Vandoren, D’Addario Woodwinds, and other manufacturers offer a wide variety of reeds that are essential for playing the clarinet. There are so many that you don’t know where to begin on finding which one to choose...
Here are some recommended clarinet reed options for you.
■ What is a reed?
A reed is one of the most important parts in producing the sound for a reed instrument. Without the reed, the instrument would not be able to produce sound because the reed is the main piece that vibrates in the mouthpiece to produce sound.
The reed is made from cane, one of the so-called reed species. Most canes used for making reeds are produced in southern France or Argentina. In addition to reeds made from natural materials, there are also reeds made of synthetic resins which are also popular.
■ Structure of the Reed

■ Differences in Cuts
There are mainly two types of reed cuts: ‘filed cut’ and ‘unfiled cut’. The biggest difference between the two is the width at which the reed vibrates.
Filed Cut (Double Cut, French Cut) |
Unfiled Cut (Single Cut, American Cut) |
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For wind ensembles and classical music Tone: Clear and bright Easy response especially in the low range Faster response. |
For jazz and pop music Tone: Dark and deep Chewy sound and a moderately strong resistance |
■ Difference in Strengths
Even within the same reed series, there are different reed strengths labeled such as ‘2 1/2’ and ‘3’. The strength of the reed can be chosen based on the mouthpiece and the player’s preference. A reed may be described as thick or thin, but the thickness is usually the same if the reeds are from the same series. The reed is labeled according to the strength of the reed fibers. Soft reeds are often chosen by beginners because the sound can be produced with less breath, but if the reed is too soft, the high notes will spread out. On the contrary, if the reed is too hard, extra force will be needed to be applied, and it will be harder to create different tones and fingerings. Some players choose a soft reed when they want a brighter tone because it has more resonance, and a hard reed when they want a sound with core.
■ Reeds Made of Newer Materials
There are reeds made of newer materials such as plastic or resin instead of natural cane. The major advantage of the resin is that it has a long life and it’s more hygienic since it can be washed with water. They can be used right away without moistening them beforehand. Through repeated research and development, reeds made of newer materials are now made to feel as close to the cane reed that you will barely feel the difference, making it a very popular alternative.

■ Top 5 Most Popular Recommended Reeds
If you don’t know which one to choose, here is a ranking of the most popular clarinet reeds. You won’t fail at purchasing a reed if you choose from this ranking!
*This ranking is based on the best-selling reeds at Sound House.
[No.1] D'Addario Woodwinds / Organic Reserve Bb Clarinet reeds Classic
⇒ D'Addario Woodwinds / Bb Clarinet Reed Organic Reserve Classic 3.0 3pcs
[No.2] Vandoren / B♭ clarinet reed, traditional
⇒ Vandoren / B♭ clarinet reed, traditional hardness:3 (1P)
[No.3] D'Addario Woodwinds / Bb Clarinet Reed Organic Reservation Evolution
[No.4] WOOD STONE / Bb Clarinet Reed hand select
[No.5] PLAYTECH / Bb Clarinet Reed 3.0
Sound House’s original brand PLAYTECH has its own reed which boasts excellent performance at an amazingly low price!
- Recommended for
- Beginner players in wind band, classical music, jazz, pop music
- Cut
- Filed cut
■ How to choose the right reed for you?
Everyone has a different criteria for choosing a reed. There are various conditions such as the compatibility with the mouthpiece and ligature, the player’s embouchure, and the size of the oral cavity. Also, there are other various reed brands, series, strengths, and materials. Since it’s part of a musical instrument, you won’t know until you try it out, and choosing the right one for you from a number of reeds may require a lot of effort. Sound House’s special page for clarinet reeds will help you find the right reed for you by narrowing down the music genre and cut! Come try it out!