The clarinet reed is perhaps the most personal and crucial choice a clarinetist makes in their musical journey. While the instrument itself provides the foundation, the reed acts as the voice – shaping tone, response, and overall playability. Professional clarinetists understand this intimately, often spending years refining their reed preferences to match their musical personality and performance needs.
This comprehensive guide explores the reed choices of professional clarinet players worldwide. We’ll examine the top brands, hardness levels, and specialized reed types favored by orchestral musicians, soloists, and jazz artists. Whether you’re an advancing student looking to upgrade your setup or simply curious about professional equipment, this article will provide valuable insights into the world of high-level clarinet performance.
The Role of Reeds in Professional Clarinet Playing
Professional clarinetists view reeds as more than just accessories – they’re essential partners in musical expression. The right reed can mean the difference between a performance that soars and one that struggles. Unlike student players who may use whatever reed comes with their instrument, professionals develop highly specific preferences through years of experimentation and refinement.
The ideal professional reed offers:
- Consistent response across all registers
- Balanced resistance for dynamic control
- Rich, focused tone quality
- Durability for extended playing sessions
These qualities allow professionals to meet the demands of orchestral excerpts, solo repertoire, and chamber music with confidence and artistry.
Top Reed Brands Used by Professionals
After decades of development and refinement, certain reed brands have emerged as favorites among professional clarinetists worldwide.
Vandoren Reeds
The French manufacturer Vandoren dominates the professional market, with their reeds found in nearly every major orchestra. Professionals particularly favor:
- Vandoren Traditional (Blue Box): The standard choice for many orchestral players, known for its balanced response and dark tone512
- Vandoren V12: Features slightly thicker vamp for more resistance and projection, popular with soloists12
- Vandoren 56: Designed for French-style playing with brighter tonal characteristics12
Vandoren’s rigorous quality control means professionals can expect consistency from reed to reed, crucial for high-pressure performance situations.
Gonzalez Reeds
Argentinian-made Gonzalez reeds have gained professional following for their:
- Bright, vibrant tone ideal for jazz and contemporary music
- Excellent response in altissimo register
- Consistent cut and durability5
Many professionals keep Gonzalez reeds in their case for specific repertoire requiring extra brilliance and projection.
Rico Reserve Classics
While Rico is often associated with student reeds, their Reserve line offers professional-grade options featuring:
- Hand-selected cane for premium quality
- Dark, complex tone favored by some orchestral players
- Excellent value compared to European brands15
Hardness Preferences Among Professionals
Reed hardness significantly impacts playability and tone. Professional players typically use reeds in the 3.5-4.5 range, though preferences vary by musical style and mouthpiece setup.
Classical Players
Most orchestral clarinetists use:
- 3.5-4.0 strength for standard repertoire
- Slightly softer reeds (3.0-3.5) for delicate chamber music
- Harder reeds (4.0+) for large hall performances requiring projection1113
The Vienna Philharmonic’s clarinet section famously uses softer reeds (around 3.0) to achieve their distinctive warm, singing tone.
Jazz and Commercial Players
Jazz professionals often prefer:
- 2.5-3.5 strength for flexibility in improvisation
- Thinner tip for faster response
- Bright-sounding reeds to cut through ensembles13
Legendary jazz clarinetist Eddie Daniels has been known to use Vandoren 3.0 reeds for their quick articulation and tonal versatility.
Soloists
Concerto soloists frequently choose:
- 3.5-4.0 strength for balanced resistance
- Reeds with slightly thicker vamp for projection
- Custom-filed reeds for specific passagework12
Specialized Reed Types for Professionals
Beyond standard cuts, professionals often explore specialized reed options for particular musical needs.
Filed vs. Unfiled Reeds
- Filed reeds: Feature a thinned area near the tip for quicker response (e.g., Vandoren V12)
- Unfiled reeds: Offer more resistance and darker tone (e.g., Vandoren Traditional)
Many professionals maintain both types for different repertoire.
Synthetic Reeds
While cane reeds dominate professional use, synthetic options like Legere have gained traction for:
- Extreme consistency in variable climates
- Longevity for pit orchestra work
- Emergency backups when cane reeds fail5
Most professionals still prefer cane for its superior tonal qualities but may use synthetics in specific situations.
Reed Preparation and Maintenance
Professional clarinetists don’t just play reeds – they cultivate them. Common professional practices include:
Breaking In New Reeds
- Gradual playing schedule over several days
- Rotation among multiple reeds to extend lifespan
- Careful storage in humidity-controlled cases5
Reed Adjustment
- Light sanding to balance response
- Tip trimming for articulation clarity
- Vamp adjustment for resistance control13
Many professionals develop personalized adjustment techniques over years of experimentation.
Regional Preferences in Professional Playing
Reed choices often reflect national schools of clarinet playing:
French Style
- Favors Vandoren 56 or V12 reeds
- Bright, focused tone with quick response
- Preferred by many competition winners12
German/Austrian Style
- Often uses softer reeds (3.0-3.5)
- Darker, more covered tone quality
- Matches German-system clarinets13
American Style
- Typically Vandoren Traditional or Rico Reserve
- Balanced between French brightness and German depth
- Adaptable to various musical styles15
The Professional Reed Selection Process
Choosing reeds is an ongoing process for professionals. A typical selection routine involves:
- Initial testing for basic response and tone
- Playing trials in different musical contexts
- Adjustment phase to refine characteristics
- Performance evaluation under pressure
Many professionals test dozens of reeds to find a few “performance-ready” candidates.
Conclusion
Professional clarinetists’ reed choices reflect their individual artistic voices and performance needs. While Vandoren dominates the field, other quality brands have their place in professional setups. The ideal professional reed combines consistency with musical flexibility, allowing the artist to focus on expression rather than equipment limitations.
For aspiring professionals, the path to finding your ideal reed involves:
- Experimentation with different brands and cuts
- Understanding how reeds interact with your mouthpiece
- Developing adjustment skills to customize response
- Patience through the trial-and-error process
Remember that even the world’s greatest clarinetists continually refine their reed preferences – it’s a lifelong journey of discovery and refinement.
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