Difficult to sum up in less than10,000words. The length of time you have played, to an extent will give an indication as to the strength of your chops. Really pointless playing harder reeds than you can handle. Your choice of m.p, is of paramount. Correct combo of m.p/reed....is more important to a developing player than what make of horn. Providing it blows free and the intonation is IN....dont worry about it. Concentrate on getting that, findingthat combo. more.....