 05
Uncoated cane
Needs wetting before each session and drying after. Response changes as the reed absorbs moisture during play.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Soak each reed 30 to 60 seconds before playing or it will feel dead
- 02You will want a reed guard — bare cane warps drying on the mouthpiece
- 03Expect to move up to 2 within a few months of steady practice
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Is strength 1 too soft for me?
If you can hold a steady tone for a full phrase without the sound collapsing, yes — move to a 2. Strength 1 is for players still building embouchure.
02What does Royal mean compared to plain Rico?
Royal reeds use a filed cut, with a thin strip removed below the vamp. That generally gives a quicker, clearer response than an unfiled reed of the same strength.
03How many reeds should I keep in rotation?
Three or four. Rotating lets each dry fully between sessions, which slows warping and makes the box last considerably longer.
04Do these fit any tenor mouthpiece?
They fit standard tenor mouthpieces. Very open tips generally want a harder reed, so a strength 1 may feel uncontrollable on one.
