VK reeds for alto saxophone are made from a patented composite material specially developed by Vandoren and the result of seven years of research. This fibre composite material does not imitate the structure of reed, but reproduces its essential physical characteristics, enabling the synthetic reed to achieve the same acoustic behaviour as reed reeds. The Vandoren VK material is impervious to moisture, rot-proof, does not warp when dried and is saliva-resistant. It is washable and can be disinfected with alcohol or any food-grade disinfectant. For alto saxophone, the VK1 reed is of the Jazz type. VK reed strengths correspond to sixths of reed reed strengths. Two reeds of the same strength are strictly identical in terms of feel, timbre, detachment, projection and treble stability.