Clarinet & Saxophone Reeds

If you have chosen to play the clarinet or saxophone, congratulations - they're both incredibly versatile instruments that will bring you hours of enjoyment.

HOWEVER.... 

A big part of playing reed instruments is BUYING REEDS. That's right, buying them. Unless you can grow a whole bunch of Arundo Donax in your backyard and cut your own, you're going to have to get used to spending money on these very necessary items.

The MAT Music program recommends VANDOREN brand reeds for class. 6th graders typically play on a #2 strength, 7th graders play a #2 1/2 strength, and 8th graders play a #3 strength reed. This is not set in stone - different players will have different requirements. Mr. Sutton or your private teacher can help you decide which reed is best for you.

Mr. Sutton will give you a reed guard that holds 4 reeds when he checks out an instrument to you. You are expected to have FOUR good quality reeds at all times, and to ROTATE your use of each reed. Never play the same reed two days in a row; let it dry out and play the other three reeds first. This will prolong the life of your reeds and insure that you always have a selection of reeds to play.

You can ALWAYS buy reeds in class from Mr. Sutton. I charge whatever the current price is for a box of reeds on Amazon.

Here are links to buy reeds on the internet:                                                

Vandoren Clarinet #2 Reeds - Amazon - wwbw - Sam Ash

Vandoren Clarinet #2 1/2 Reeds - Amazon - wwbw - Sam Ash

Vandoren Clarinet #3 Reeds - Amazon - wwbw - Sam Ash

Vandoren Alto Sax #2 Reeds - Amazon - wwbw - Sam Ash

Vandoren Alto Sax #2 1/2 Reeds - Amazon - wwbw - Sam Ash

Vandoren Alto Sax #3 Reeds - Amazon - wwbw - Sam Ash

You'll notice that a box of ten reeds ranges between $25 and $30. If you would prefer to purchase reeds directly from the school, Mr. Sutton will sell them to you at whatever price Amazon is listing for that week.

LARGER INSTRUMENTS

If you switch to the Bass Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone or Baritone Saxophone, those reeds cost even MORE because they're BIGGER. And, I suppose, because music companies know they can charge more. These reeds only come with FIVE reeds per box, so take care of them!

Here are links to buy reeds on the internet:                                                

Vandoren Bass Clarinet Reeds - Amazon - wwbw - Sam Ash

Vandoren Tenor Saxophone Reeds - Amazon - wwbw - Sam Ash

Vandoren Baritone Saxophone Reeds - Amazon - wwbw - Sam Ash

OTHER BRANDS OF REEDS

I don't have anything against other brands (like Rico, D'Addario, etc.), but you have to be careful. There are many brands of "budget" reeds that are poorly made and sound AWFUL. I tend to find that Rico reeds are great for jazz, rock, and other types of modern music, but they can make a bright, edgy sound that "sticks out" in a Concert Band setting.

If you invest in a plastic reed, the only way we'll know if it will work in class is by testing it. If you do buy one (they are more expensive), and if you sound like a duck on it, you won't be allowed to play it in class. Sorry! Go start your own avant-garde Honking Waterfowl Collective and get a gig at MoMa.

If you ever buy a FLAVORED reed, go ahead and play on it, taste it, laugh about it, but don't even THINK about bringing it into our rehearsal. They're meant to be novelty items for fun, but they DON'T play well or sound good.