Best
Overall Clarinet Reed
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Overall: Provide great tone and response in all registers of the instrument
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Best Feature: Offers a varied amount of dynamic range and a number of styles
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TedScore™: 9/10
Best
Budget Clarinet Reed
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Overall: Made from premium cane for a consistent durability
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Best Feature: With a thin blank for an instant, reliable sound
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TedScore™: 7/10
Best
Value Clarinet Reed
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Overall: With a thin, unfiled blank, which results in a clear and quick response
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Best Feature: Produces a warm and clear tone
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TedScore™: 7/10
Starting to play the clarinet is a *thrilling* journey, especially for first-timers. Yet, besides the actual instrument, its accessories are *key* to shaping the **sound** it makes.
Reeds are an essential part of the clarinet and are responsible for producing sound. However, choosing one from the massive selection of Clarinet Reeds for Beginners can be overwhelming. Worry not if you’re finding it challenging to choose the perfect reeds. We got your back!
This article will cover everything you need to know about reeds, factors to consider while choosing them, and the best reed strength recommendations for beginners.
So, let’s get started and find the best clarinet reed for beginners!
What Are Reeds and What Do They Do?
Reeds are essential to the sound of a clarinet. A reed is a thin piece made out of Arundo Donax grass (also known as Mediterranean reed grass) that creates acoustic waves that produce sound in woodwind instruments. When air flows consistently through the reed, it vibrates, creating periodic pressure waves in the instrument’s air column that produce the sound.
Nowadays, synthetic reeds made of plastic or carbon fibre offer longer lifespans. But natural cane reeds remain more popular among clarinet players. Different brands of reeds have different sound qualities that clarinetists and musicians praise.
Factors to Consider In Choosing a Clarinet Reed
Looking for clarinet reeds suitable for beginners? Begin your musical journey with top-rated beginner-friendly clarinet reeds. These reeds are designed to provide easy playability, consistent sound, and durability, helping beginners achieve a smooth and enjoyable learning experience.
But how can you find the perfect clarinet reeds for your beginner needs?
Choosing the right clarinet reed is essential as it plays a vital role in defining the sound you produce. While selecting such a reed, you should consider its strength which measures flexibility and density. The type of reed a clarinet uses also impacts the sound quality, and its elasticity level can not be overlooked.
The right reed is a personalized choice that suits your playing style, mouth shape, and music type.
Reed Strength
Reed strength is a measure of the flexibility and density of the reed, with strengths ranging from 1-5. Half-size and quarter-size reeds are also available.
So, what strength of clarinet reeds is perfect for beginners?
It’s important to note that reed strength is not standardized and can vary between manufacturers. Harder reeds, while producing better intonation and sound depth, can be harder to play for you as a beginner. As such, it’s recommended to start with a reed strength of 1-2.5 for easier sound production.
As you advance, you can gradually increase the strength of your reeds.
Reed Cut
There are two major cuts for clarinet reeds: French and regular.
Regular cut reeds are typically made to fit most mouthpieces, while French cut reeds are specifically designed to fit French-style clarinet mouthpieces. They have a thinner tip and a faster response time. French cut reeds tend to be slightly wider than regular cut reeds, which can cause issues for clarinet players using a German-style mouthpiece.
If you’re a beginner, the cut of your reed might not matter as much, but as you become more experienced, it can make a significant difference in your sound.
Brand
Choosing the right clarinet reed is an important part of learning to play the instrument. When deciding on a reed, it’s important to consider factors such as the brand. It’s generally recommended to stick with established brands such as Vandoren and D’Addario.
These brands have a reputation for producing high-quality reeds consistent in their performance. It’s important to avoid generic brands from online marketplaces like Amazon, as the quality of these reeds can be inconsistent.
What is the Best Clarinet Reed Strength for Beginners?
There’s no conclusive answer regarding choosing the best clarinet reed strength for beginner and advanced clarinet players. Reed strength is measured on a scale of 1-5, with half-size and quarter-size increments depending on the manufacturer.
Generally, the higher the number, the denser and less flexible the reed. The density and thickness of reeds affect the tone, intonation, and ease of play.
While harder reeds may produce a better sound and intonation, they are harder for beginners to play. A beginner player typically needs a softer reed to produce good sound and tone initially. Selecting the right reed strength depends on the player’s ability and preference, and experimenting with various strengths is essential.
Also, the recommended clarinet reed size for beginners is the one that’s easy to play and doesn’t require too much effort to produce sound. A reed size of 2 or 2.5 is ideal for beginners as it allows them to focus on learning proper technique and tone production without getting discouraged by difficult reeds.
5 Clarinet Reeds Recommendations for Beginners
Juno by Vandoren Clarinet Reeds
These reeds are easy blowing and adaptable, making them great for new players. Plus, they come in low strength to complement your skills as you improve. What’s great is that they’ve been given a special cut-down system that’s extra responsive, helping you to get better faster.
Once the reeds are precisely cut, each one is sealed up and ready to go.
DESIGNED FOR: students and beginners
FEATURES: Made from select cane grown in the Mediterranean
OTHER INFO: Designed with a special cut for an extra response
Juno by Vandoren Clarinet Reeds, 1.5 (10 Pack)
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- With 1.5 strength for beginners, offering more flexibility for an easier play
- Specially Designed for New Players
- Paced in humidity-balanced packs to keep them fresh
- Reed's strength only goes up to 2
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Royal by D'Addario Clarinet Reeds
With their filed cut and thinner profile, these new reeds offer increased clarity in your sound and ease of response. The Royal reeds are perfect for students and beginners; the affordable price point of traditional reeds also makes them a great choice for educators.
Featuring traditional reeds cut with a stronger spine and “French file”, these have greater resonance and harmonics, making your playing even more impressive.
DESIGNED FOR: student players
FEATURES: With a stronger spine for higher resonance and more vibrant harmonics in your sound
OTHER INFO: Offers an even response across all registers and even more tonal clarity
Royal by D'Addario Bb Clarinet Reeds, 1.5 (10 Pack)
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Made from premium cane for a consistent durability
- With a thin blank for an instant, reliable sound
- Individually sealed for optimum freshness
- Filed design for an instant response
- The thinner profile is delicate, so you have to be extra careful
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Vandoren Traditional Clarinet Reeds
They are the most widely played reeds in the professional world and are trusted by musicians of all styles. Their thin tip and thick heart produce crisp articulation with a full, dark sound.
Not only are they flexible enough to accommodate legato and staccato executions of large intervals, but they also maintain a richness of tone that gives body and clarity to the sound.
They’re super popular and come in various pack sizes and strengths to suit your needs.
DESIGNED FOR: beginner and students
FEATURES: Provide great tone and response in all registers of the instrument
OTHER INFO: Offers a varied amount of dynamic range and a number of styles
Vandoren Traditional Bb Clarinet Reed, 1.5 (10 Pack)
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Has great flexibility when playing legato and staccato notes with large pitch intervals
- With an age-old design with a superiority that has been proven over many years
- Suited for all styles and genres of music
- Slightly pricier compared to other reeds on the market
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Rico by D'Addario Clarinet Reeds
These reeds are designed with beginners and educators in mind, featuring a traditional blank and profile for ease of response. And what’s even better, they are now crafted with state-of-the-art machinery and reed-making process, resulting in unprecedented consistency.
Rico Reeds are a favourite among jazz musicians and instructors worldwide. So, if you want a great starter reed that feels soft and easy to play, go for the “orange reed box” classic.
DESIGNED FOR: student players
FEATURES: With a thin, unfiled blank, which results in a clear and quick response
OTHER INFO: Produces a warm and clear tone
Rico by D'Addari Clarinet Reeds, 1.5 (3 Pack)
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- Made from premium cane
- Went through precise manufacturing methods for a high level of consistency between reeds
- Ideal for developing musicians requiring a reliable sound and excellent playability
- Works well for both classical and jazz applications
- These are unfiled reeds which may require a bit more effort to play than filed reeds
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Legere Clarinet Classic Cut Synthetic Reed
This innovative reed features an original cut that creates a darker, more focused sound for your playing. Not only that, but it also provides instant response, is very durable, and is consistent every time you use it.
The precision cut is made with state-of-the-art machinery, so you can be sure you’re getting a quality product. Plus, the material used is designed to mimic the characteristics of damp cane as closely as possible.
DESIGNED FOR: beginners
FEATURES: With an original cut that produces a dark and more focused sound
OTHER INFO: Has a thicker reed tip making it ideal for marching bands and large ensembles
Legere Clarinet Classic Cut Synthetic Reed, 2
When you check the price above, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Gear4music.
It is the largest music retailer in the UK and fast becoming the most respected online music shop in the US too. Their customer service is excellent, they have competitive prices, really fast shipping, and usually have the longest guarantee.
Most professional musicians use Gear4music, so there is no reason why you shouldn’t too!
- With accurate strength and precision engineering
- Ready to use straight away
- Perfect for producing notes easily
- Some musicians find the sound to be less nuanced than a traditional reed
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Beginner Clarinet Reeds
Summary
Choosing the right reed can make a big difference in the sound and playability of your clarinet. When selecting a reed, it’s essential to consider factors such as strength, cut, and brand.
As a beginner, starting with a soft medium or medium-soft strength reed is best to provide the right balance of resistance and tone production. Remember that no two players have the same needs, so experiment with different reeds to find what works best for you.
The best clarinet reeds for beginners include Vandoren Traditional and D’Addario. These reeds offer excellent tone, response, and durability, making them ideal for novice clarinet players. They are widely recommended for their consistent performance and ease of use, ensuring a smooth learning experience.
Plus, if you’re asking where to buy clarinet reeds, you can purchase them at music stores, online retailers, and even some department stores that sell musical instruments. Popular online retailers for purchasing clarinet reeds include Gear4music, our personal favourite!
With our tips and recommendations, we hope this guide helped you pick the best clarinet reeds for your instrument!
What’s your best choice? We’d love to know in the comments!
Absolutely loved reading this piece! As someone who’s been in the school’s band since middle school and now stepping into the more serious part of high school competitions, picking the right clarinet reed has been a journey. I started with Juno by Vandoren as recommended by my instructor, which was indeed beginner-friendly. However, as I progressed, experimenting with different cuts and strengths from other brands made a noticeable difference in my sound quality and technique. It’s an unending quest for that ‘perfect reed,’ but articles like these make the journey less daunting and more exciting. Kudos to Lewis Turner for bringing light to a topic that might seem mundane to some but is crucial for us enthusiasts.
so you’re saying all these brands are the best, but isn’t it just personal choice? like one reed is not gonna make everyone sound like a pro. Seems a bit oversimplified, just saying.
Fantastic article! I’ve been playing the clarinet in a jazz setting for years, and it’s refreshing to see a straightforward, informative piece like this. I absolutely agree with the recommendations, especially the Vandoren Traditional Reeds; they’ve been my go-to for a consistent, warm tone. It’s great seeing them get the recognition they deserve. Keep up the great work, Lewis Turner.
hey, Lewis, so i’m new to playing the clarinet and was wondering if reed strength really makes a difference for someone just starting? thx!
Hey EllieMae, absolutely! A lighter reed strength can make it easier to produce sound when you’re just learning. It’s all about finding what feels comfortable for you.