What Is Reed Size? - Finding The Best Reed Strength For You

Welcome to the world of single reed instruments! Most commonly, a single reed instrument refers to a Clarinet or a Saxophone. If you're just starting out - or if you're an advanced player - you've come to the right place to begin your journey.
Saxophone Reeds:
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Clarinet Reeds:
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[@willemceuleers3789]

that was really only half of the story. Not untrue, but half. The other half depends on the actual mouthpiece one is playing on. The tip opening is paramount as to how strong a reed the mouthpiece can receive. Put in short, the more open the tip, the softer a reed it requires, because a strong reed simply isn't flexible enough to close the hole, will provoke an enormous resistance, produce a dull tone and will invite you to bite, which would be very wrong indeed. However, modern professional mouthpieces tend to be pretty closed and do require strong reeds; too soft a reed will simply not rebound quickly enough (crashes against the tip) and will produce the thin and flat sound we heard in this video. So it is not only a matter of choosing the right reed for you, but choosing the right reed and mouthpiece in relation to each other. Producing a nice round tone with a light and open setup, if well-balanced, is absolutely possible. Such setups will play quite a bit lighter, but are somewhat harder to control. In fact, older clarinets (pre WWII) actually benefit from light setups and produce wonderfully rich and colourful tone. I can tell, because I own quite a number of those, each having their own setups, in my case ranging from strenght 1 (1710 chalumeau) up to strenght 3 (modern Ridenour clarinet) with everything in between. Cheers, Willem (Belgium)

[@norezplaysgames]

I played clarinet through Jr High, Middle School, and High school, and by the time I graduated, I was wearing out Vandoren 5 reeds in a week or two. Also, when buying a box remember to always play test your reeds because not all the reeds in a box are going to play well.

[@_Crumpet]

I come back to this video all the time just to hear the intro. Man it sounds so good lol

[@ianjohnson4987]

I think this is the first clarinet video in which I could actually hear any difference between the things that are being compared. Very helpful. Thank you.

[@texasiguana]

Excellent and very helpful examples of what each reed size sounds like!

[@Boothemusic]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@Blackbird29k]

I notice that the 1.5 sounds clearly more flat, and the size 4 gives much better intonation as well, and has a much more clear and rich tone. Good demonstration!

[@Boothemusic]

Thanks for your comment, we agree! Amazing how different they are.

[@preshus8437]

This was so helpful. Thanks for sharing. I'm getting back into playing and got the wrong Reed to start off with. This reminded me the last time I played I was using a 2.5. Not a 3.5. No wonder is sounded and felt so different! ❤

[@-gordon3817]

You played beautifully! Thank you for this insightful review. I'm picking up the clarinet again as an adult after over 15 years of playing in my high school band! I'm super excited about playing again as I loved playing in high school. Now, I want to play during worship at church. From the U.S.A.

[@paulineb66]

Depends on the mouthpiece and personal preference too. Also the brand of reed makes a difference as well.

[@MrQhuin]

4 sounds very good 1.5 sounds like kazoo

[@beastmaster-bb7iu]

pov you find your music teacher in your youtube recommended

[@johnfrazier5548]

It has to do with cane density, learning how to balance the tip so the higher #’s vibrate correctly

[@natewatkins7033]

Mario 3d world instrumental was really good

[@MrQhuin]

In the band we never use the reed below 3.5

[@Boothemusic]

Takes a lot of practice!

[@pukalo]

I use a 3.5 56 rue lepic on a vandoren b45

[@digitalpilot]

i just realized i started at a 3 when i was a beginner

[@Boothemusic]

Lungs of steel!

[@hectorestrada6191]

Lmaooo

[@pgibbs]

All reeds of the same cut have the same thickness. Numbers indicate the flexibility of the reed.

[@eddielopes2131]

No seu caso eu percebi uma maior estabilidade no som com as 3 e 3,5

[@Daniel-dj7fh]

I've got a Nuvo Dood and have no idea what I'm doing.

[@Daniel-dj7fh]

so the higher the reed the better the sound, the harder to play?

[@olivierherment1188]

I play with a 4 reed for one mouthpiece and 2.5 with an other, if I don't do it it's not good.

[@Boothemusic]

Preference is what it’s all about! 🙌🏻

[@peythh4215]

My band teacher told us to use a 3,5+ in 6th grade and i still use them in high school

[@Boothemusic]

That’s insane for middle school! Good for you!

[@hughjayn1s]

That crazy using 3.5 in middle school ngl

[@-AM011]

3:40 4:04 - 2

[@kaybhee6]

skip to 3, 40... tests there

[@Andriuha420]

i use 1,5............

[@Boothemusic]

That’s amazing! Your airflow control must be crazy!

[@tabbywarrior]

Me using a 4.5: 👀

[@Boothemusic]

Lungs the size of the Pacific!

[@Space-Fonzo-7]

Thanks I got a saxophone a couple years ago and forgot about it then I picked it up again and got some 3.0 and I noticed it was much harder to play lol