Bass Clarinet Reeds

Bass clarinet reeds are sized and cut to fit a bass clarinet mouthpiece, so you cannot use Bb or Eb clarinet reeds on it. On this page, you will find cane reeds from Vandoren and D'Addario Woodwinds (Rico), as well as synthetic reeds from Légère. Vandoren makes them in the Classic (called Traditional by the manufacturer), V12 and V21 ranges, while D'Addario offers the Reserve, Royal and Rico ranges. Légère offers the Classic, Signature and European Cut ranges, made from a polymer that does not absorb moisture. Choose according to the material, cut and strength, which is indicated by the number on the packaging.

Bass clarinet reeds: cane or synthetic?

Cane reeds are made from Arundo donax cane. Vandoren packs its bass clarinet reeds in boxes of 5, each individually sealed in a Flow Pack. D'Addario Reserve and Royal are made from certified organic cane, with Reserve supplied in packs of 5 and Royal in packs of 10, while Rico comes in packs of 3.

A Légère synthetic reed is made from modified polypropylene. It does not absorb moisture, so you do not need to soak it before playing, and it is sold individually.

Which range of bass clarinet reeds should you choose?

• Vandoren Classic (Traditional) – Vandoren's standard range, recommended by the manufacturer for all styles of music.
• Vandoren V12 – a thicker heel, a longer vamp and a slightly thicker tip than Traditional. According to the manufacturer, the longer vibrating section produces a deeper, fuller sound.
• Vandoren V21 – combines the shape of the 56 rue Lepic range with the V12 profile. The manufacturer recommends it for passages with large interval leaps where you want an even tone.
• D'Addario Reserve – a longer vamp, squared tip corners for ease of response and a thicker tip for added support. It is designed for advanced students and professionals playing classical music, chamber music and in wind orchestras.
• Royal by D'Addario and Rico – Royal has a French filed cut with the bark removed, while Rico has a thinner profile for ease of response. The manufacturer recommends both ranges for beginners and students.
• Légère Classic, Signature and European Cut – Classic has a thicker tip for a darker sound, Signature is thinner and vibrates more freely, and European Cut is wider than Signature with a shorter vamp.

Which bass clarinet reed strength should you choose?

Reed strength is the number on the packaging: a lower number means a softer reed, and a higher number means a harder reed. Vandoren V12 and V21 bass clarinet reeds are made in strengths from 2.5 to 4.5, D'Addario Reserve also offers the intermediate strengths 3.0+ and 3.5+, and Légère Signature and European Cut come in quarter-strength increments. You can also use reed cases to carry your reeds without damage. For reeds for other clarinets, visit the clarinet reeds category, and for the instruments themselves, see the bass clarinets page.