My Reeds Suck, Part 2 - Reed Brands Fight to the Death

Rico, Rico Grand Concert, LaVoz, Marca, Vandoren, Vandoren V12, Legére, Fibracell...and one surprise. Okay, maybe two surprises.
Which reeds are good for students? Which take more breaking in? What's the deal with synthetic reeds?
I try them all, so you don't have to. (But you should want to anyway, since your mouthpiece is different from mine!)

[@sirjan-keeperofthevigil]

Flavor Reed "Taste the Music" It tastes horrible

[@dukesilver5412]

Sir Jan - Keeper of the Vigil

[@chrisdhespollari4815]

XD

[@mathewzahedi248]

I sound like a ad gone wrong

[@cassiec9222]

And they stain and kinda ruin the instrument lol

[@liebestraumboi3366]

They taste just like the music you make

[@sweendoggyj]

I love the fact that on Flavorreeds' website they misspelled Vandoren.

[@DrSaxLove]

I am really enjoying the passion and attention to detail you have for reeds. It's quite amazing to me, actually. As a tenor player with little patience for reeds, I slap a Fibracell on and go for it. I always feel like I'm missing something, though; I'm finding your reed videos quite interesting and educational. Thanks so much!

[@Jerry-hp5sf]

As a broadway pit performer I can tell you synthetic reeds will save your life. You are constantly changing instruments and you don't have time to fuss with a wood reed. A lot of the time you'll play a reed instrument then not touch it again for 15 minutes. Plenty of time for a wood reed to dry out. You then have to pick up that instrument quickly and perform flawlessly right away. Wood reeds don't allow for that.

[@earspasm]

Jerry Granata you are absolutely spot-on right. That's why legere reeds are great for that sort of situation. I'd use them in that environment too

[@Jerry-hp5sf]

Earspasm Music I use Legere in the pits and love them. Fibracell will work better for certain instruments such as Bass Saxophone.

[@benjaminkleyner5381]

Jerry Granata is

[@chloejackson-reynolds418]

Isn't that what the cap is for?

[@samuelhingley7066]

@@chloejackson-reynolds418 no, the cap is supposed to stop damage

[@shanefm02]

I prefer a plastic/synthetic reed for marching band, where the conditions can get quite bad, but besides from that always use Vandorens.

[@dubzmusic4255]

shanefm02 Vandoren Paris ftw

[@fatlessauto3]

Agreed

[@kroganpopy9206]

My band teacher told my class a horror story about a teacher band he knew who told they're students to soak their reeds in Coca Cola so it would taste better. Brings shivers down my spine every time I think of it.

[@birdy4999]

Can you do the same thing but for Bb clarinet please ?

[@savannamotsinger9382]

there is a reed made out of plexiglass... You should check it out. My band teacher has one and her clarinet sounds AMAZING! I play bass tho so idk

[@savannamotsinger9382]

wondering if you could test it out?

[@susanzeller3519]

This is a great review, I love your humor involved in such a serious subject. Great playing too!!

[@stormiethedark6355]

It seems that whenever I have reed issues this pops up in my recommendations.

[@ezra5491]

They See **EVERYTHING**

[@789boyz789]

This video was really helpful. I am a Bass Clarinet player, and havent played in a few years. This helped me get an idea of a reed that I can get to get back into playing, and that I could afford.

[@xochitl10tapia]

same love hate relationship with vandoren, I just want to give up on them sometimes! and flavored reeds are a total joke, but anyways, thank you for always taking your time to make videos for us bass clarinet players

[@distinguishingremark]

xochitl bass clarinet gang rise up

[@Plague_Architect]

I ended up here while looking for sax stuff, but I really enjoyed it! xD I LOVE it

[@anthonyblankenship3082]

I see those vandoren reeds and I wish that vandoren would make 56 reeds for the bass clarinet

[@earspasm]

Me too.

[@lesliefranklin1870]

Oboe and bassoon players make their own reeds. Perhaps as an experiment, you can try making your own?

[@RobinsBusyWorld]

They now have V21 reeds which are a combination of V12 and 56. If you haven't already...give them a try. I'm planning on trying them out.

[@mambojazz1]

@@lesliefranklin1870 Hi. The reason your comment doesn't have any likes or replies is because, believe it or not, many oboe and bassoon players actually also purchase their reeds. The only reason why many double reed players make their own reeds is because double reeds are more complicated to make so they are lower in supply and more expensive.

[@lesliefranklin1870]

@@mambojazz1 Ha! You replied to my comment. Na na na na nah. Have a great day!

[@torontoclarinetist]

I really enjoyed this video. Thanks!

[@Themurphyshow7]

Excellent video!

[@siddarvind6410]

you are the main reason I have a bass clarinet

[@briannabrown4053]

His glasses are everything😂

[@bmprice41]

Your videos are brilliant!!! Thank you!!!

[@wilkey02i4]

I'm a Alto Sax player, and used to play some Vandoren cane reeds. Due to playing in church, and having quite a bit of time between when we play, I switched to a Legere reed with my S80-C*. At first I didn't notice a difference. It could have been because I had only been playing sax for a few months before playing at church. Recently I decided to try the Vandoren's that have been sitting in a drawer. I'm with you, I love the sound so much better out of the cane reeds than the synthetic. However, I will continue to play the synthetic reed at church because I don't have to babysit it and keep it wet.

[@venskus2009]

literally every time i watch this video, i geek out at the woody part. it's the small things in life that matter.

[@tracezacur6784]

awesome vid!! great insight

[@kennethshaw9686]

Great Review! I play Soprano and Bass Clarinet and I love the Vandoren V12's too. I like the B45 mouthpiece the best, but I also have the Masters 5 and M13 lyre. Synthetic reeds are too uncontrollable for me too.

[@aaronfaysal7526]

I actually started tenor sax using my bass clarinet reeds xD right now I'm using fibracell on my tenor sax and a selmer s80 c* mouthpiece, I noticed for me personally, that the responsive, tone, loudness, all just as good as my Vandoren reeds.

[@poutine1776]

The best synthetic reed option for now on the Bass is the Légère Signature Tenor Sax reed. They will never be as good as a good cane reed, but with the right setup, a synthetic reed can save you a whole lot of hassle, especially if you are outside or have to leave the horn sitting for an hour and pick it up cold.

[@rg2ndchannel827]

I was cracking up so hard at some of your reactions and comments

[@karajohnson3929]

I really think you should try a Legere signature series. I play those on my Bb clarinet and they are wonderful. I haven't heard very good things about their cheaper models, but I haven't had any trouble out of any signature. I bought one and played it for months and got tired of it, I gave it to someone else and they've been using it for a few months, it still plays wonderfully! Also Gonzales reeds work wonders for me. I use the For Our Friends and a lot of professionals really like them. If you had bad results maybe you should try them again. But I've also never been very impressed with Vandoren reeds, even with a Vandoren mouthpiece and Optimum ligature. I don't like having to do so much work on reeds to get a decent result out of them. I guess that's why I like Legere- no work on them. If I do have to work on a Gonzales, it is very minimal. Out of a box of 10 I could play all 10 right out of the box.

[@Doostun]

I've tried a signature series baritone saxophone reed, they performed brilliantly and had great tone. However, I picked up a studio cut legere reed (probably an older reed), and it had a thin sound; not to mention the insane resistance which is just something to be aware of. So I think the signature cut series is worth the extra few dollars, in general it has a more warm and full sound.

[@Umbra_Dux]

With my instrument(A selmer Bass Clarinet) I use 3 1/2 Vandoren or Rico reeds. With the Rico's I get a consistent quality in reeds and play-ability, but they don't perform as nicely as my Vandoren reeds, which produce such a beautiful rich sound when I get a nice reed.

[@gypsyvail]

I actually love the La Voz reeds for my alto clarinet, but not for the bass - like you said, combination of all the parts makes a huge difference. I haven't found the V12s all that inconsistent, but I may have just gotten a good box. Then again, I'm not playing enough to wear my reeds out for a *long* time. That's how you save a good reed - play less :D

[@theswaff699]

I started on a vadorin 2 1/2 tenor reed on my Selmer bass clarinet.

[@migueltorres2799]

I LOVE the vandoren v•12’s

[@ethancampbell9096]

I hate the vandoran v12 reeds. I have always used the vandoran blue/purple box and my band director told me I should use those but every single reed was an evil reed that sounded airy and could not play anything quieter than a forte dynamic. I tried doing some minor work on all of them, nothing too complicated as I am not a reed expert and just 1 of the 5 was somewhat playable at practice but I would never dare take it to anything other than a practice every once in a while

[@r100curtaincall]

I greatly prefer that the v12s over the regular ones. But they do tend to be a little more stubborn out of the box and take some time to break in. They are also a little harder to play on, So they’re definitely not for everyone.

[@chasten7540]

The V12s have worked great in my experience, only reeds I use currently. Sounds great, gives me a good range, and is perfectly audible

[@ethancampbell9096]

@@chasten7540 I might have gotten a strength too high or a bad box, bit every reed felt really bad, fuzzy and I just couldnt even start to get the sound I wanted out of any of them

[@WillieWagglestick]

Interesting video thanks. I recently tried a Fibracell on my Bb clarinet and was disappointed with the thin sound compared to my usual blue box Vandoren reeds that i've been using for the past 25 years or so. I did however like the fact that i could play a very top F pianissimo and with no effort at all!

[@stivenvukcaj8851]

hi! have you try the Gonzalez reed? if yes whats your opinion?

[@Brave_Aviator]

You’re reaction was soo funny for some of them too btw

[@bellalamson3053]

I play alto sax but I am still watching this because it is really interesting on how ths bass clarinet sounds and looks

[@ARedVelvetBunnie]

Love your reaction after tasting the bubble gum flavour XD

[@RheaAC5]

Could you please make a video about the placement of the reed on the mouthpiece, and the placement of the ligature on it as well? I am never sure exactly how high or low to place them.

[@louisdoherty1480]

I use tenor reeds on my bass clarinet and bass clarinet reeds on my tenor lol. I play orchestral saxophone and I use the bass clarinet grand concert series 4.5s on my tenor. Then I use vandoren V16 on my bass clarinet. Red javas also do well on my bcl setup.

[@CarlyWaarly]

thank you for sharing! : )

[@MoGreazy]

LaVoz reeds are Rico reeds... same product. Always was. A guy did his thesis on Rico history... went to the factory, met all the owners. It is documented.

[@Ab-po4wt]

I'm a student and have been using Fibracell reeds for the past 3 1/2 years or so, but I do find they are horrible when I first get new ones and it generally takes at least a week or so to sound decent, but they work well after some love, although they don't seem ideal for high notes. It's really interesting to see how different reeds can be based on the instrument and the person and other factors as well.

[@TheFunkyKingston]

I enjoyed much the upper register with Marca reeds...

[@ChillGamerBlue]

I remember using Rico and later Rico Royal reeds as a child... they tasted like paper and were ok for elementary school band.

[@musicquestinc]

Great Review! Have you tried Vandoren tenor sax red box Java? They are the only ones I use besides blue box when I need more pronounced articulation, and they work great for doubling bass clarinet in a big band!

[@vincentmariani1017]

I usually play Bass Clarinet in concert band, but for the marching band, I needed to play soprano. At the request of my director, I tried a V12 and loved it. I just ordered a box of V21's though.

[@fernie51296]

I switched from V12 to V21. They work better on more open mouthpieces and the V12 works better on more close mouthpieces.

[@functiondragon3213]

Personally, I use Vandoran. I'm only a second year player - But I prefer them. I soak them in water for 2 minutes, play them, and spray them with cleaner. I get a great sound from them, for the most part. I have to break them in a little bit before I can get to the highest few notes, though. (Mind you, I only play clarinet, not bass)

[@dubzmusic4255]

I use Vandoren Paris reeds for my Bb clarinet

[@audunjemtland8287]

You're an amazing and funny teacher. It's easier to learn when it's funny. I thought higher reeds numbers meant thicker and stiffer. No wonder a Vandoren 2 1/2 is hard to play for me (beginner) Which Vandoren number and series is the easiest to breath through? (Longevity 30mins-1hrs)

[@DumbandDumbersss]

I played la voz reeds on my bari sax last year for jr high on a yamaha 5c mouthpiece andnit played alright

[@armintabibi6967]

Hey I am wondering what do you do for the song you did when you played on each reed and can the song be played on a regular clarinet

[@torew01]

Have you tried Rigotti reeds? I am very happy with them for Bb-clarinet, very consistent and durable. I have just ordered some strenghts for the bass, will be interesting to try them. BD5 mouthpiece.

[@IsaacOtto]

I'd be interested in seeing you do a comparison of the standard Legere and the Legere signature. All sources seem to say that the "signature" ones are worlds better.

[@earspasm]

Send me one. If be happy to try it. :)

[@JimBenson]

Tell me where you get a legere signature. I'm dieing to buy one. Hoping to pick one up at clarinet fest 2014 from someone.

[@jalava78]

Jim Benson I've been using 2 3/4 strenght Legere Signature Tenor Sax reeds for a while and now testing Forestone Black Bamboo Mediums which feel pretty similar in strenght but Black Bamboos definately have much better projection and feel very close to a regular reed.

[@JimBenson]

Bass clarinet legere signature reeds are available on amazon now up to 3 strength. Earspasm Music

[@quantumchris1]

Peter Leuthner Reeds are freaking amazing they always sound good i play on french cut and they never sound bad nor have i ever played on one that sounded bad every single one sounds good

[@doofsdoofs]

As a tenor sax and bari sax player, the Fibracells actually worked far better on a wider variety of mouthpieces and I was able to play top to bottom quite well. Tasted weirdly sour though, but it went away.

[@owencoyne6223]

You forgot the Rico royal, the best of the standard Rico reeds

[@alexcarter8807]

I'm a beginner and I use these too. Light blue box.

[@chrisconlon7970]

rico royal are good reeds.

[@tomslavinsky1105]

Any thoughts on the Carbon Fiber Reeds or Hemp Fiber Reeds made by Harry Hartmann? I would be curious to hear you play on them alternating with your V12's Any chance of that happening. Thanks

[@samuelsmith7866]

I use Vandoren 4.5 and I find they get very breathy after my normal rehearsal time (hour and a half) and they get fuzzy around F4-B4, especially around 30 minutes of playing, and feel uncomfortably soft on the tip, which I don't really like a lot. My BD says I should sand them down using 300 grain sandpaper, which I don't particularly like but other than that their sound is good. I've been wanting to switch to Légère at least for some of my reeds, but I feel like there's a sort of stigma around playing plastic reeds outside of marching band? I had one friend who got critiqued on the fact she played on Légère soley because it was plastic (she was a wonderful performer). Any tips?

[@oleflogger6828]

Michael, try one of the Fiberreeds. I use them on my tenor sax. And, I find I can use those same reeds on my new BC. I prefer the original (white) in Medium-Soft or Medium hardness. I get no buzz from them on my tenor sax as opposed to any other synthetic reed I've tried. ON my BC, I find them easier to play than Legere. So, what thinkest thou?

[@antoniopinter4197]

I use normal Rico orange reeds ob my tenor saxophone. Do I understand correctly that I should change them every 20 minutes??? Sometimes I play them for two weeks, practicing couple of hours per day :)

[@pranavbatra3161]

Could you do a video on tongueing legato and having a lighter tongue, because when I played soprano several years ago, I could could tongue very lightly, but I feel that I tongue very heavy with bass clarinet and it is starting to affect my speed control.

[@sragland314]

Would you suggest Legére reeds for marching band and do they squeak as much as cane reeds?

[@ramennyun2137]

I laughed a little too hard when the Flavoreeds came were brought out.

[@ameiliafavata1446]

Ok, so I play the Baritone sax but I have a question. If I use a synthetic reed will I have a chance of squeaking.

[@Doostun]

I have tried a legere signature cut baritone saxophone reed, and I didn't have trouble playing it really at all, it was very similar to cane. However, my friend said it didn't have the same exact bite, but I still had a decent kick out of it. Point is, it didn't squeak for me. Not sure about altissimo squeaking however, I'm an alto player and i found it difficult for me to get them out on both cane and synthetic.

[@Elizabeth-ut1kv]

Ameilia Favata You always have a chance of skweaking

[@alexcarter8807]

Anyone can squeak, it's equal opportunity.

[@chrisconlon7970]

If you squeak try pulling the mouthpiece out of your mouth just a fraction, push it in a fraction for deeper notes

[@annettehumphrey8679]

I use vandoren reeds for my bass clarinet

[@12nerdynerd12]

PS ! I did shave my reed a little bit with sand paper like 3/4 swipes I normally just play on a 3 maybe I shaved it too much and. I close is it off when I play

[@klarinetta]

hmmm are the numberings different for Vandoren bass clarinet reeds vs their soprano reeds ecause I've alway had to use 1/2 strength harder V12 reeds vs Traditional not vice versa

[@Merf1195]

Hi Michael, have you tried the Vandoren V21 Sky Blue Box reeds?

[@bianca-og2ts]

honestly it's really sad but I can barely ever get reeds because I don't have the money and I have like 1 that works right now and ILMEA is coming up and I AM SO STRESSED OUT but for an actual question, I don't know if you've mentioned this before, but do you prefer a wooden bass clarinet or that weird synthetic material they're using? The one I use is the school's instrument and is wooden; I haven't had experience with one that isn't, but I know some people like them and some people don't.

[@jgarza00]

Wouldn’t it be more beneficial to describe how to work on the reeds to get the playability you desire? You mentioned a Marca felt different in various dynamics, but then said Vandoren were workable. Compare the hearts and weights of each side of the reeds and make some comparisons of how to work them to playable? Show us the before, the process, and result of working the reeds to your standards.

[@hjflippen8164]

Please compare all the Vandoreen reeds. Specifically review the Black Diamonds.

[@elsieparker6983]

What strenght Legere bass clarinet reed did you play in thie KZbin? Wheich Cut? Do you ever play tenor sax reeds on the bass clarinet? Thanks E

[@tabbywarrior]

Is there a part 3?

[@CarlyWaarly]

hi there, have you tried the legere signature, these come highly recommended recently and we are tempted to purchase, thanks

[@daphne9604]

I've been thinking about getting a plastic Reed but if they're don't play loud very well there is no way I can march with it you already can't hear me XD bass clarinet struggles

[@FlamingSpaz29]

I'm confused about the difference between traditional vandoren and v12. The reed charts that I see sometimes has v12s softer than traditional, but you say otherwise. I could be reading the chart wrong but I usually have been going for a higher strength when I order v12 vs. traditional.

[@gammaflurry4238]

i kind o like the idea of playing with the synthetic reeds -- just dont dig the fuss (especially since i am brand new, and rather aged). anyway, the bass clarinet sounds good and reminds me of the whimsical feeling evoked by pieces in the nutcracker suite.

[@livezinthemoment]

So I'm a high school bass clarinet player and the only one in my whole band. That being said, I don't have much information about the best option for a mouthpiece. I was wondering if you've ever used a Vandoren B44. I'm attempting to decide between the B44 and B50. Thanks for your help

[@earspasm]

livezinthemoment Try both -- you can always send one back, provided it isn't scratched or damaged in any way (including scratched by your teeth. so use a piece of tape or a mouthpiece patch during your trial)

[@megazi0ngaming222]

You should try the d'addario reserve reeds.

[@Kpoplover_forever303]

I use vandoren reeds size 3 for marching band

[@aidenbrandenburg387]

lol i started on vandauren blue boxes for clarinet and bass clarinet but i went to rico for a while and then went back

[@natedued]

Vandoren blue/purple box is always is always something to compare to, gotta be the home plate

[@patrickpanko6601]

what are good reeds to start out on?

[@carlcarlton328]

I use with reeds and after they go bad I switch to my synthetic Reed and it plays good

[@daphne9604]

I play on vandoren but cause I march I go through one every 2 weeks or even less I don't like them on Bb clarinet but they're good for my bass clarinet

[@aylingonzalez3025]

what scale did you play at the beginning of the video

[@yangel5652]

I think that is the 3 vandorine I use.

[@LarryShone]

Interesting, tho to me, as an undisciplined beginner they pretty much sound the same (except for the weird ones at the end-flavoured reeds, really?). But having said that you play a bass, mine is a budget soprano. Oh one thing from watching your videos. You make me want a bass!

[@kevindeibert3369]

You sound great on any reed (well, except for the Fibercell). Did Mitchell Lurie ever make a bass clarinet reed ? I don't remember. Roy J Mier ? Carl Fischer? Symetricut ? Glotin ? Selmer Omega?

[@fatcontroller12]

The only brand of reed I can get for an Eb Contra-alto Clarinet is Rico (hardness 3) and to be honest when I play big gaps it squeaks really bad.

[@cjpunzalan2761]

Hi! I am a high school student who plays bass and I was wondering what kind of warm up music you play, such as the music you used to demonstrate these reeds. If you improvised it, that's fine but any reccomendations would be great! Also amazing videos! Thank you

[@earspasm]

+CJ Punzalan Hey there. Check out my warm-up videos from this past september. Even though they're on clarinet, I do the same ones on bass.

[@klarinetta]

Vandoren is simply the best. I've tried over 20 different brand/types of reeds and some of them are very expensive handmade ones and others are handfinished with sandpaper and I always always go back to V12. I also got the same result with Marca reeds. Very inconsistent and they just feel very wired and I did try their whole range for Bb clarinet.

[@drinkablesausage3420]

it depends in the mouthpiece, again. but Vandoren reeds are truly Marvelous :D

[@klarinetta]

+Jordan Miller Maybe but I've got them to work on many different mouthpieces by different makers,Vandoren,Grabner,Morgan,Bay,Lomax,Eaton(UK),Pillinger(UK)just to name some of the mouthpieces I own or have tried.

[@tofu.delivery.]

Did you make that video on how to break in the reeds? You mentioned it in the title of both of the videos but I don't remember you saying exactly how to work on them.

[@michealbell9816]

+Euan Zhang put them in water for a minute or 2. Then play them for 5-10 minutes. do that every day or couple of days. Do it for a bit untill they are broke in

[@turtles10]

I play soprano, alto, and contrabass clarinet I find that van Doren reeds work best

[@averyl8463]

Hey Earspasm, where can I find the reed hardness chart?

[@JaxemsR]

When you say "work on" your reeds, what is your process?

[@jimis3167]

Can you make same video for Bb clarinet?

[@chewhua]

Have you heard of the new Vandoren V21s?

[@nutmegger1957]

When you "put a reed away" after "twenty minutes or so," ..........can you EVER re-use that Reed? In other words, once the Reed fails to respond the way you need it to, is it shot for life and should be thrown out, (or used to clean your teeth) or can it be used later on?

[@kevindeibert3369]

what kind of neck is that? I like Rico (now Daddario) Reserves. They work on Tenor Sax too