What strength does a beginner use?

For saxophone and clarinet, the general wisdom is to begin with a  2.50 strength reed. This most common strength provides an ease of playing, but with enough resistance to not play too easily and overblow. It also helps to begin the process of strengthening the embouchure and developing the muscles needed for control throughout the range of the instrument.

Exceptions to this do occur, including for younger children beginning to play, but the majority of players of most other levels begin with 2.50 strength.

See how strengths look between reed companies at our strength chart.