The holiday season is here! Here we share our guide to the perfect Vandoren step-up items for your music students. These accessories are ideal recommendations for parents looking to upgrade their clarinet and saxophone players' gear and ensure they have everything they need to succeed.

Reeds

JUNO

JUNO reeds are crafted from the same high-quality cane as all Vandoren reeds and are specifically designed for beginning students.

They offer a faster response and greater ease of play, all while maintaining an affordable price for those just starting their musical journey.

Traditional

Traditional reeds give the student a full, even sound with body and depth.

Traditional reeds are the perfect fit if your students have been playing on JUNO Reeds and are ready to move up. Available for the entire clarinet and saxophone family!

V12

With a long palette and thicker blank, this reed allows for a richer sound, and the thicker tip gives body to the attack.

Excellent recommendation for advanced classical musicians looking to deepen their sound.

JAVA Green

Let's talk jazz! JAVA Greens will give your student a bright and flexible sound with great presence and projection.

This is perfect for a big band setting when you need to cut through a horn section. Available for the entire saxophone family.

JAVA Red

If you're looking for a jazz cut that provides more of a full, rich, centered sound with excellent projection, JAVA Red reeds are the perfect recommendation. Available for the entire saxophone family.

Mouthpieces

5RV Lyre

Our top choice for beginners. This mouthpiece allows for a focused sound that is very easy to control.

Available in Traditional, Profile 88, or Profile 88 & 13 Series beaks.

M13 Lyre

Another popular choice among beginners and advanced players alike, the M13 Lyre produces a warm and rich sound.

Because of the smaller tip opening, it's easier for students to get an immediate sound compared to more open mouthpieces that require more air.

The M13 Lyre is tuned to A440 (American pitch) as opposed to A442 (European pitch).

M30

The M30 produces a lovely warm and round sound. With a medium tip opening, this makes an excellent recommendation for advancing high school students and beyond.

Available in Traditional Beak, Profile 88, or 13 Series beaks. Works well for all genres of music.

Black Diamond Family

Featuring innovative internal and external designs, the Black Diamond Ebonite family offers intermediate and advanced clarinetists a richand colorful sound in all ranges of the clarinet. Available in a variety of tip openings and facings:

BD2: Close tip opening (similar to the M13 Lyre opening, but with Black Diamond characteristics). Crisp and articulate.

BD5: Medium tip opening and produces a beautifully dark and compact sound.

BD4: Medium tip opening that offers similar tone qualities as the BD5, with even faster response.

BD5 Bass: A very responsive mouthpiece with a round, full sound. Perfect choice for any beginner and advancing bass clarinetist.

The BD Bb Family is available in two different models: standard pitch (A=442) or 13 Series (A=440).

Optimum Family

A favorite among US band programs and classical players, Optimum family is known for a warm, round sound with immediate response and easy control. Our most popular models are:

AL3: Perfect for beginner alto saxophone players. It produces a warm, round sound with extremely easy control, making it a wonderful mouthpiece choice for students. See Profile family for an upgrade (below).

TL3: Comparable to the AL3, but is for tenor saxophone. See Profile family for an upgrade (below).

BL3: Comparable to the AL3, but is for bari saxophone. See Profile family for an upgrade (below).

Profile Family

Vandoren’s latest addition to the classical saxophone line, the Profile mouthpiece, offers effortless clarity, projection and flexibility. Perfect for advanced classical saxophonists in high school or above.

AP2: The latest addition to the Profile family. It produces a round and even sound with effortless response.

AP3: The AP3 is a favorite of advanced classical saxophonists looking for a flexible, colorful sound with unparalleled clarity and response.

TP4: Produces a warm and elegant sound.

BP3: Produces a round sound with precise attack.

V16 Family

The V16 family is the standard for jazz saxophonists around the globe. Available in a wide array of tip openings and chamber sizes, the V16 line provides the projection needed to soar over the ensemble, as well as the depth and body necessary to blend.

V16 A5/A6 in Medium or S+ Chamber: The S+ chamber provides the player with a slightly more focused jazz sound with incredible flexibility and projection. In comparison, the Medium chamber allows for a warmer and broader sound.

V16 T6 or T7: Similar to the alto V16 mouthpieces, Ebonite V16 tenor mouthpieces allow for greater projection and a colorful tone. They are great both section and solo playing.

B7: This baritone saxophone mouthpiece has a great blend of power and warmth. It is great for large ensembles as well as small combo groups.

Accessories

Reed Cases

Quadpack: Holds 4 Bb Clarinet or Alto Saxophone reeds. A simple and inexpensive way for even the youngest of students to keep their reeds safe.

Vandoren Reed Case (Blue): Holds 8 Bb Clarinet reeds or 6 Alto sax reeds

Hygro Reed Case: Take your reed care to the next level. Provides optimal, humidified storage for long-lasting reeds.

Ligatures

M|O: Our M|O ligatures for clarinets and saxophones come in different platings and offer a free and easy sound with crisp response. Available for multiple instruments.

Optimum: With three interchangeable pressure plates and a solid single screw tightening mechanism, this ligature is a favorite of students and professionals.

Reed Refinement

Reed Resurfacer: This is perfect for the advanced musician who loves to adjust and refresh their reeds.

Mouthpiece Pouches

Neoprene Pouch: Perfect for protecting your clarinet or saxophone mouthpiece in your instrument case.

Blue Suede Pouch: Protects mouthpiece inside the case and helps preserve the silver plating on clarinets, saxophones, and ligatures.

Saxophone Support

Neck Strap: Available in Regular or Deluxe versions (padded), these neck straps support your neck during a long practice session. Available in multiple sizes.

Vandoren Harness: This one is for our tenor and bari players! Protect your back and have a saxophone feel weightless on your body.

Download Our Holiday Gift Guide from Vandoren!