What’s the Best Clarinet or Saxophone Reed for Me? |
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Clarinet and saxophone reeds come in various different shapes and sizes. As such, it can be hard to find the kind of reed that best suits you and your instrument. Here, we’ll offer answers to the most important questions about clarinet and saxophone reeds to help you find exactly what you need. If you have a question and can’t find the answer here, feel free to contact us! In a Nutshell
Nr. 2 Clarinet Reeds: Bb Clarinet / Eb Clarinet
1. What Do the Numbers Mean When it Comes to Reeds?The numbers indicate the hardness (or strength) and therefore how flexible the reed is. The higher the number, the thicker and harder the reed. A reed with a low number is more flexible and therefore easier to play. As the number gets higher, the sound also gets fuller, but the reed is harder to play. All reed manufacturers rate the strength of their reeds between 1 and 5, but unfortunately the scale they use can differ. However, while a Vandoren 2.5 reed won’t feel exactly the same as a D’Addario Woodwinds 2.5 reed, the difference isn’t all that big. Soprano Saxophone Reeds: 1 - 2.5 / 3 - 3.5 / 4 - 5
2. Can I Use Saxophone Reeds for a Clarinet?Clarinet reeds are specifically designed for the clarinet and therefore deliver the best clarinet sound. In most cases, reeds designed for the soprano saxophone will fit the mouthpiece of a clarinet but are not designed for them. So, while you can play a clarinet fitted with a soprano saxophone reed, it’s not really recommended.
3. Can I Use a Bb Clarinet Reed with a Eb or Bass Clarinet?In a word, no. The mouthpiece of Bb, Eb and bass clarinets are all different sizes. This is why there are reeds specifically designed for each type of clarinet. Also, there are no standard reeds available for A and C clarinets or other less common models, so if you're looking for reeds for a model like this, then it’s best to pick one depending on the size of your mouthpiece. If you have an A clarinet, you can usually use Bb clarinet reeds, and if you have a C clarinet, you can usually use Eb clarinet reeds.
4. Can I Use Alto-Saxophone Reeds for a Tenor or Soprano Saxophone?No. Because the mouthpieces of different types of saxophones are not the same size, you can only use reeds that have been specifically designed for your type of saxophone. Soprano Saxophone Reeds
5. How Long Can I Use a Reed for?
All Clarinet Reeds
6. What’s the Difference Between Various Series Offered by the Same Brand?Almost all reed manufacturers offer various different ranges or series of reeds. Standard series are recommended for beginners or for general playing styles. If you’ve been playing the saxophone or clarinet for a long time already, then maybe you’re looking for a specific quality of sound. This is why there are various different series of reeds available, where the reeds have a slightly different shape and produce a sharper or rounder sound depending on the series.
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