Where can I buy clarinet reeds?

You can get clarinet reeds from various music stores across the country and even in your local area. Clarinet reeds are also available on various online shopping platforms like Amazon, Alibaba, Aliexpress and Walmart.

If you’re a beginner, you’re probably wondering where to get reeds for your clarinet. Even experienced clarinet players are sometimes confused about where to buy reeds. There is a wide range of clarinet reeds in the market and they can be bought from various stores, online platforms and brands. Anyone can be overwhelmed by all these options. In this article, you’ll find the various places you can buy reeds and the best reeds recommended. Also, you’ll learn about how to select and care for your reeds once you’ve bought them so keep reading.

How to select what reed to buy

Before heading to the store to buy reeds, it is crucial to first understand the importance of these items and how to select the right one. First and foremost, a reed is important in a clarinet because, without it, the instrument won’t produce any sound. It’s the vibrations of the reed that creates the foundation of the instrument’s tone. This is a delicate item in a clarinet and the subtlest difference in its state, will have a profound effect on the kind of sound or tone your clarinet will produce.

So, to select the right reed for you, the most basic thing you need to do is make sure you are purchasing a reed for a clarinet. Most beginners sometimes find themselves buying saxophone reeds. Secondly, understand the anatomy of a reed. Reeds exist in various cuts; the American cut, the French cut and the German cut. Cuts can also affect the sound of your clarinet. If you’re a beginner, ask your music teacher to advise you on which cut to purchase.

Additionally, while selecting the kind of reed to purchase, consider the material. There are cane reeds, made from wood, and synthetic reeds. Generally, cane reeds are less durable but they produce a better sound quality than synthetic ones. However, the difference in sound quality between these two materials is subtle.

Last but not least, consider the strength of the reed. Reed strength is typically indicated by numbers from 1 to 5 or by the terms “soft”, “medium” and “hard”. Beginners are advised to purchase reeds 1-2 or “soft” as these are easier to play with.

Clarinet brands to buy reeds from

There are various clarinet brands in the market, some good and others terrible and selecting your reeds from a good brand is crucial. It is wise, especially if you’re a beginner, to try out various brands to find out which brand you like the best. Among the best-rated clarinet brands on the market are Vandoren, Rico and D’Addario.

Vandoren is among the best and most well-known brands that manufacture reeds and most music teachers and professional clarinet players recommend this brand. This company has been manufacturing clarinet reeds since 1905. The canes used to manufacture Vandoren reeds are grown, harvested and distributed from Southern France to the rest of the world.

D’Addario is among the largest musical accessories manufacturer in the world and in 2004, D’Addario bought Rico Reeds, another popular brand that manufactured clarinet and saxophone reeds. D’Addario has affordable and good quality reeds compared to other companies thanks to their innovative machines. Aside from the cane reeds, D’Addario also produce high-quality synthetic reeds that produce great sound.

The table below has summarized the pros and cons of some of the best reeds from the brands discussed above.

Reeds.	Pros.	Cons.
Vandoren CR101 Bb Clarinet reeds.	Excellent response in all registers Extremely flexible. Available in all strengths. Excellent for beginners. Good quality Affordable.	Affected by humidity and extreme temperatures. Susceptible to cracking and warping.
D’Addario Rico Bb Clarinet reeds.	Easy to play with. Produces good sound quality. Affordable.	Affected by weather conditions. Prone to cracking and warping.
D’Addario Royal Bb Clarinet reeds.	Ease of response in low registers. Works well in both jazz and classical application. Good quality. Good for both intermediates and pros.	They are strong, thus harder for beginners to play.
Vandoren CR8035 V21Bb Clarinet reeds.	Great for intermediates and pros. Good quality. Easy to play with in more registers. Provides warmer and more resonant sound.	Harder for beginners to play with. Affected by humidity and extreme temperatures. Prone to cracks and warps.
Vandoren V.12 CR1925 for Bb Clarinets.	Produces a richer and deeper sound. Has a thick tip thus increasing longevity. Available in various strengths. Good quality.	Prone to cracking and warping. Affected by humidity and temperature. Slightly pricey.
Tanbi Music 10 Bb Clarinet reeds.	Good quality. Great for both beginners and advanced players. Easy to play with. Affordable.	Harder to reach higher registers with.
Vandoren CR121 Bass Clarinet reeds.	Excellent response in all registers. Extremely flexible and soft thus great for beginners. Produces good quality sound.	Affected by humidity and extreme temperatures. Prone to warping and cracking.
Vandoren 56 Rue Lepic Bb Clarinet reeds.	Great for advanced players. They are responsive regardless of the register. Creates focused tones.	Hard for beginners to play with. Pricey.

Stores or shops to buy from

You can get clarinet reeds from any music store and on online shopping platforms like Amazon, Walmart, Alibaba (in bulk) and Aliexpress. If you’re a beginner, it is advised you buy reeds from a music store as you can get help with selecting the right ones.

How to maintain reeds after purchasing

Once you buy your reeds it is important to care for them properly. Practises like moistening a reed before any performance, storing the reeds in a reed case, properly drying reeds before storage and rotating reeds will prolong the life of your reeds.

Conclusion

Reeds are available in various stores and leading online shopping platforms and knowing how to select the right reed for your clarinet and which brand to choose from is crucial.

FAQs

How much is a clarinet reed?

Price varies depending on the material and the brand of the reed.

Which clarinet brand is the best?

Vandoren and D’Addario are the best clarinet reed manufacturers.