Bb Clarinet Reeds

Bb clarinet reeds are made for the Bb clarinet, which is played in music schools, wind bands, orchestras and jazz. You can use the same reeds on an A clarinet, as both have the same size mouthpiece. On this page, you'll find cane reeds from Vandoren, Rico, D'Addario and Latone, as well as synthetic reeds from Légère and Fiberreed in strengths from 1 to 5. Eb clarinet and bass clarinet reeds are a different size, so look for them in the clarinet reeds category.

Which strength should you choose for Bb clarinet reeds?

The number on a reed indicates its strength, or hardness. A softer reed with a lower number responds more easily and is easier to blow, which is why beginners usually start with it. A harder reed with a higher number offers more resistance, so it is chosen by more experienced players who want greater control over tone and dynamics.

The same number doesn't mean the same hardness across every brand – Vandoren Classic Blue 2.5 and Rico 2.5 aren't equivalent. When switching to a different brand or series, check the manufacturer's reed strength comparison chart. Fiberreed uses the letters S, M, MH and H to indicate strength.

Cane or synthetic reeds?

• Cane reeds – made from natural cane, with each reed sounding slightly different. That's why they're also sold in packs of 3, 5 or 10, allowing players to pick the ones that suit them. These include Vandoren, Rico, Rico Royal, D'Addario Reserve and Latone.
• Rico Plasticover – a cane reed with a plastic coating that resists moisture and changes in the weather. It's suitable for outdoor playing, for example in a marching band, and for players who switch instruments quickly.
• Synthetic reeds – Légère made from polypropylene, Fiberreed from carbon fibres and D'Addario VENN from polymer fibres with resin and natural cane elements. You don't need to soak them before playing, and they last much longer than cane reeds.

How do the Vandoren series differ?

• Classic Blue – a traditional cut with a clear, balanced tone and good response throughout the registers.
• V12 – for advanced players, designed for mouthpieces with a long facing, such as Vandoren 5RV Lyre and B45.
• 56 Rue Lepic – thicker cane with a tapered heel, similar to German-cut reeds, with a full, focused tone.
• V21 – combines the shape of the 56 Rue Lepic reed with the profile of the V12, delivering a warm, deep tone with an immediate response in every register and handling large interval leaps as well.

A clarinet ligature holds the reed on the mouthpiece. To prevent your reeds from warping after playing and protect their thin tips from damage, store them in a reed case.