Language:
Adams Musical Instruments - Together in Music

What is a reed?

A reed is used to initiate a sound vibration in a woodwind instrument, such as a saxophone, clarinet, oboe, or bassoon. This occurs between the mouthpiece and the reed in single reed instruments, or between two reeds in the case of double reed instruments. This makes the shape of the reed important in shaping the sound and timbre.

Explore our wide assortment of reeds.

Single Reeds

How is a reed constructed?

The functional part of a reed is called the vamp. The vamp is the section without bark; it starts at the shoulder from the middle of the reed and narrows towards the tip. The length of the vamp has a strong impact on the reed's character, with longer vamps being more flexible and responsive, making them preferred by jazz musicians. For concert works, reeds with a shorter vamp are advantageous because they provide better focus, which helps with complex passages and precise playing.

The vamp of a reed can be divided into different parts:

  • The heart
  • The tip
  • The rail
  • The shoulder

The main characteristic of the tip and heart is their density. A more flexible heart responds better, while a denser heart sounds fuller. The tip density is a matter of finding a good balance. A tip with higher density can handle more airflow and thus more power. A more flexible tip responds better than a thicker tip.

Furthermore, there are filed and unfiled reeds. A filed reed has a straight cut line across the vamp of the reed, whereas an unfiled reed does not. There is a slight difference in sound between filed and unfiled reeds. The general rule is that a filed reed is usually used on darker-sounding mouthpieces to brighten the sound and make articulation easier.

Materials of Reeds

Reeds are made from cane (the plant), composite with bamboo, or plastic. Most musicians use reeds made from cane because they believe plastic reeds have an inferior sound quality. However, plastic reeds have a longer lifespan and require less maintenance than natural reeds.

What is Reed Strength?

Reeds come in various strengths, indicating the stiffness of a reed. A stiffer reed produces a deeper, richer sound but is more challenging to play. A more flexible reed is easier to play but gives a brighter, thinner sound. Most manufacturers rate reed strength on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the most flexible reed and 5 being the stiffest. These scales are not comparable between brands or even between types. Adams has provided a chart to help you find reeds with comparable strengths.

Tips for a First Purchase

Beginning players are advised to start with Vandoren Traditional 2 or 2.5. This reed offers a good sound, versatility across music styles, and is easy to blow. The difference between various reed brands is not very significant, but as a slightly advanced player, it is important to find the reed that suits you best.

Double Reeds

Many professional players make their own reeds. There are also ready-made reeds available, but these are not always to the player's liking. The shape and thickness often differ from what a player desires. Some amateurs also make their own double reeds.

How a Double Reed is Made

Oboe or bassoon reeds are primarily made from cane. There are also synthetic double reeds available from Légère. Natural reeds are made through the following process:

  1. A piece of cane with a specific diameter, 10mm for oboes, is vertically divided into thirds. Each of these sections becomes a reed.
  2. Each third is sanded on the inside so that the reed is approximately 0.6mm thick throughout.
  3. This piece is then folded in half to form a single reed.
  4. A special knife is used to shape the reed into a boat-like form.
  5. The reed is tied to the tube with string. The tip of the reed is cut off. This is done at this stage to protect the reed's tip. From this point on, the tip is no longer touched with the hands.
  6. The surface is sanded to create a soft convex shape.

How Long Should I Soak Reeds?

Oboe and bassoon reeds should be soaked in water before playing. We recommend soaking the reeds for 2-3 minutes in lukewarm water. Soaking them for longer has little additional effect and can even damage the reed by weakening it, resulting in a shorter lifespan for the reed.

What to Do If the Reed Is Open?

Sometimes double reeds can be too far apart. This happens more often when the reeds have not been used for a long time, or when the reed itself is too thin. In such cases, soak the reed and then press the reeds together to prevent cracks. You can also tie a string around the reed to adjust the opening. Biting on the reed and blowing into a reed with an opening that is too large can lead to bitten lips, which should be avoided at all costs.