on the rico reeds is one and a half the weakest or the strongest

I believe it's the smaller the number, the weaker.

I normally use a 2 or a 3. Highest I've seen is a 4. And yes, higher the number, stronger the reed.

I agree with the ones above my message. I use 2 1/2 and they work awesomely. I love using those ones. #4 ones are tough to play

I use a 3, and i am in a high school marching band.

yes that is true the lower the number the softer
i like 4 cause they make my low tones sound very nice

I play Michel Laurie 3 1/2, but I hear they're like... pseudo-3 1/2's. I gotta get some new reeds...

Rico's are supposed to be softer than the other brands especially vandoren

yes i use a 2 and it has worked for me i am in 6th grade woodwinds

The lower the number, the softer the reed, and generally speaking, the weaker the tone. Brands also make a difference. Rico's tend to run soft for there number (This include's Mitchell Lurie's as they are made by Rico, but maybe tend to run a tad harder.) Vandoren Traditional's tend to be the standard in measuring. I personally use a Vandoren 4, which on a Rico would be about the equivilant of a Rico 5. It all depends on the player though. My teacher plays on Vandoren 3's and has a similar tone to me. It all depends on preference.

Rico's are supposed to be softer than the other brands especially vandoren

It's crazy. I have to get something like a 4.5 or a 5 if I have to get Mitchell Lurie reeds, but use a 3.5 in another Rico line.

I agree with jvanullen, it all depends on the person what strength to use. I've found it even varies with the weather! To answer your question, 1 is usually the softest, and 5 is usually the hardest.

I use 2s on my clarinet and 2 1/2 on my bass clarinet.

My band teacher told me reeds went up to 5?

Are you kidding?..... I play a three and im in middle school

gtrumble, it all depends on the player.

I use 3.5 traditional vandoren and they work fine