Reed Quality and Habits
by reedfinder on June 8, 2025
From beginners to professionals, every clarinetist knows the reed is both essential and unpredictable. This small piece of cane (or polymer) can inspire great artistry—or endless frustration. To understand how players manage this relationship, we surveyed over 250 clarinetists worldwide. Their responses reveal key preferences, challenges, and habits in the quest for the perfect sound. Let’s explore the data.

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Of the clarinetists who participated in the survey, 56.8% were professional players, 41.2% were intermediate, and 1.9% were beginners. Respondents came from a wide range of countries, including the USA, which had 150 participants. Approximately 95% of the respondents played the Bb clarinet, while only a small portion (7.4%) played the bass clarinet. Around 95% of the clarinetists used the Boehm system.

Cane vs. Synthetic
QUESTION #1
What type of reeds do you prefer?
An overwhelming majority of respondents — around 80% — still primarily use cane reeds. This loyalty reflects the complex, nuanced tone that players have sought from cane for generations. However, about 20% of players — a mix of professionals and amateurs — have made the switch to synthetic reeds. This growing minority suggests a shift in priorities for some clarinetists. The reasons become clearer when we look at the challenges players face. For cane users, the most common complaint by far is inconsistency in quality, followed by high cost and short lifespan. For synthetic users, inconsistency is rarely mentioned. Instead, their main concern is the high upfront cost, with some also noting a lack of tonal complexity compared to cane. This is the central trade-off: Cane offers the potential for sublime tone — but with unpredictability. Synthetic reeds deliver reliable consistency — but at a cost.
Adjustments
QUESTION #2
Do you adjust your reeds?
About half of professionals reported that they adjust or modify their reeds in some way. They’re not just searching for good reeds — they’re actively shaping them. Tools like reed knives, sandpaper, or glass plates are used to balance the vamp (the top) or flatten the table (the bottom) for better response and control. While it takes time, patience, and often a fair number of reeds to experiment with, this hands-on approach can significantly elevate your playing — giving you a deeper understanding of both your equipment and your sound.
Break-In
QUESTION #3
Do you follow a break-in routine?
Do you play a brand-new reed for two hours straight? The data suggests you might not want to. A strong majority of professional clarinetists follow a break-in process. This involves playing a new reed for short periods over several days to allow the cane fibers to acclimate to moisture and vibration. This simple habit strengthens the reed's cellular structure, preventing it from becoming waterlogged and wearing out quickly.
Rotation
QUESTION #4
Do you rotate your reeds?
The survey shows that rotating reeds is a common practice among dedicated players. Instead of playing one reed until it wears out, they keep a set of 2–4 (or more) reeds in regular use. This not only extends the life of each reed and provides a more consistent day-to-day playing experience, but also helps develop a more adaptable, "universal" embouchure. Relying on a single reed can cause you to adapt too specifically to its quirks. Rotating reeds challenges your playing in subtle ways and helps you stay flexible — which ultimately leads to greater control and reliability across a wider range of reeds.
Storage
QUESTION #5
How do you store your reeds?
As a reed dries out, it can warp — especially if it's left in an uncontrolled environment. A flat, humidity-controlled reed case helps prevent this, slowing down the rate of degradation and keeping your reeds more consistent over time. It’s one of the simplest and most effective upgrades you can make. I know many clarinetists who start with a humidity pack in their reed case, but forget to replace it once it dries out. If you play regularly, keeping that pack refilled can really extend the life of your reeds.

4.43

Boxes of reeds are bought per year on average

40.1%

Of clarinetists still buy reeds in local stores

3.49

Average reed strength of respondents

Reed Quality and Consistency

To understand the "why" behind the common frustrations, we asked players the following question: "What are your issues with reeds?" The results show that by far the biggest problem is inconsistency, while high cost is the second most important factor.

If you’ve ever opened a new box of ten cane reeds, you know the mix of hope and dread. Our survey data confirms this familiar experience. We asked clarinetists to categorize the reeds in an average box of ten as bad, average, or good. According to the responses, the average number of good reeds per box is 3.88. This finding aligns closely with previous studies on perceived reed quality among both clarinet and saxophone players. In the chart below, we illustrate the average quality ratings for five of the most commonly used reed types.

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.
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