Eb Clarinet Reeds

Eb clarinet reeds are smaller and narrower than Bb clarinet reeds because the small Eb clarinet also has a smaller, narrower mouthpiece, which a Bb clarinet reed will not fit. On this page, you will find cane reeds from the Vandoren Classic, Vandoren V12, Rico Royal and Rico Organic Reserve ranges, as well as Légère Classic and Légère European Cut synthetic reeds. You can choose a reed strength from 1 to 4.5. Cane reeds are sold in boxes of 10, while Légère synthetic reeds are sold individually.

Which Eb clarinet reeds should you choose?

• Vandoren Classic – the classic Vandoren cane reed in the blue box, in strengths from 1 to 4 in half-strength steps.
• Vandoren V12 – has a longer vamp and a thicker tip and heel than Classic, giving it a fuller, darker sound. You can choose strengths from 2.5 to 4.5.
• Rico Royal – a cane reed with a filed cut that adds clarity to the tone, in strengths 2 and 3.
• Rico Organic Reserve – reeds made from certified organically grown cane, manufactured specifically in the size for Eb clarinet, so you do not have to trim a larger reed to fit. The strengths are 3 and 3.5.
• Légère Classic and Légère European Cut – synthetic reeds made from polymer. Classic has a thicker tip and a darker sound, while European Cut is more flexible and comes in quarter-strength steps from 2.5 to 4.

What reed strength should you choose for your Eb clarinet?

Reed strength is indicated by a number: the higher the number, the harder the reed and the more air pressure it needs. The numbers used by different ranges do not match, however. Vandoren V12 in strength 3 is roughly equivalent to Vandoren Classic in strength 2.5, so when you switch from Classic to V12, choose a strength number half a step higher. A synthetic Légère Classic is harder than a Légère European Cut with the same strength number.

You can find reeds for Bb clarinet, bass clarinet and other clarinets on the clarinet reeds page, and the instruments themselves in the Eb clarinets category. For storing your reeds between rehearsals, use reed cases.