Vandoren Traditional Bb clarinet reeds, box of 10 - Strength 3

Great, do the job

Came well packaged and secure, replacement for broken reeds.

Bought as a present - the recipient said they were great.

Is it my imagination or have vandoren traditional reeds gradually become harder over the years? Is this a marketing ploy to get people to buy the slightly softer equivalent strength but more expensive types of other reeds they produce? Traditional reeds now seem thicker and less 'shaped' in the shoulder area of the reed than they used to be years ago. Could this be making the difference?

I buy these reeds regularly from here and have always been pleased with them. The size 3 is not really for beginners, if you are starting out then a 1.5 or a 2 would be best. I started out on a 2. You know when you need to progress because you have to start raising the reed higher on the mouthpiece. Once it starts overlapping higher than the mouthpiece due to it being too easy and poor reedy sound quality you need to go up a half size. Set that new size a little lower than the mouthpiece top ridge so that the thinnest port it only just touching the ridge across the top. That makes it play at its softest point. As your muscles get stronger and your endurance longer you will need to slowly start raising your reed set up so that a thicker part is vibrating against that top ridge.... until you eiether find you long term size because you no longer out grow the sizes or you need the next one up. Im not talking each time you put a reed on, it can take a year or so to outgrow a size as a beginner! Mouthpieces play a part in what size is best for you too. On one mouthpiece I am a 2.5 but my main mouthpiece I am a 3. Whatever you play best on and sound the best, with a reasonably good endurance to play for as long as you need to without muscle failure in your face, is the right size for you. Everyone is different. I have friends who started on a 2.5 and stayed on that size for good because the 3 was too much.

Bought on recommendation from daughter’s professional clarinet tutor. Quality is faultless, and size is perfect for 11 year old doing grade 3 ABRSM. We don’t use any other brand as we don’t want to compromise on sound quality, especially if we’re already paying so much for lessons, it would be a false economy to go with anything less!

Excellent product

Quality reeds. Good value