Every clarinet or saxophone player should have a minimum of three good reeds in their case at all times.

"Good" means that the reed is not chipped or cracked. Reeds are delicate and will break without special care by the student, especially in these early days. Your child may go through multiple reeds per month until they learn to be more careful about protecting their reeds from chipping.

1. • We recommend #2 strength Rico reeds for beginners.

   • We recommend #2.5 strength Rico reeds for second-year players.

(Check with your teacher for their recommendation. )

The most cost-effective way to buy reeds is in multi-packs. They come in packs of 10 and 25. You can find these at any local music store or online. Our teachers also sell individual reeds, but it is less expensive to get a whole pack.

BRANDS TO LOOK FOR:

There are good brands and bad brands of reeds. Please stick to one of the following brands: Rico, VanDoren, Mitchell Lurie, Rico Royal, and Legere. (Rico is usually the cheapest.)

Brands to Avoid:

Cicilio, Lazarro, Glory, or anything else that is significantly cheaper. Additionally, any flavored reeds might seem fun, but don't work. Bad reeds are very difficult to play on and will not result in a positive experience.