I am an "older" beginner to be(dad with high school musicians and a music background), and need some clarification on the hardness grading of reeds. Hard, medium, soft, etc.
What are the advantages or disadvantages of the grades and what I should start out with along with what is the most common preference??

Reeds are graded according to the hardness of their cane, which influences how much they vibrate when moistened properly. The hardness of cane is a function of the cane`s natural personality and the reed`s "scrape"--the way in which it was formed by its maker.

Soft reeds are the easiest on which to produce sound, and hard reeds are toughest. The usual grades seen are soft, medium soft, medium, medium hard, and hard. Most players eventually end up on a medium or medium hard reed, as softer reeds tend to close up once the embouchure develops and can produce a shallow, muffled sound.

That said, reed grading is somewhat subjective. Two different reed makers can call their reeds mediums, but those reeds might have different resistance, darkness or brightness of tone, length of cane and scrape style.

What reeds you start on will depend on your private teacher. He/she will advise you as to what reed will best suit you and on when to switch, as well as how to care for the reeds. Some teachers start their students on store-bought reeds, others insist on handmade reeds right from the start. My advice is not to buy your first reeds until you`ve consulted with your future private teacher.