We at Windysounds believe in the power and beauty of wind and reed instruments. Their unique structures produce gorgeous tones that will enhance any musical piece from any genre.
The clarinet is a wind instrument that requires a single reed to be attached to the mouthpiece. This reed is the most vital component of the clarinet as it is the main contributing factor to the overall sound of the instrument.
Knowing how important a reed is to a clarinet, we realized that finding a quality reed is of the utmost importance for any clarinetist.
We have reviewed the different strengths and cuts of the clarinet reeds that all the brands are currently offering within the market.
After careful review, we have been able to create a list of what we believe to be the 10 best clarinet reeds available in 2020.
Our Top Recommended Clarinet Reeds
Contents
List of 9 Best Clarinet Reeds on the Market Today:
1. VANDOREN CR103 REED
The Vandoren CR103 B flat reed is a traditional reed that provides an excellent response in all registers that are possible.
The flexibility of this reed allows precise execution of staccato and legato notes without compromising the overall quality of the sound that is produced.
Vandoren is a reliable brand that has been servicing musicians for decades. The CR103 reed is one of the best Vandoren clarinet reeds you can purchase.
Features
- Strength: 3
- Sold in Pack of 10
- Traditional cut
- Extremely flexible
- Each reed is sealed in a “Flow Pack” to ensure freshness
- Produces a rich and clear tone
- Some consumers complained of getting broken or split reeds in their pack
- The reeds need to be wet often for optimal use
Overall Windysounds Review
The Vandoren CR103 reed is perfect for clarinet players who are looking for a quality product to enrich their sound. We consider the CR103 to be one of the best Vandoren clarinet reeds on the market.
They can be purchased for around $25 and will be sure to enhance your performance in every way possible.
2. RICO B FLAT CLARINET REED
The Rico B flat clarinet reed is an excellent choice for those players who are looking for versatility within their sound. Rico is another brand that has been around in the music industry for a very long time.
The manufacturer, D’Addario who owns the brand Rico, has developed a new state-of-the-art technology for reed making that includes digital precision.
This precision leads to top quality and highly consistent products, making Rico a top brand for clarinet reeds.
Features
- Strength: 2.5
- Sold in packs of 10
- Unfiled Cut
- Easy to play
- Thin vamp
- Preferred amongst students and music teachers
- Great value for the money
- Customer have complained that these reeds tend to break easily
- Requires a lot of maintenance
Overall Windysounds Review
Despite the high maintenance, we still believe that the Rico B flat reeds are good clarinet reeds for beginners who are just learning how to play the instrument.
These reeds are affordably priced and produced by a manufacturer that has been trusted by educators for almost a century. Any clarinet player will appreciate the value of this reed, particularly when you can purchase a pack of 10 reeds for around $20.
3. ROYAL B FLAT CLARINET REEDS
The Royal B flat clarinet reeds are manufactured with the traditional cut. This reed will work well for those who use their clarinet skills to play classical and/or jazz music.
These reeds are designed to allow for easy playing. Royal is also owned by D’Addario; and has also been able to take advantage of their state-of-the-art digital production technology.
The quality construction allows the player to produce a pure tone with greater resonance.
Features
- Strength: 2.5
- Sold in packs of 10
- Traditional Cut
- Stronger Spine
- Filed Cut
- Extremely good value for the money
- Consumers have complained that these reeds tend to split easily
- The lower tones may not have the same quality as the higher tones
Overall Windysounds Review
The Royal B flat reed is a good buy for clarinet players. These reeds are great for practice and would be ideal for a student or someone who is just beginning to learn how to play.
The price of a 10 box for under $20 is a good overall value, and should definitely be considered for all of those who are beginning to learn to play the clarinet. Royal is a dependable brand that has been trusted for decades.
4. GLORY REEDS
The Glory reed is a great option for B flat clarinets. An extremely good value for those who are just starting to learn how to play; Glory reeds come 10 to a box and cost right around $10.
This reed also comes in various sizes, allowing for the player to customize their purchase in order to perfectly for their individual and specific needs.
In addition, beginners will be able to get more familiar with the sizes that are available and how the differences will effect their performance and sound.
Features
- Strength: Available in various strengths
- Sold in packs of 10
- Traditional cut
- Perfect for beginner clarinetists
- Have the option to try different strengths while you are learning
- Excellent Value
- It may be hard to produce some notes
- Quality may not be a high as other reeds
Overall Windysounds Review
We believe that these Glory reeds are the best clarinet reeds for beginners. They are a good value and provide an ease while playing that will be particularly appreciated for those are still learning the instrument.
Also, the ability to pick their strength allows the student to broaden their spectrum by trying out the different types of reeds that are available to them.
Learning about how the different strengths of reeds produce different tones will create a more educated and well rounded player.
5. VANDOREN CR123 BASE CLARINET REEDS
The Vandoren CR123 base clarinet reeds are traditional and therefore will provide an excellent response to the player in any register.
These are very flexible and allow for perfect execution of large intervals.
The clarity and rich tones provides body within your performance and create a gorgeous sound that will be remembered.
Vandoren is a trusted brand for musicians due to their reliability and quality products.
Features
- Strength: 3
- Sold in packs of 5
- Traditional Cut
- Flexibility to accommodate every players’ needs
- Products have extended longevity and high quality
- Reeds are pack in a “Flow Pack” for freshness
- It may take some time to break the reeds in
- Can be a bit more costly at $20 for a box of 5
Overall Windysounds Review
The Vandoren bass clarinet reeds are a great for beginners on the bass clarinet. They can be a bit expensive, at $20 per box of 5.
However, the investment will prove to be worth the money as these reeds are durable and will provide a gorgeous and rich tone while playing.
We consider these Vandorens to be the best bass clarinet reeds you can buy and highly recommend them due to their flexibility and the overall quality that the Vandoren brand has to offer from all if its products.
6. MITCHELL LURIE PREMIUM
The Mitchell Lurie Premium B flat clarinet reeds are a worthy contender of clarinet reeds on this list.
Although they can be bit more expensive than other clarinet reed brands; the Mitchell Lurie reeds are produced with a premium grade cane allowing for a more consistent response and overall better playability.
The Mitchell Lurie brand is part of the D’Addario family of highly dependable and innovative brands. Consequently, these reeds are filed cut by an optical laser to ensure extremely accurate measurements and providing optimal sound quality for your clarinet.
Features
- Strength: 2.5
- Sold in packs of 5
- Filed Cut
- Feature a thinner tip for easy response
- Easy to use
- Great quality for the price
- Some customers complained that the reeds are too thin and break easily
- The reed tends to be quite soft
Overall Windysounds Review
The Mitchell Lurie reeds are the best clarinet reeds available. We believe these are high quality and will produce a great overall sound when playing your clarinet.
The thinner reed allows for a quick tone in response to your breath, allowing for prolonged overall use. These reeds come in packs of 5 for around $11 a piece.
Although these can be a bit pricey, we believe the quality is worth the small investment for your music.
7. VANDOREN CR193 B FLAT CLARINET REEDS
Another quality reed from the extremely reliable brand of Vandoren. The Vandoren CR193 B flat clarinet reed has a thicker heel with a much longer palette.
This will allow for more vibration to be created when air is blown through. The additional vibration ; producing a deep and rich sound. The quality of this reed attributes to its extended life during play.
These are placed in sealed packages to preserve freshness and avoid moisture from reaching the reed and spoiling the product.
Features
- Strength: 3
- Sold in packs of 10
- Thicker heel and longer pallet
- Thicker tip produces more body in the sound and extends the reed’s lifespan
- Produced by a trusted brand
- The sound is produced with a crispness and clarity
- Much pricier than other reeds
- May be tough to blow through for inexperienced players
Overall Windysounds Review
These Vandoren CR193 B flat clarinet reeds are the most expensive clarinet reeds on the market, priced at around $30 for a box of 10.
Produced by an exceptional brand that has serviced the music industry for years, we believe that these reeds will produce a crisp sound.
Some have commented that the sound may require more air than a more traditionally cut reed would; which may eliminate these from the list for new players.
Despite this set back, Vandoren is one of the most trusted name in clarinet reeds and we highly recommend this reed.
8. KORMEST CLARINET REEDS
The Kormest clarinet reeds are traditional reeds that are manufactured with precision and quality.
With a thinner vamp cut purposly designed to make playing easier, the Kormest reeds come in a variety of strengths so as to accommodate clarinet players on all levels of the spectrum.
These reeds are made from natural canes and tend to be very soft, which is perfect for beginners.
Features
- Strength:
- Sold in packs of 10
- Traditional Cut
- Individually packed in a plastic case
- 100% Guarantee Replacement or Money Back,
- Great value
- Exceptional Quality
- Some have complained of having trouble hitting higher notes
- Different strengths may be softer than others
Overall Windysounds Review
We believe that the Kormest reeds are the best clarinet reeds for advanced players as well as beginners. These reeds are extremely high quality and provide a beautiful tone.
They are easy to use and come with individual storage cases which help to extend the overall lifespan of the product. The Kormest reeds are an excellent value for the money; with a box of ten costing around $13.
9. CECILIO CLARINET REEDS
The Cecilio clarinet reeds are an excellent value for your money. These reeds are extremely durable and perfect for new clarinet players. Their traditional cuts produce a vibrant sound that will keep you going as you play.
Features
- Strength: 2.5
- Sold in packs of 10, 2 packs come with purchase for a total of 20 reeds
- Traditional Cut
- Very durable
- Perfect for a beginner
- A great buy for those looking to have a stash of reeds at their disposal
- Can be difficult to play
- May have a tendency to squeak while playing
Overall Windysounds Review
An excellent value for the money, these Cecilio clarinet reeds are sold at $15 for two boxes; each containing 10 reeds. This is a total of 20 reed for the price.
Extremely durable, these reeds will last through countless hours of practice and performance.
The Cecilio reed package is perfect for beginner clarinet players, as they tend to go through reeds rather quickly as they are learning the ins and outs of the instrument.
FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING CLARINET REEDS
Often considered to be the most important part of a clarinet, the right reed can have an extreme effect on your overall sound. When considering the various options of reeds that are available on the market, it would be best to consider a few key factors.
First:
Unlike other items for sale, brand does matter when it comes to clarinet reeds. The longevity of a brand is a tell tale sign of the level of quality of the reed that is being produced.
Those brands that have been around for a long time, such as Vandoren and Rico, have been servicing all types of clarinet players for decades and their reeds have been able to stand the test of time through all genres of music.
Secondly:
You must consider what strength is appropriate for your use. The high the reed strength, the harder the reed. Reeds with harder strength produce a better sound, but are also more difficult to play.
Typically, a beginner will start with a lower strength and work their way up as they begin to progress and master their instrument.
The cut of the reed will also be something you will want to consider:
Reeds for clarinets are available in a regular cut or a French file cut. A French file cut tends to respond faster to the player.
Although this attribute may not be particularly necessary for a beginner clarinetist, more accomplished players may prefer this cut for their performances.
Factoring in items like the type of cut, the brand that is producing the reed, and obtaining the appropriate strength are key elements when conducting your reed search.
Keeping these items in mind will save much stress and allow for more time to practice your craft. The right reed can make all the difference in your sound, so be sure to choose wisely.
Clarinet reeds
Are an item that needs to be readily available when playing. This is a particularly true statement for those who are just starting their journey towards playing this amazing instrument.
Beginners will tend to go through reeds very quickly, and should purchase them in bulk if they have the means to do so. It is also imperative to learn the proper way to care for and maintain your reeds.
This will allow for a more extended use and keep your clarinet sounding great.
We are also pleased to bring to your attention lists of the best wind musical instruments, such as trombones and trumpets for beginners.
CONCLUSION
We at Windysounds believe in the beauty of clarinets and other wind instruments. Purchasing the best clarinet reeds can help improve the quality of your sound and allow you to perform at your best every time you pick up your instrument.
We hope that our list of the 10 best clarinet reeds of 2020 can guide you through your purchase and that you are able to gain some knowledge about the brands you were considering buying.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns regarding your clarinet or the reeds you are looking to purchase, feel free to reach out to us at Windysounds. We are always here to help fellow clarinetist with any of their needs.
