Woodwind Reeds

Reeds are divided by instrument because they vary in dimensions and thickness. Furthermore, for each instrument category, there are reeds of different thicknesses, ranging from thinner and therefore softer, to thicker and consequently harder. Often, beginners use thinner and softer reeds to avoid straining the lips and jaw too much. The choice of reed also depends on the type of sound you want to achieve and personal factors. Additionally, the reed works in synergy with the type of mouthpiece in sound production, so identical reeds with different mouthpieces sound different.

Reed sizes generally range from 2 to 4, with lower numbers indicating softer reeds.

Browse by filtering reed types by categories in the left menu, this way you will find what suits your needs more easily.

Is this your first time hearing about reeds? Are you wondering what a reed is? Well, a reed is a small wooden tongue, generally very thin, that is attached to the mouthpiece of a wind instrument and is pressed with the lip during the air emission. The passage of air will make the reed vibrate, producing the sound, which will then be further modified by the cavity and the material of the instrument.

All instruments that use reeds are classified as "woodwinds," so even saxophones (which use reeds) are woodwinds, although at first glance, we might mistakenly classify them as brass. Reed instruments are further classified into double reeds such as oboe, bassoon, contrabassoon, etc., and single reeds such as clarinets and saxophones.