Most reeds are made from Arundo donax (giant cane), a plant related to bamboo. This plant originally grew in Asia and spread through the Middle East into the Mediterranean, where it has been cultivated for centuries. The warm, dry climate of southern France, Spain, and parts of Italy is especially well-suited to producing the dense, flexible cane that musicians prize.
In recent decades, high-quality cane has also been cultivated in other parts of the world. One notable example is Argentina, where intense sunshine and dry conditions build a distinct character.
Each growing region imparts subtle differences in strength, flexibility, and tone. While every reed is unique, all share the same remarkable origin in a single plant that connects players across cultures and generations.
Based on our reed guide, the average strength / experience is:
Harder is better?
No! Some top artists play softer reeds for flexibility. Your ideal strength depends on your embouchure, mouthpiece, and musical style. Generally, mouthpieces with a larger tip opening require softer reeds.
Answer a few questions. We'll suggest if you likely need a softer reed, a harder reed, or if you're already right.
Reed strengths aren’t the same across brands.
Manufacturers group reeds by how they flex, and labels (like “3”) can cover a
range of measured values.
That means a “3” from one brand might feel like a “3.4” from another.
At ReedFinder, we measure every reed individually.
With thousands logged, we made the first brand-independent strength chart.
It shows not only the normal strength distribution for each reed type but it
also shows the variety within each box.
If you've ever wondered why oboists and bassoonists take a little water everywhere they go...
Most players wet their reeds with saliva, but the chemistry inside your mouth can slowly harm the cane. Research shows that saliva contains ammonia and alkalis. These compounds induce plasticization in wood, lowering stiffness and making reeds less resilient. On top of that, dried saliva leaves behind salts and calcium deposits that clog pores, stiffen the tip, and deaden vibrations. That’s why reed makers consistently advise: skip the spit - use water instead if you want your reeds to stay flexible and responsive longer. Our recommendation is to use water at least for the first couple of days (break-in period). In this phase, canes absorb much more water. Later on, you can switch to saliva if you prefer. To prolong the lifespan of your reeds, use humidity controlled cases and don't forget to rotate your reeds.
💡Tip: Put your new reeds, tip down, into a glass half full of water (doesn't work with half-empty) for no longer than 30 seconds.It depends on your mouthpiece setup but starting with strength 2 should be a good start. As your embouchure and air support improves, you can gradually move up to strength 2.5 or 3.0 depending on your mouthpiece.
It depends, but usually, if you break in your reeds and use a few in rotation, one reed can last about 10 to 15 hours of playing.
Breaking in a new reed properly extends its lifespan and improves playability:
Patience during break-in pays off with longer-lasting reeds.
One important factor is the range of different strengths within a box. Other factors include the natural variability of the cane, fiber distribution, symmetry, and more.
Neither type is objectively better — choice depends on mouthpiece, playing style, and personal taste. If you're unsure, try both and compare tone and response. Nowadays there are a lot of different cuts available and whether you choose filed/unfiled reeds is just one of many factors.
A wavy reed tip usually indicates moisture problems or poor storage:
Always dry reeds on a flat surface, use a humidity-controlled case, and avoid extreme temperature changes. A slightly wavy reed will usually flatten out and be playable after a few minutes of playing.
As a clarinetist and teacher, I know the struggle: opening box after box of reeds, only to find that most of them don’t play the way you hoped. Even when you're using the same brand, strength, and mouthpiece, the results can be wildly inconsistent. It’s frustrating, expensive, and time-consuming — and I always felt there had to be a better way. That’s what led me to create ReedFinder. ReedFinder uses real player feedback and cutting-edge machine learning analysis to learn what makes a reed work — for you. With every rating you give, our system gets smarter. Over time, it builds a profile of what works best for you personally — and recommends reeds accordingly. Instead of trial and error, you're getting a clearer path toward consistency.
World’s #1
Reed Recommendation System
We believe every musician deserves a reed that matches their unique style and sound. Every single reed purchased on this site is being selected with cutting-edge machine learning algorithms to match your needs.
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