Customer Reviews

Rico Bb Clarinet Reeds, Strength 3.5, 25-pack

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

There are a lot of good reviews about reeds and Rico reeds specifically. Instead of just telling you how good the Rico #2 reed is I will give a review and address questions about reeds in general. First is what reed do you use first? If you are already playing then you probably already know that answer. If you are a professional then you have that answer too. If you are just beginning then this will help you. I went to Rico themselves and spoke with an expert so I could give you the information you needed. Personally, the Rico #1 1/2 is a great place to start as one reviewer has already mentioned. If you played before, put your clarinet away and are starting back as I am. I used to use a 3 1/2 Mitchell Lurie which is made by Rico as the expert told me. Then there is the new Plasticover reeds which are made with both cane and plastic and they taste terrible...YUCK!...lol. The plastic reeds are great for the outside such as marching band. I wish I had them when I was in the marching band 30 years ago. So what do you do when there are so many types out there. One reviewer mentioned the Rico 2 is a good place to start and I would agree, but if you are beginning start with a 1 1/2 it will be easier to blow air through and one other thought I bet you didn't know was that Benny Goodman, very famous playing the clarinet used a 1 1/2. I would also tell you not to buy too many and remember because you may not be able to send them back for hygiene purposes. In the Rico family they start with the regular Rico, then Royal, Reserve, Select Jazz, Grand Concert, for outside the Plasticover. Remember all of those words had Rico in front of them. They also go up in cost the better the reed is. That brings me to my next thought. Reeds are very personal. It depends on what you are playing, Marching band, Classical, or Jazz. What kind of tone you want. My recommendation is to try them all if you can and with that you will find the reed that you like. Rico also makes the Mitchell Lurie as I stated and the Mitchell Lurie Premium. The Vandoren reed is just like the regular Rico reed according the expert I was speaking of. I personally have not tried the Vandoren Reed. I suppose I will in the future just to see for myself. I hope this has helped and not made things too confusing. Buy the fewest you can and if it is for school band the Regular Rico Reed 1 1/2 or 2 is just fine and as you get better you can be overwhelmed just as I was with all the other reeds out there. Good Luck and enjoy the beauty of music. Let me know if I can help further and feel free to check out my other reviews and many are about the clarinet and in video too.

I play clarinet, and highly recomend Rico reeds because they don't crack or snap easily. If you are a beginner at Clarinet, buy the 2 size 10 pack of reeds. Most people can use that size. Very good, after a year I still have some reeds left. I highly recomend these.

I have always found Ricos to be acceptable beginner reeds for students in their first year or two playing. The reeds are fairly consistent, and the lower price means that breaking a reed is not too much of an expense for whomever is footing the bill for reeds (teacher, student, school, parent...). The provided plastic cases do a good job protecting the reed, as long as they are not pushed in too far. I usually move students to Rico Royal or Vandoran after their first full year or two. Amazon does have excellent prices on reeds - definitely recommend buying here!

That's just it--these are great to begin learning with. They don't last long, though, and young children should be taught right away how to be careful with them (to avoid cracking, splitting).

I was very pleased with the quick shipping on these reeds and thankful for the good price since my clarinetist is a beginner, and we may go through lots of them this year :)

needed a light reed to get my chops back into action. these are perfect.

I have always found Ricos to be acceptable beginner reeds for students in their first year or two playing. The reeds are fairly consistent, and the lower price means that breaking a reed is not too much of an expense for whomever is footing the bill for reeds (teacher, student, school, parent...). The provided plastic cases do a good job protecting the reed, as long as they are not pushed in too far.

However, the number 2 is reed is quite soft in my opinion. I have always started my middle school students on 2 1/2s, and have had plenty of success. I would assume these would be good for younger students (3rd-5th grade)...but I can't say for sure as I only teach middle school. I would have students try making sound on a 2 1/2 first and then go down only if students really struggle making a sound.

My daughter is in Middle school band and learning. She asked for this brand and says they work fine.

It was a great experience....my daughter came home needing reeds for her first year of band and we have no local music store and would have had to drive 45 minutes away to find one. I ordered these and recieved them quick enough in the mail for her to start with. And they were in great condition. Thanks.

The reeds arrived very fast and in perfect condition. The boxes were sealed and exactly as promised! Will be ordering here from now on.