Detail 01
Strength 2
Soft. Responds with little air pressure, speaks easily in the low register, but can close up or buzz when pushed hard.
Product detailSKU #1274034480411
Rico RoyalTenor Saxophone Reeds, Box of 10 Strength 2
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
A box of ten tenor saxophone reeds in strength 2, a soft cut suited to students and anyone easing back into playing after a layoff.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Beginning tenor players still building embouchure strength
- Doublers who spend most of their time on another horn
- Restocking a case so a chipped reed isn't fatal
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Players wanting a dark, resistant sound for classical work
- Anyone already comfortable on 2.5 or 3
- Alto, soprano or baritone sax — 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
Tenor saxophone cut
Sized only for tenor. An alto reed on a tenor mouthpiece won't seal, and a bari reed overhangs the rails.
Detail 03
Box of 10
About $4.90 a reed. Enough to sort a few good ones and rotate them instead of playing one until it dies.
Detail 04
Cane reed
Each one plays slightly differently. Expect two or three standouts per box and a couple you set aside.
Detail 05
Strength 2 vs 2.5
Half a step softer. Easier attacks and less fatigue, at the cost of some volume ceiling and tonal core.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Mouthpiece and ligature not included — these are reeds only
- 02Wet the reed a minute before playing or it warps
- 03Soft reeds close off under hard blowing; move to 2.5 as your embouchure firms up
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Will these work on an alto sax?
No. These are cut for tenor saxophone. Alto mouthpieces are narrower, so a tenor reed hangs over the rails and won't seal properly.
02Is strength 2 too soft for me?
If you're in your first year or two, no. If you already play 2.5 or 3 comfortably, these will feel thin and may close up when you push air.
03How long does a reed last?
Depends on playing hours and care. Rotating four or five reeds instead of playing one daily stretches a box considerably further.
04Do I need to sand or adjust them?
Not to play. Some players smooth the back on flat glass if a reed sits unevenly on the mouthpiece, but that's optional.
