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Are you tired of your local music store never having the clarinet reeds you want? Consider shopping for the best clarinet reeds on Amazon.
Then, you can save time, and you might find the perfect reeds for you. Soon enough, you can get the sound and response you want from your instrument.
Best Clarinet Reeds On Amazon
The best clarinets on Amazon can vary from player to player. But if you want to get the best reeds for you and don’t live near a music store with a good selection, shopping online is great.
You can head online and order reeds to your door within a couple of days. Then, you’ll have the reeds you need to start learning the clarinet or to replace your current reeds.
To find the best clarinet reeds, I looked for well-known brands. I also looked for reeds with different strengths available and that were at least somewhat affordable.
Consider the following options when shopping for the best clarinet reeds on Amazon.
Vandoren Traditional
Vandoren Traditional reeds are some of the best in the industry. These are the reeds I started on when I first played the Bb clarinet, and they work well.
You can get an excellent response from these reeds, and playing soft in the high register is relatively easy. Playing large intervals is also not too difficult.
All of the reeds come in individual seals, so you can preserve their freshness. If you only need to open one or two, the rest in the box can stay in good condition.
Pros
- Good for players of all levels
- Easy to play
- Comes in different strengths
- Affordable
- Individual seals
Cons
- Not all of the reeds will work
Vandoren V.12
Also from Vandoren, the Vandoren V.12 reeds are great for players who need a bit of resistance. The reeds come in strengths 2.5 to 5, so they fall on the harder side.
These reeds use the same cane as Vandoren’s alto saxophone reeds, so they’re a bit bigger than other clarinet reeds. That allows more of the reed to vibrate to help you get a rich tone.
And since the tip of the reed is thicker, it helps you attack notes well. That thickness also keeps the reed from wearing out as quickly, so you can get more life out of it.
Pros
- Great sound
- Easy to play
- Richer tone
- Lasts longer than some reeds
- Available in multiple strengths
Cons
- Not for beginners
Vandoren 56 Rue Lepic
If you want a rich tone, you may want to try some Vandoren 56 Rue Lepic reeds. These reeds use thicker cane, so they’re similar to German-style reeds.
You can choose from different strengths, and those strengths are very specific. That makes the reeds more consistent, so you don’t have to change your technique when you get a new reed.
The sound you can get is nice and pure, and it sounds warm. Like other Vandoren reeds, these come in individual seals to keep the reeds fresh until you need them.
Pros
- Good tone
- Consistent
- Individual seals
- Thicker cane
- Different strengths
Cons
- Somewhat expensive
Vandoren V21
Yet another excellent type of reed, Vandoren V21 reeds are great for clarinet players. If you can’t decide between the V.12 and 56 Rue Lepic reeds, these have the best features of both.
The reeds feature the same profile as the V.12 reeds, and the conical shape comes from the 56 Rue Lepic. You’ll be able to get a warm, deep tone, and the response is quick.
If you struggle to make big leaps smoothly, these reeds can help. And you only need to open the reeds one at a time without affecting the freshness of the other reeds in the box.
Pros
- Great features
- Easy to play
- Warm tone
- Smooth
- Fast response
Cons
- Not the best for beginners
Rico by D’Addario
Rico is another famous brand in the world of clarinet reeds on and off of Amazon. The Rico by D’Addario reeds are perfect for beginners and advancing clarinetists.
You get a set of thin reeds that are easy for beginners to use to get a sound. D’Addario’s technology makes these reeds nice and consistent, which is great for everyone.
The reeds come in different strengths, so you can choose the right hardness for you. And these reeds don’t cost as much as some, making them great for students on a budget.
Pros
- Suitable for all levels
- Easy to play
- Different strengths
- Affordable
- Consistent
Cons
- A bit basic for advanced players
Royal by D’Addario
If you like some parts of the Rico reeds but want something slightly different, try Royal by D’Addario reeds. They have the same traditional cut, but the reed’s spine is stronger.
You can choose from a variety of strengths, from a soft 1.0 to a hard 5.0. The reeds are suitable for playing both classical and jazz music, so you don’t need to have separate reeds for those styles.
Getting a clear sound is easy, and the reeds are very consistent. That makes them perfect for students who need something reliable as they work on their tone.
Pros
- Good design
- Easy to play
- Multiple strengths
- Versatile
- Affordable
Cons
- Not the best for professionals
D’Addario Reserve Classic
The D’Addario Reserve Classic reeds feature a thick blank to help you get a warm and rich sound. These reeds use consistent cutting techniques to make them consistent for the player.
You can choose from strengths ranging from 2.0 to 4.5. That way, you can get the right amount of resistance to get the sound you want out of your clarinet.
These reeds come in a pack of 10, so you have plenty to last you for a while. And they’re not too expensive for the number of reeds you get.
Pros
- Good tone
- Easy to play
- Various strengths
- Not too expensive
- Last for a while
Cons
- Not all of the reeds will work well
D’Addario La Voz
The D’Addario La Voz reeds are perfect for clarinetists looking to play jazz. While they come in different strengths, they don’t use soft through hard labels instead of a number system.
These reeds feature a strong spine that offers a good amount of resistance. You can use these reeds when playing jazz as well as other styles of music.
And since the reed is unfiled, it can help you get a powerful sound. The premium cane that these reeds come from allows the reeds to perform fairly consistently.
Pros
- Good sound
- Consistent
- Easy to play
- Versatile
- Affordable
Cons
- Not as many strengths available
D’Addario Mitchell Lurie Premium
Another excellent option for jazz music is the line of D’Addario Mitchell Lurie Premium reeds. These reeds are filed, so they have a thin tip that helps you get a nice response.
D’Addario uses lasers to make sure the reeds all have the same dimensions to help with consistency. Plus, they come in strengths ranging from 1.5 to 5.0.
While the price looks great, you only get five reeds as opposed to ten like in other boxes. But the reeds are still a great deal, especially for serious players.
Pros
- Various strengths
- Great for jazz
- Easy response
- Consistent
- Decent value
Cons
- Not as many reeds in the box
Legere Reeds
Most of the best clarinet reeds on Amazon use cane. But the Legere reeds are synthetic, so they don’t require as much care or maintenance to play well.
You don’t have to worry about conditioning the reeds as you put your clarinet together. But the synthetic material plays very similarly to cane.
The reed is very stable throughout the entire clarinet range, and it’s free blowing. Also, the synthetic material lasts a bit longer than cane, so you don’t have to swap out reeds as often.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- No need to wet the reed
- Easy to play
- Stable
- Durable
Cons
- Expensive
How To Choose The Best Clarinet Reeds
As you can see, there are a lot of clarinet reeds on Amazon. It can be hard to choose which brand and style is the right option for you.
Fortunately, you can look for a few factors to help narrow your choices. Then, you’ll be able to try a couple of reeds from different brands or styles to choose what you like the best.
Here are a few things to look for when shopping for reeds.
Instrument
The first thing you need to determine is the type of clarinet you have. If you’re a beginner, odds are you’re playing a Bb clarinet.
But you may later choose to add a bass clarinet or an Eb clarinet to your collection. These clarinets all require their own reeds to fit their respective mouthpieces.
The only time you can use the same reeds on two different clarinet sizes is with the Bb and A clarinets. They’re only a half step apart and often use the same mouthpiece.
Strength
Another thing to think about is how strong of a clarinet reed you want. Some players prefer a softer reed, especially when first learning the clarinet, because it responds easier.
However, as you improve, you may want more resistance, so you can switch to a harder reed. The right strength for you may differ from that of other players, so try a few strengths if you can.
Plus, the right strength can also depend on the mouthpiece and clarinet you use. Don’t be afraid to experiment a bit to find the right combination for your needs.
Style
You should also consider the style of music you’re playing and the setting where you’re playing. For example, some reeds are better for use in jazz, while others sound better when playing classical music.
It’s also important to determine if you will be playing solo or as part of an ensemble. A soloist may prefer a reed that projects well, while an ensemble member might need a reed that helps them blend their sound with other instruments.
Fortunately, you can collect reeds to use in different scenarios. That way, you’ll be able to get the right sound for the music you’re performing.
Quality
Even the best clarinet reeds on Amazon aren’t perfect. But you should look for reeds that have a good rate of consistent reeds so that you can get the most out of each box of reeds you buy.
If all of the reeds need a bit of work, you’ll need tools to adjust them. Beginners may not have those tools, so they would have to toss the reeds that don’t work well.
While you can’t predict how many reeds from a box will be good, stick to well-known reed brands. Then, you can increase the chances of getting more decent reeds.
Cost
Along with the quality, you should consider how much the clarinet reeds cost. For example, the Legere reed costs $30, but it can last just as long as a whole box of cane reeds.
You also have the Mitchell Lurie Premium reeds, where a box only contains five. When you compare that to a box of 10 reeds, the price is very similar even though it looks significantly cheaper.
Be sure to consider your budget to make room for the right reeds. As a beginner, you won’t need new reeds often, but you will need to spend more on reeds as you play more.
FAQs About The Best Clarinet Reeds On Amazon
Answer: Amazon carries some well-known, good-quality clarinet reeds. However, you can also find reeds from brands that don’t have the same great reputation.
Be sure to stick to brands like D’Addario, Vandoren, and Legere. You may get a box of duds, but you’ll have a good chance of getting at least a few good reeds.
Answer: I’d suggest Vandoren Traditional or Rico reeds for beginning clarinet players. Both reeds are easy to play, and they come in softer strengths to help you get a sound with less work.
Those reeds are also of great quality, so you don’t have to worry about not being able to use them for long. Sure, some of the reeds may break or have issues, but you can switch to another reed from the same box.
Answer: Clarinet reeds are expensive because of the materials and time that people need to make the reeds. Companies need to source the right type of cane, and they need to eliminate cane that has issues.
Then, they need to strip the good cane down to make a reed. All of that takes time and labor, and gathering the materials also increases the cost.
Answer: As you advance, you may decide to branch out and play an Eb clarinet or a bass clarinet. Unfortunately, you’ll need to buy separate reeds for those instruments because of their size.
But you can get reeds from the same brands as reeds for your Bb clarinet. That way, you’ll be able to get a good sound on all of the clarinets you play.
Answer: Beginners and casual players can make clarinet reeds last as long as six months. If you don’t play for very long each day, the reeds won’t wear out as quickly.
On the other hand, advanced players and professionals may need new reeds once or twice a month. The more you play on a reed, the quicker it will stop performing well.
Answer: You can’t play a clarinet without a reed. Fortunately, you can choose from a vast selection of reeds, so there’s at least one that will meet your needs.
Whether you want something resistant or with an easy response, there’s a reed for you. And if you don’t like the reed, you can find another one to use.
Answer: You can keep your reeds in the plastic slips that the reeds come in so that they stay safe. However, you can also buy a reed case to keep multiple reeds together.
Some cases even have humidity controls to keep your reeds in the best possible condition. Then, you’ll be able to get as much life out of each reed as possible.
Final Note On The Best Clarinet Reeds On Amazon
Whether you’re a beginner or a professional, you should know about the best clarinet reeds on Amazon. While you may or may not buy a clarinet on there, reeds are fair game.
You can find plenty of options, so you don’t need to go to a local music store. Be sure to try a few different brands or styles to find the best reed for you.
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