Detail 01
Strength 5
The hard end of the scale. Takes serious air and embouchure strength. On the wrong mouthpiece it simply will not vibrate.
Product detailSKU #1274034480566
Rico RoyalTenor Saxophone Reeds, Box of 10 Strength 5
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Rico Royal tenor sax reeds in strength 5, ten to a box. Built for experienced players on resistant setups, not for general use.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Advanced tenor players on close-tip-opening mouthpieces
- Players with a strong embouchure chasing a focused, controlled tone
- Anyone who already plays 4.5 and wants more resistance
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Students and intermediate players — this will not sound
- Players on wide-open jazz mouthpieces, which pair badly with hard reeds
- Anyone unsure of their strength; buy a smaller box first
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
Box of 10
About $4.90 a reed. Enough to rotate properly, which matters more at high strengths where break-in takes longer.
Detail 03
Tenor saxophone cut
Fits tenor mouthpieces only. Not interchangeable with alto, baritone, or clarinet reeds.
Detail 04
Uncoated cane
Natural cane surface. Warmer and more responsive to breaking in than coated reeds, but more affected by humidity.
Detail 05
Hard reed plus tip opening
Reed strength and mouthpiece tip opening work against each other. Harder reeds pair with narrower tips, softer with wider.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Reeds only — no mouthpiece or ligature included
- 02Strength 5 is a specialist choice; confirm your mouthpiece suits it before buying ten
- 03Hard reeds need a longer break-in, several short sessions before full playing
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Should I buy strength 5?
Only if you already play 4.5 comfortably and your mouthpiece has a narrow tip opening. Most tenor players land between 2.5 and 3.5.
02Why does my reed feel impossible to blow?
A strength 5 on a wide-open mouthpiece takes more air pressure than most players can produce. Either drop reed strength or move to a closer mouthpiece.
03How do I break in a hard reed?
Play it for a few minutes, then set it aside to dry. Repeat over several days. Rushing a hard reed straight into a long session warps it.
04Can I use these on baritone sax?
No. Baritone reeds are larger. These are cut for tenor and will not seal properly on a baritone mouthpiece.
