Clarinet reeds may be a small piece of wood, but there’s a reason why even professional players spend hours testing them out and discussing which is best!
In this article we’re going to dive into the topic of what to look for and round up our pick of the best clarinet reeds for you.
The clarinet reed is crucial to sound production. Indeed, without one, playing the clarinet would be impossible.
Given our passion for jazz, we’ve focused on things that players in this style often look for – along with endorsements from some important clarinet players.
However, a great reed is a great reed, and even non-jazz players should be aware of these top picks.
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Five of the Best Reeds for Jazz
Vandoren – V12
Founded in France in 1905, Vandoren has over a century of experience growing, making, selling, and innovating reeds. Vandoren has an impeccable reputation. Some of the biggest names in classical and jazz use their products.
They make some outstanding mouthpieces as well. A great innovation, and one well worth the higher price point, is that each reed in each box is individually wrapped.
Because they are organic products, reeds can go bad if not kept in a good environment. They can get mouldy if the weather is very wet, or musty if kept in a drawer.
Having individually wrapped reeds eliminates this problem and ensures that each reed is fresh and sanitized when you first open it.
It’s especially useful if you are a professional or band director who needs to keep a lot of reeds on hand.
Vandoren has a handful of reed “models,” all of which are of high quality, but the one that many jazz musicians seem to prefer is their V12 model.
Jazz clarinetist Felix Peikli and bass clarinetist and popular YouTuber Michael Lowenstern both endorse Vandoren V12 reeds.
Clarinet and saxophone legend Victor Goines also endorses Vandoren reeds.
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Gonzalez – GD
An Argentinian company, Gonzalez Reeds are designed for profound, high quality sound.
It started as a grower, wholesaler, and exporter of Arundo Donax. It began retail reed production in 1995 and rebranded as Gonzalez Reeds in 2000.
It has since grown an impressive roster of endorsing artists. The Italian jazz clarinetist Gabriele Mirabassi endorses Gonzalez GD reeds.
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Légère – European Cut
Légère is an entirely synthetic reed company.
Although they weren’t the first to try, they are certainly the first to make synthetic reeds at a high level.
The beauty of a synthetic reed is that you don’t have to worry about changes in temperature or humidity. Reed is an organic material and can expand and contract with changes in the environment.
Synthetic reed doesn’t have that problem. Not to mention they last longer. Légère is constantly innovating and adding new cuts and designs to its offerings.
At the time of writing, they currently have 3 different models of clarinet reeds, but many more sax and even double reed models.
New Orleans based jazz clarinetist Gregory Agid, and jazz clarinet legend Eddie Daniels both endorse Légère reeds.
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D’Addario – Reserve (formerly Rico Reserve)
D’Addario used to be known as a guitar string company, but has since expanded and bought out many previously independent reed companies.
Companies like Rico, Mitchell Lurie, & La Voz are now all under the D’Addario umbrella. They are all legitimate reed brands with good products.
Michael Maccaferri, member of Grammy winning new music ensemble “eighth blackbird,” endorses D’Addario Reserve.
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D’Addario – Venn
Venn is D’Addario’s answer to Légère. Now that Légère has proven it’s possible to make a high quality synthetic reed, other companies are trying to innovate as well.
Venn attempts to mimic cane by layering polymer fibers, resin, and organic cane elements.
The New Orleans jazz clarinet legend Doreen Ketchens endorses D’Addario Venn reeds.
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