Clarinet reeds and their associated frustrations is a hot conversation topic for clarinettists worldwide - and one that they can get very exercised about. But why all the fuss? Here is our ultimate guide to the clarinet reed: what it does, why it's so important and even how you might begin to go about making one.
What does a clarinet reed do?
A clarinet reed is a thin strip of material that vibrates when a musician blows air between it and the mouthpiece, producing a certain tone.
What is a clarinet reed made of?
The clarinet reed is made of Arundo donax, a kind of cane - quite similar in appearance to bamboo - with fibrous, woody stalks. It is typically found in the Mediterranean, as well as parts of America.
How is a clarinet reed different from that of other woodwind instruments?
Whereas the oboe and bassoon use a double reed comprising two pieces of wood that vibrate against each other, the clarinet uses only one reed, which vibrates against the mouthpiece.
Do clarinettists typically make their own reeds?
Unlike oboists, who, for best results, do make their own reeds, clarinettists tend to buy them pre-manufactured. But even though commercial reeds are all cut by machines in exactly the same way with extreme precision, from a full box of reeds, only a few will be usable, and from those only two or three will produce a passable sound. That’s because no two pieces of cane are exactly alike, and will respond differently even when formed into exactly the same shape.
So many of the more advanced clarinettists do add finishing touches to their reeds, modifying them with sandpaper or a knife to achieve the desired response and sound.
How are clarinet reeds made?
After the cane is cut it is placed in direct sunlight for about a month to dry. Once dry, the cane is taken to a factory's cutting department, where it is cut into tubes graded by diameter and wall density. The tubes are cut into splits and made into reed blanks, which are then tapered and profiled into reeds using automated blades.
As for the process of hand-making a clarinet reed: that’s where things get rather nebulous, given that specific approaches vary between individuals. Some clarinettists swear by curing (soaking and drying) the cane before turning them into reeds; others don’t bother. Generally, though, all approaches involve cutting the cane into pieces or ‘blanks’, sanding them down, and sculpting them into shape (see how we managed to gloss over the details?). Here’s one of the less esoteric how-to videos we could find.
Do they come in different strengths?
Yes! They do, using a number system, which ranges from 1 to 5. The higher the number, the harder the reed and the goal of any clarinettist is to play the hardest reed they can handle, as the sound improves with each increment. That said, a clarinet player should never use a reed that’s too hard for them, as this will make it more difficult for the player to produce sound.
How do I maintain reeds?
Clarinet reeds are sensitive to their environment so need to be stored in a case that protects them from moisture and extreme temperatures. New reeds need to be broken in over time so should not be played for more than ten minutes at a time. Reeds also require regular switching out, so it’s sensible to avoid playing the same clarinet reed more than two days in a row.
Anything else I should know about reeds?
Reeds come in two different cuts: a regular cut or a French file cut, the latter typically giving a faster response time. If your clarinet has a darker-sounding mouthpiece, it’s generally better-suited to French file cuts while regular-cut reeds are more appropriate for brighter-sounding mouthpieces.
What can I get for different price points?
While you can get a set of reeds for just a couple of pounds, they are likely to be fairly inconsistent in quality. As a rule of thumb, the more expensive product lines - think £30-£40 a box - use higher-quality cane and higher-quality tools capable of holding finer adjustments and making more consistent cuts across the reed-blanks that are fed into them. Which results in reeds of more consistent quality.
What are the best-known brands?
Vandoren
Some of the most widely-played and reliable in the professional world, the Vandoren reeds suit a wide range of playing styles, and are fairly cost effective too, with a box of ten Vandoren Traditionals setting you back around £20.
D'Addario
These strong, well-balanced reeds produce a lively, warm tone and are known to be fairly consistent in quality. A ten-pack of D’Addario Reserve will cost about £25.
Legere
At about £25 a box, Legere reeds tend to be fairly durable, producing a smooth, round sound.
