- Tip: The thin, pointed end of the reed that vibrates when air passes through it, producing sound.
- Vamp: The tapered portion of the reed that gradually thickens from the tip to the heart. Most of the variability in reeds comes from the shape of the vamp.
- Heart: The central, thicker section of the reed that helps determine its overall strength and flexibility.
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Reed Buying Guide
If you've ever bought reeds, you've probably been confronted with way more questions than you expected. You say, "I need reeds", and the store clerk says, "what instrument? what brand of reeds? what type? what style of music do you play? what strength do you use now? how many do you need?" and you're suddenly questioning everything you know about the instrument you just started playing.
This article will explain some key differences between popular brands and types, and why someone may choose one over another.
Anatomy of a Reed
- Rail: The thin edges of the reed running along both sides, which affect the reed’s responsiveness and tone.
- Heel: The base of the reed where it is attached to the mouthpiece, providing stability and control.
- Shoulder: The area between the vamp and the heel, contributing to the reed's overall balance and playability.
- Bark: The rough, external surface of the reed that provides texture and helps grip the mouthpiece.
Reed Strength
When choosing clarinet and saxophone reeds, there are many options available. Selecting the right reed is essential for a good playing experience, and the most important factor to consider is reed strength.
Reed strength refers to its thickness: the higher the strength, the thicker the reed, making it more difficult to play. In other words, a stronger reed requires more air to produce a sound but also yields a fuller, richer tone.
Reeds come in various strengths, typically ranging from 2 (softer) to 5 (harder). Beginners should start with a lower-strength reed, as it’s easier to produce a sound and requires less effort. As a player gains experience, they can gradually increase the strength, moving from 2 to 2.5, and eventually to 3 or 3.5.
(Note: While sizes 1 and 1.5 are available, they are often too soft for most players, even beginners.)
A reed that is too soft may squeak or wear out quickly, while a reed that is too hard may sound airy or fuzzy without the proper embouchure (lip muscles) to support it. Finding the right balance is key, and most teachers recommend starting with a 2 or 2.5 strength for the first 6 to 12 months while developing embouchure skills.
It’s crucial to choose the correct reed strength, but the brand and type of reed, as well as the mouthpiece you pair it with, also affect performance. As you progress, experimenting with different reeds can help you find the best fit for your developing skills. Even professionals continue to search for the ideal combination of reed and mouthpiece for years.
Reed strength can vary a lot between makers, and even between brands within a maker! The two most popular reed brands for students are D'addario Rico and Vandoren Traditional. You can look at the chart above and compare that a Rico (Orange, at the top of the chart) is in general a softer reed than Vandoren (Royal Blue, in the middle). A size 2.5 Vandoren is even thicker than a size 3 Rico. Many players start out on Rico reeds because they are less expensive, but if you are transitioning to Vandoren you want to be sure you aren't jumping a strength in the process.
Other Important Variables
Another variable that can affect how a reed plays is the shape of the heart. Take a look at the topographical image of the reeds above, and you can see that different brands (all Vandoren reeds) are shaped very differently and will respond in different ways. The more pointed the arch, the thicker the spine and heart, and conversely, the thinner the side bevels. Reeds with a thicker heart generally offer more control and stability, particularly in the lower register, but they can require more air and effort to play. On the other hand, a reed with a thinner heart tends to be more flexible, providing quicker response and easier articulation, which can be ideal for fast passages or jazz playing.
The tip of the reed is the most sensitive area and influences the reed's ability to vibrate and produce a clean, clear sound. A thinner tip tends to respond quicker and offers a brighter tone, while a thicker tip provides more control and a warmer, richer sound (and longevity of the reed).
Synthetic (Plastic) Reeds
There is a time and place for everything, and synthetic reeds are no exception!
If you're searching for a durable, long lasting reed that isn't affected by temperature or humidity and doesn't need to be soaked, a plastic reed might be right for you. They are perfect for marching band, pit orchestra, teaching, and other situations where you you need to pick up the horn and play it without any prep. They play exactly the same out of the box, every time, so you don't need to worry about finding a "good" reed, as they're all the same.
Syntheic reeds are usually made of plastic (or a plastic-covered-cane reed hybrid), and can last 6 months with careful use. The tips are still susceptible to breaking, but they don't wear out as fast as a cane reed. They typically play about a 1/4 to 1/2 strength harder than their cane counterparts, depending on what you normally use, so we recommend sizing down (if you normally play on a Vandoren 3, get a Venn 2.5.)
The downside to synthetic reeds is that, for most people, the sound is not as good as the sound of a cane reed for both clarity and tone quality. But depending on your needs, you may find that a synthetic reed is better for your setup.
Popular plastic reed brands are Legere, Plasticover, and Venn.
Reed Recommendations
It can be very difficult to make recommendations for reeds when every player's embouchure and equipment is different. But if you're looking for a place to start your search, here is a general list of reed suggestions for various uses.
Clarinet
Beginning Band to Intermediate Band
Most players for the first few years will do just fine on either a D'addario Rico or Vandoren Traditional reed in a size 2 - 2.5.
Check with your band teacher about what they recommend, some teachers are more selective than others.
Advanced Middle School - Early High School
As your embouchure develops, you will need to step up to a stronger reed, like a 3 or 3.5. If you're playing on Rico, you may decide it's time to move to a Vandoren reed, as they play nicer and last longer than the Rico.
Late High School - College and Beyond
At this point, you can start experiment with different brands of reeds. For classical playing, many players like the D'addario Reserve, Reserve Classic, or Evolution reeds, or the Vandoren V12, V21, and Rue Lepic reeds.
Saxophone
Beginning Band to Intermediate Band
Most players for the first few years will do just fine on either a D'addario Rico or Vandoren Traditional reed in a size 2 - 2.5.
Check with your band teacher about what they recommend, some teachers are more selective than others.
Advanced Middle School - Early High School
As your embouchure develops, you will need to step up to a stronger reed, like a 3 or 3.5. If you're playing on Rico, you may decide it's time to move to a Vandoren reed, as they play nicer and last longer than the Rico.
Late High School - College and Beyond
At this point, you can start experiment with different brands of reeds.
For Classical playing, many players like the D'addario Reserve reeds, or the Vandoren V12 or V21 reeds.
For Jazz playing, many players prefer the D'addario Select Jazz reeds, the Vandoren ZZ or V16 reeds, or the Java reeds (in Unfiled or Filed.)
When Should I Replace My Reed?
As a general guideline, it’s a good idea to replace your reed every 2-4 weeks, even if you’re not playing every day. If you're practicing for several hours each day, you might need to replace it more often.
Reeds can vary in how long they last, so some may wear out quicker than others. A reed that’s “dead” will have a duller sound and feel easier to blow through, with less resistance to your air. You may squeak more often than before.
If your reed cracks or chips, it's time for a replacement. Any damage can significantly affect how well it plays. Synthetic reeds tend to last longer and can often provide consistent performance for several months.
Other Tips for Caring for Your Reeds
• Always keep an extra reed or two on hand, just in case! Reeds are delicate and can break easily if they come into contact with hard surfaces or objects.
• When you’re not playing, store your reed in its case, not on the mouthpiece. Keeping it on the mouthpiece can cause the reed to warp and make it harder to play. We recommend a reed guard that holds multiple reeds, so you can cycle through reeds and let them all dry out properly, making them last longer.
• Because reeds are made from natural materials, each one is a little different. Occasionally, you may come across a "dud" reed that doesn’t play well, even when it’s brand new. Though factories do quality control, this can still happen from time to time.
• Since you’ll be replacing reeds frequently, buying them in bulk (usually in packs of 5-10) is a great way to save money and ensure you always have spares available.