How do I try or test a clarinet reed?

Install the Reed Carefully

• Line up the tip of the reed just below the mouthpiece tip.
• Make sure it’s centered left to right.
• Tighten the ligature enough to hold the reed firmly but not crush it.

Start with Warm-Up

• Don’t go full blast right away.
• Start with some long tones in the low register
• Gradually move to middle and upper registers.

Try Different Musical Contexts

• Play a bit of legato, staccato, and technical passages.
• Try soft dynamics and louder dynamics.

While testing, ask yourself:

Response:

• Does it speak easily, especially at soft dynamics?
• How’s articulation—clean or resistant?

Tone:

• Is the sound warm, bright, buzzy, thin?
• Is it even across the full range?

Intonation:

• Does it stay in tune across registers?
• Compare tuning of throat tones vs. chalumeau/clarion.

Resistance:

• Does it feel too hard or too soft?
• A hard reed might feel stuffy or make the high notes hard.
• A soft reed might be buzzy, airy, or unstable at loud volumes.

Extra Advice

• Don’t judge a reed too quickly. Some need a few sessions to “settle.”
• Label or number reeds so you don’t lose track of which ones you like.
• Use a consistent mouthpiece for testing to remove variables.