Why We Make So Many Clarinet and Saxophone Reed Types

Find Your Perfect Reed Type

Our product specialists are based all around the country and can help you find your perfect sound. Schedule a free, 15-minute consultation to talk shop. View our reed types below to get started.

Traditional Cut

Superiority proven over the years. These reeds suit all styles of music. Available for all clarinets and saxophones.

• Excellent response in all registers, allowing a pianissimo attack in even the highest notes.
• Extremely flexible, allowing the legato or staccato execution of large intervals
• Gives body and clarity to the sound.

Available for Ab, Eb, Bb, Alto, Bass and Contra clarients, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, bari, and bass saxophones

V•12

Deep, rich tone. An excellent option for musicians looking for darkness to their sound. Available for Eb, Bb, Bass clarinets and Soprano, Alto, and Tenor saxophones.

• Thicker heel and are cut on a longer palette with a slightly thicker tip than the Traditional.
• The longer palette means that more of the reed is vibrating, resulting in a deeper, richer sound.
• The thicker tip gives body to the attack and also increases the longevity of the reed.
• The V•12 offers a warm, rich and powerful sound.

Available for Eb, Bb, Bass clarinets, soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones.

56 rue Lepic

Designed from thicker cane with a heel taper very similar to German-style reeds. Strength gradations are smaller and more specific, resulting in reeds that are very consistent.

• Rich
• Centered and extremely pure sound with maximum stability
• Extremely colorful and flexible
• Quick response in all registers

Available for Bb clarinet only

V21

The Bb clarinet V21 reed combines the shape of a 56 rue lepic reed with a V•12 profile. This unique combination makes all registers of the clarinet more accessible with warmth and a depth of sound.

• Play with amazing presence and immediate response.
• Handles large interval leaps efficiently
• Even and rich tone

Available for Eb, Bb, and Bass clarinets, soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones

Java Green

Developed in 1983 for jazz and popular music. A thicker tip and a more flexible palette than the Traditional reed allow vibration over a larger surface area with maximum elasticity.

• Greater tonal flexibility
• Thicker tip
• Excellent for all jazz types

Available for soprano, alto, tenor, and bari saxophones

Java Red

The driving force behind the JAVA “Filed – Red Cut” design was to offer more sonic possibilities to musicians while keeping the qualities of the original Java.

• Flexible
• Excellent tonal body
• Projection with a precise attack

Available for soprano, alto, tenor, and bari saxophones

ZZ

Developed in 2002, the ZZ jazz reed is immediately responsive without sacrificing the brightness or tone quality required for this style of music.

• Rich, colorful sound
• Quick response
• Great for all-around jazz

Available for soprano, alto, tenor, and bari saxophones

V16

Launched in 1993 and made for American jazz players.

• Thicker tip than the traditional Vandoren reeds and a longer palette
• Sound is dark and percussive
• Excellent for new styles of music

Available for soprano, alto, tenor, and bari saxophones

Sampling Made Easy

Discover your favorite reed type for Classical and Jazz without having to purchase an entire box with our Vandoren Mix Cards.