How Saxophone Reeds are Made

#bettersax #saxophone #reeds
Jay Metcalf visited the Rigotti reed production facility in the South of France for a tour and to learn exactly how saxophone reeds are made.

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[Mike-zbds]

The quality of these videos is unreal. Awesome job and thanks for the great videos!

[MrButternutsprinkles]

I was a sax player for years in school. I probably tossed out dozens of used and broken reeds without thinking twice about how they were made. Now I'll almost feel bad throwing away any of them at all! This is an amazing video. I have a whole new appreciation for the reeds sitting quietly on my counter, waiting to be played. Thank you.

[Blackdawn]

As a Tenor Sax and Clarinet player I can certainly appreciate this video, even today in 2021.

[hotman]

feels like a documentary. great quality! Wayyyy underrated

[kessokujason]

Saxophone players: why are reeds so expensive???

Double reed players: am I a joke to you?

[anthonydeguara]

I won't feel so bad about paying for these in the future. Really appreciate the effort you went to, to make this video. I have read about the process but the video brings it all home.
Thanks for this and your many other free videos. They all contribute to making me a better sax player.

[alexg.]

Bassoon and Oboe players must be angrily laughing right now.

[professorsc]

It's absolutely amazing! The average person does not realize how labor intensive so many aspects of music comprise. The hours of work done by the musician and by those such as the Reed makers remains a mystery to a lot of non musicians and some musicians. Thank you so much for posting this video. I will recommend this to my students.

[medsimvallejo]

WoW!!! Fantastic video!!! We now have 3 generations of saxophone players in my family and I can assure you, they will all see this video... Thank you. Put this on "How it's made"; The people will love it!!!

[troykurek]

Unbelievable how complex the process is, and the machinery. I figured they were farmed, stored and aged in a warehouse, and then processed in a factory, but there's so much more involved. Can only imagine how surreal the tour experience must have been.

[cyk]

this isn't a video. *it's a documentary.*
you were my inspiration to start playing saxophone, keep it up!

[meatsupplies]

So can they just send me all the reeds that are about to be composted?

[SarahSkilton]

I have played Sax and now Clarinet for over 10 years. I have never considered the process to making my reeds. This was captivating thank you for a fabulous lesson in reeds.

[thomaswalz]

I'm a guitarist... but always wondered how reeds were made... now I know. Great job! Thanks!

[vtieto]

This was a really nice video. It was about Rigotti reeds in particular, but should be interesting to anyone curious about how reeds are made. It did serve its purpose of making me appreciate all the work that goes into each reed which contributes to its cost. The video has very high production values and held my interest.
UPDATE July 2023: A friend of mine sent me a box of Rigotti Gold's a couple of years ago and they're now my reed of choice. Each reed I've pulled out of the box has become a "player" so yes, they're a little pricey, but if you score 10 of 10 you might actually save money over a cheaper but less consistent brand. I'll definitely be buying these in the future. Thanks again for the terrific video--I've ended up watching it a few times a years since it was published!

[jaek_]

People: so are you American or French?

Jay: Yes.

[bryandickerson]

This was really, really awesome! Finally, I get to see what I almost got to see 12 years ago. I’ve been a loyal Rigotti user (Tenor) for at least 20 years and contacted them when I traveled to Italy. In spite of their warm invite I was, unfortunately, unable to make it to their facility. This wonderful video unlocks the mysteries! Rigotti is one of the few reed producers that is still independent so fewer middle men take their share from the actual grower/producers. It’s kinda like getting your food at the farmer’s market rather than from a giant grocery store. And grown organically with compost to boot - extremely cool and worth every penny!

[gradymasonii]

Thank you for putting a new face to the world of Saxophones. It's people like you that keep young and aged players interested.



I had my first "gig" last saturday and put myself to the ultamate test not playing saxophone in 11 years.

I jumped WAY out of my comfort zone.


With a months notice and a chinese saxophone,
I played 4 popular songs (with solos) using your crash course and motivating down-to-earth way of just talking about saxophones.


In the end, I had people asking me for my business card.


Laughing as I'm typing, my Girlfriend knows you now as my best friend, and to be honest, In June, YOU WERE!


Thanks a lot and Greetings from an American in Germany!


-Grady Mason II



(P.S. My Chinese mouthpiece and ligature are being replaced by a Yamaha 5c + Rovner 1RL tomorow thanks to Amazon)

[mawa]

This video is one of my most favourite videos of you and has brought me on the way to test them. The quality of this reeds is indeed extrem high and they sound wonderful. Despite of that i test anyway different brands: Marca, Gonzalz, Boston Sax Shop, Hemje, etc.

[PPYTAO]

I have no idea why this video was recommended, but I watched the whole thing. That company is truly inspiring, I love seeing the product be the main focus of a business.