Does it really matter what brand of clarinet reeds you use?

phantoms_shadow · Does it really matter what brand of clarinet reeds you use?

I have been playing the clarinet for going on 4 years now and I have found that Vandoren reeds play the best. I have tried others but it doesn't produce the same sound. What is your thought on this? What are some other kinds of reeds you may use? My friend who happens to be an alto sax player thinks that he knows everything about the clarinet, he thinks that you can use any kind of reed for the clarinet. lol He has never played the clarinet. Rolling Eyes

JPSaxMan

Reed selection is critical with any instrument. You found your honey reeds. My band director hates Vandoren period...for saxophone and clarinet (I'm sorry, he uses Java's on his Super Action 80 tenor with a Dukoff D Cool

. But for clarinet he's using Mitchell Lurie's, and that's all he'll use. He HATES Vandoren for clarinet.

I like Vandoren ZZ 3's on alto, I don't mind Vandoren on clarinet (I've only been on it for a year, so I have no real "precision" to pick and choose reeds) and I don't mind Vandoren blue box for classical tenor. For jazz on my Dukoff tho, I might have to look at the Java's or maybe LaVoz reeds...maybe Rico Jazz Selects too?

But it's all about the player...whatever he/she likes and whatever works with the specific player. That's why Rico (orange box) reeds are generally better for younger players. They're blah reeds for a pro (unless worked with), which means general purpose reeds for younger players.

I'm glad to hear your reeds work for you and if they don't, by God, change them! Cool

phantoms_shadow

I tried Rico and HATED them with both the clarinet and sax. Do you know where I can get some Vandoren reeds from that are a little less expensive than where I am getting them now. There are not that many music stores where I live so I dont have much of a selection. My friend gets his reeds from the internet, I have no clue what brand they are but he seems happy with them. My clarinet case is full of junk, I was looking for a reed and found a sax reed. He took it, played on it, and said his were just as good. Would you recomend I look on the internet for reeds?