Vandoren Traditional Bb Clarinet Reeds, Strength 3, Box of 10
Vandoren Traditional strength 3 are cane reeds for Bb clarinet, sold in boxes of 10. It's the line Vandoren describes as the most played among professionals, and it works for every style.
What sets it apart
- Response in every register, down to a soft high attack
- Flexibility for slurred or tongued wide intervals
- Box of 10, each reed individually packed
What Vandoren expects from a Traditional
The maker sums up the line in three qualities. First, a clean response throughout the instrument, to the point of starting the very top notes pianissimo. Second, real flexibility, so large leaps can be played legato or staccato. Third, a sound with both body and clarity.
Strength 3 sits in the middle of the Traditional scale, which runs from 1 to 5. It's the strength Vandoren recommends, for example, on the BD5 mouthpiece (3 to 3½) or the BD6 (2½ to 3½). Worth remembering: the more open the mouthpiece, the softer the reed should be.
Getting a new box started
Vandoren suggests breaking in each new reed by playing it a few minutes daily before putting it into regular use, and not getting attached to just one: as it softens, it would make every other reed feel too hard. To wet it, water beats saliva, without leaving it to soak. Every reed and every box carries an authentication code you can check with Vandoren.
Specifications
| Line | Traditional |
|---|---|
| Instrument | Bb clarinet |
| Strength | 3 |
| Contents | Box of 10 reeds |
| Strengths offered | 1, 1½, 2, 2½, 3, 3½, 4, 5 |
| Material | Cane, 100% plant-based |
What it's for
- Intermediate or advanced band student
- Orchestra, chamber music, jazz
- Rotating several reeds day to day
Compared with other manufacturers
Other manufacturers make Bb clarinet reeds:
| Manufacturer | Model | Material | What the maker claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vandoren | Traditional | Cane | Response in every register |
| D'Addario | Organic Reserve Classic | Not stated | Thicker tip, squared corners |
| Légère | Signature | Synthetic | Very stable, free blowing |
| Henri SELMER Paris | Bb reeds | Organically sourced cane | Plastic-free packaging |
Frequently asked questions
- Which strengths does the Traditional Bb clarinet reed come in?
- From 1 to 5: 1, 1½, 2, 2½, 3, 3½, 4 and 5, in boxes of 10.
- What are Vandoren reeds made of?
- Cane, an entirely natural plant. The shiny part isn't varnish: it's the cane's own bark.
- How do you break in a new reed?
- Vandoren's advice: give it a short daily session over several days before it joins your regular rotation.
- Should you wet a reed with water or saliva?
- Water is better: some people's saliva is acidic and wears reeds faster. Don't leave the reed soaking too long.
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