Best
Best Overall Clarinet Reed
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Overall: Responsive and clear over all register, staccato and legato playing.
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Best Feature: Great Tone And Response In All Registers.
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TedScore™: 9/10
Best
Beginner Clarinet Reed
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Overall: One Of The Few Reeds Made Just For Beginners
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Best Feature: Easy Blowing And Very Responsive
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TedScore™: 8/10
Best
Accessory for Clarinet
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Overall: Cleaning Both Your Instrument And Mouthpiece
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Best Feature: This Set Includes Key Oil, A Clarinet Pull-Through, And A Woodwind Brush Set
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TedScore™: 10/10
Whether you’re just starting out or have years under your belt, if you play the clarinet, you’ll *definitely* need a reed. Picking the right reed? Tricky business! So many choices! But don’t fret, this **ultimate clarinet reeds guide** is here to guide you in picking and looking after your reeds!
What Are Reeds And What Is Their Function?
The clarinet and saxophone, unlike the bassoon and oboe (these use double reeds), are single reed instruments. But first, what is a clarinet reed?
A clarinet reed is a single piece of cane and needs a mouthpiece to make a sound. Clarinet reeds look like a small piece of wood but they are a vital part of the clarinet, the instrument literally doesn’t work without a reed! Once the reed is attached to the mouthpiece and held in place with a ligature, you can blow down the instrument, the reed vibrates and beautiful sounds will be made!
Natural reeds are made from a type of cane, similar to bamboo. Synthetic reeds made from resin are also available to buy and will be mentioned later in this article.
Parts of Reed
Clarinet reeds may be small but they have a pretty complex structure. Did you know that there are nine different parts within a reed? Take a look at this handy diagram of a clarinet reed with all nine parts labelled.
The tip of the reed is the most delicate of the reed can can chip or split quite easily so be careful not to bump it on your music stand or catch it on your clothes!
Clarinet Reed Sizes
Reeds, like shoes, come in half sizes. The numbers are generally referred to as ‘strengths’. They start at strength 1 (a soft reed) and go all the way up to strength 5 (a hard reed). Some brands don’t use the number system and describe their clarinet reed size as “soft”, “medium”, “hard” etc.
The strengths differ from brand to brand so it’s important to try a few reeds to see which brand and strength suit your style of playing, but a simple rule of thumb to follow is “the higher the number the harder the reed”. Beginners usually start playing on a softer reed and then gradually move up through the numbers.
Clarinet Reeds Strength Chart
There are quite a few clarinet reed strength charts available online. This chart is the clearest, comparing different brands and different strengths at a glance.
How to Buy Clarinet Reeds
Brand Matters
It is very important to buy reeds from a respected brand. Unfortunately there are some websites offering non-branded reeds at very cheap prices. These are not to be trusted, the reeds are not made properly, won’t sound good and won’t last. The two brands (for natural cane reeds) which can be trusted and come highly recommended are Rico (now supplied under the D’Addario name) and Vandoren.
Softer Reeds vs Harder Reeds
As mentioned above, reeds come in a variety of strengths: soft, medium and hard. This is the case for regular cane reeds and synthetic reeds alike. Most reed manufacturers use a numbering system – the higher the number, the harder the reed.
Soft Reeds
Most beginning students start on a fairly soft reed – usually a 1.5 or 2 strength. These reeds will be very responsive and help a new player get those first sounds easily. They will help a young player make the leap into the high notes of the clarinet too.
Hard Reeds
Once a student has been playing for a while it is usually time to progress onto a harder reed, usually a strength 2.5 or above. A harder reed provides more resistance and can help develop a darker tone. Using harder reeds often help with the tuning of higher notes. Most advanced players and professional musicians use hard reeds.
How Do I Know It's the Right Strength?
Your reed should feel comfortable to play – not too hard and not too easy. When testing your reeds be sure to play high notes, low notes, legato phrases and staccato rhythms. Ask yourself if everything sounds and feels good. Think about your embouchure as well – does it feel comfortable or are your tending to bite or squeeze – this is an indication that your reed might be too hard.
Decide on the Cut: Regular Cut or French File Cut
Regular Cut
Regular cut reeds, sometimes also called American cut reeds, usually have a thinner tip and are a responsive, easy to play design. An example of a regular cut reed is the Rico by D’Addario reed. These are a good option for beginner players but can be a bit more delicate at the tip of the reed so be careful not to bump it!
French File Cut
French file cut reeds have a thicker heart and usually produce a darker, more rounded sound. The Vandoren Traditional reeds recommended throughout this article are French Cut reeds. French File cut reeds are a great choice for an advancing student who wants to work on their sound and tone quality.
This video has an excellent, simple explanation of both cuts of Bb clarinet reeds:
Buy in Bulk
Reeds are made from cane, a natural material. Although the vast majority of reeds come individually wrapped, they are easily damaged and can be affected by the weather and also sometimes the reeds will just not suit you as a player. Out of every ten reeds you might find that 3 or 4 will be duds. When purchasing reeds, getting a box of ten rather than individual reeds will give you have a better chance of finding a good selection of reeds.
Top 8 Clarinet Reeds To Buy
5 Best Reeds For Clarinet
DESIGNED FOR: all styles of playing and all styles of player!
FEATURES: Great tone and response in all registers.
OTHER INFO: Available in packs of 10
Vandoren Traditional Clarinet reeds
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!
- Responsive and clear over all register, staccato and legato playing.
- Available in half size increments from 1 - 5.
- Individually packaged to protect damage and warping.
- Slightly more expensive than some 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™.
DESIGNED FOR: Producing a darker, resonant tone
FEATURES: Durable and (hopefully) long-lasting
OTHER INFO: The V12 is a thicker cut than the Vandoren Traditional reed, using the same template as an alto saxophone reed. This helps to produce a darker, richer tone.
Vandoren V12
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!
- Thicker tip for a darker sound and longer lasting reed.
- Has a 3.5+ strength for more strength choices.
- One of the more expensive reed options.
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™.
DESIGNED FOR: The advancing student
FEATURES: Cut specifically for a reliable tone over all registers
OTHER INFO: These reeds are available in a variety of reed strengths, from 1.5 (soft) to 5 (hard).
Royal by D'Addario
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!
- A responsive reed choice with a strong spine for durability and a brighter sound
- Available in strengths all the way up to 5, so there is a reed for everyone!
- The thinner profile is delicate, so be careful not to chip this 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™.
DESIGNED FOR: All clarinettists!
FEATURES: Cut to help produce a warm, resonant tone.
OTHER INFO: D'Addario reserve are the first organic reed on the market
D'Addario Organic Reserve
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!
- Suitable for Classical and Jazz players
- Individually wrapped in fully recyclable materials
- Only available in strengths 2 - 4.5
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™.
DESIGNED FOR: All clarinettists!
FEATURES: Every reed made is identical
OTHER INFO: Designed to produce a warm, rich tone
Legere Signature Synthetic Reed
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 synthetic material so unaffected by any atmospheric conditions
- Very strong and durable - they are virtually unbreakable!
- Usually only readily available from specialist music shops
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™.
3 Best Beginner Clarinet Reeds
DESIGNED FOR: A student clarinet player
FEATURES: Easy blowing and very responsive
OTHER INFO: One of the few reeds made just for beginners
Juno by Vandoren
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!
- Out of the box ready - no blowing in required
- Easy to play, helping confidence and progress
- Only go up to strength 2 so students will need to swap to another style of reed when a harder reed is required.
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™.
DESIGNED FOR: The advancing student
FEATURES: Cut specifically for a reliable tone over all registers
OTHER INFO: These reeds are available in a variety of reed strengths, from 1.5 (soft) to 5 (hard).
Royal by D'Addario
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!
- A responsive reed with a strong spine for durability.
- Available in strengths all the way up to 5, so there is a reed for everyone!
- The thinner profile is delicate, so be careful not to chip this 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™.
DESIGNED FOR: all styles of playing and all styles of player!
FEATURES: Great tone and response in all registers.
OTHER INFO: Available in packs of 10
Vandoren Traditional Clarinet reeds
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!
- Responsive and clear over all register, staccato and legato playing.
- Available in half size increments from 1 - 5.
- Individually packaged to protect damage and warping.
- Slightly more expensive than some 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™.
Must-Have Clarinet Accessories
DESIGNED FOR: Keeping all your reeds in perfect condition
FEATURES: Humidity control to help prevent reed damage
OTHER INFO: Airtight Gasket Seal Keeps The Reeds Safe And Stable Whilst Travelling
Clarinet Reed Case - Rico Multi-instrument reed storage case
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!
- Can be used for all single reeds of a variety of sizes
- Removeable humidity packs help prevent warping or reed damage
- The humidity pack is a separate product and needs to be replaced every couple of months.
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™.
DESIGNED FOR: Ideal for students
FEATURES: Folds up and stores in the clarinet bell
OTHER INFO: The 15228's shape holds your clarinet by the sound hole, keeping it secure without putting pressure on the keys.
Clarinet Stand - K&M 15228 Clarinet Stand
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!
- Light but sturdy, holding your precious instrument safely
- It can be a bit fiddly to assemble in a hurry
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™.
DESIGNED FOR: Ideal for students and professional musicians
FEATURES: Compartments for your clarinet and music stand
OTHER INFO: The hard outer shell makes this a very sturdy case
Clarinet Cases - BAM Trekking Bb Clarinet and Music Stand Case
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!
- Back-pack straps and a large accessories pocket makes this an ideal choice
- Sturdy and durable design to keep your instrument safe.
- There are cheaper case options available
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™.
DESIGNED FOR: Younger players
FEATURES: Padded neck strap for added comfort
OTHER INFO: The Bb Clarinet Strap provides extra stability and takes some of the weight of the instrument.
Clarinet Neck Strap - BG Clarinet Strap (non-elastic)
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!
- Adjustable strap to help take some of the weight of the instrument
- Durable and washable
- Can affect posture, some musicians prefer to use a padded thumb rest instead
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™.
DESIGNED FOR: Cleaning both your instrument and mouthpiece
FEATURES: Comes with key oil, a clarinet pull-through, and a woodwind brush set
OTHER INFO: Includes a Free Bag
Clarinet Cleaning Kit - Champion Clarinet Care Kit
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!
- Comprehensive kit for maintenance needs
- None!
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™.
Clarinet Reed Tips
Now that you’ve chosen your reed you need to know how to use it and how to take care of it too!
How To Put A Clarinet Reeds On
A general rule of thumb is that the tip of the reed should line up with the top of your mouthpiece. You might find that you need it a touch lower or higher to suit your own style of playing. You should then fix it in place with your ligature. Make sure that you don’t do the ligature up too tight as this will restrict the vibration of the reed.
How To Care For Your Reeds
In order to keep your reeds in good condition there are a few rules you should follow.
Always, always, always take your reed off at the end of each lesson, rehearsal or concert.
Dry it gently and let it dry properly. This will stop the reed going mouldy – yes they really can go mouldy!
Keep your reed in a reed case if at all possible. This will help stop warping.
Be careful not to bump the tip of the reed on anything to avoid chips and cracks.
Try to avoid using lip gloss or lipstick when playing – wipe it off before you play!
Synthetic reeds can be gently cleaned with warm, slightly soapy water.
How Do I Know When To Replace My Reed?
If your reed gets damaged then you must replace it. Any chips or cracks make a reed very difficult to play and will affect the sound quality.
Another top tip is that as your reed gets old, it will also get quite stuffy sounding or unresponsive. The intonation and tuning might also be affected. Then its a good idea to change your reed.
Its a good idea to have 2 or 3 reeds on the go at a time. Then you will not be caught short if your “favourite” reed gets damaged or looses its shine!
The Ultimate Clarinet Reed Guide
Summary
We hope that you found this ultimate guide to choosing a clarinet reed helpful and can now go and try some reeds with confidence! T
Try a few different brands and strengths and have some fun, what is right for one player might not work for you.
The perfect reed for you is out there somewhere!
While the article provides a comprehensive overview on the topic of clarinet reeds, I believe it overlooks the nuanced differences that various brands offer beyond simply the cut and strength of their reeds. In my experience, certain brands tend to favor a darker, more mellow tone suitable for classical genres, whereas others might lean towards a brighter, clearer sound that many contemporary players seek. So, while the cut and strength are undeniably significant factors, the brand’s overall design philosophy should not be underestimated in its contribution to a reed’s performance and sound.
Great breakdown on the clarinet reeds and their various aspects. It’s always intriguing to see the differences between woodwind instruments, especially coming from a sax background. The part about the reed sizes and their strengths was particularly insightful. Thanks for sharing!
Totally agree! Coming from a jazz background, it’s so cool to see how other woodwinds approach reed selection.
cool article, always wondered about reed sizes n stuff
Hey Bethan Greenaway, I’ve been playing the clarinet for a couple years now and always struggle with choosing the right reed strength. I noticed you mentioned about deciding on the cut between regular and French file. Could you maybe dive a bit deeper into how each cut affects the sound or playability? Also, does the brand really make a big difference or is it more about the cut and strength? Thanks for all the helpful info!