Reeds
Reeds are a critical part of many horns. The set the tone and timbre of the instrument and has a direct effect on intonation. I am a clarinet player but have experience in percussion and keyboard. I've always looked at brass, but never got my hands on a brass horn. Today I will be only talking about clarinet reeds, doing a break down on these 4 reeds of choice!​
Basic Rico Reeds
All basic Rico reeds are great if you are just starting, they are sold at a reasonable price, produce a fair tone, and that's about all the pluses. Really, after your second year of playing, you should be buying different boxes to try and find your brand for the intermediate season of your career. In these boxes, there are only ever a few reeds I would keep because by the time it's broken in, it should probably be replaced. But for most beginners, this is your box! start at 2 1/2 and work up till you can play on a Rico 4. Now you're ready to explore the others!
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D'Addario's Royal Reeds
This is the box I suggest first trying, these reeds are especially better in quality. You start to get a grip on your intonation and general quality of sound. a bit more expensive and not my box of choice, but it is a regular purchase for many mid-level clarinetists. But with all seriousness, these reeds are the choice of intermediate band directors I've met.
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D'Addario's Mitchell Lurie Reeds
Now to the box I favored for several years! This box is special because they only make it for Bb Soprano Clarinet. Honestly, the only reed I could let myself play throughout high school. It puts out the exact sound you want at the mid-level, but this is NOT universal! However, I suggest trying this box. It runs at a fair price point in spite of being hard to find at times. It put out a better tone for me than a Royal could so I encourage you to give this box a fair chance!
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Vandoren classic Reeds
Vandoren classic Reeds
Picking up your first Vandoren reed is a step towards a professional sound. A vast majority of professionals use a Vandoren reed of some sort. So this is where you go back to buying different boxes, finding your pro sound. I can't say really one box that will always deliver because it doesn't exist. Depending on the player and the horn, the sound will change. I favor Buffet clarinets and a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece with Vandoren Black Master reeds, however, this will not be a universal combination. The only downside to this box is simply the average running price of $25 a box. But the cost is for the pure quality found in every individually wrapped reed (to keep it at a single humidity). These are truly great reeds!
Picking up your first Vandoren reed is a step towards a professional sound. A vast majority of professionals use a Vandoren reed of some sort. So this is where you go back to buying different boxes, finding your pro sound. I can't say really one box that will always deliver because it doesn't exist. Depending on the player and the horn, the sound will change. I favor Buffet clarinets and a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece with Vandoren Black Master reeds, however, this will not be a universal combination. The only downside to this box is simply the average running price of $25 a box. But the cost is for the pure quality found in every individually wrapped reed (to keep it at a single humidity). These are truly great reeds!
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Keep a rotation!!!
Too many young musicians never learn this! All good clarinet players keep a constant rotation of reeds, a good amount is 4-10 reeds. I personally favor an 8 reed rotation with my humidity controlled reed case. Many people may be noticing now that I say humidity controlled and professional like PB&J. It's because reeds kept in a humidity controlled environment will always last much longer. So these reed cases are a great investment for those who are serious about music!