Detail 01
Strength 3.5+
An intermediate step between 3.5 and 4. More resistance, more control and projection, but it demands more air and a settled embouchure.
Product detailSKU #1274228081149
Vandoren56 rue Lepic Bb Clarinet Reeds Strength 3.5+ Box of 10
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
A box of ten Bb clarinet reeds in strength 3.5+, a half-step of resistance above 3.5. For players already comfortable at 3.5.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Players who find 3.5 going soft and 4 too stiff
- Advancing students building embouchure strength
- Anyone stocking up on a strength they've already settled on
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Beginners — start softer, around 2 or 2.5
- Alto, bass or Eb clarinet players
- Saxophone players; clarinet reeds are cut differently
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
Bb clarinet cut
Sized and shaped for the Bb soprano clarinet only. It won't seat properly on bass, alto or Eb mouthpieces.
Detail 03
Box of 10
Cane varies piece to piece. A box of ten usually yields a few strong performers, several usable, and one or two duds.
Detail 04
Cane reed
A natural material that swells and dries. Reeds need break-in, rotation between several, and eventually wear out and need replacing.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Reed strength interacts with your mouthpiece — an open facing plays stiffer at the same number
- 02No reed case or holder included
- 03Break new reeds in over several short sessions instead of playing one hard on day one
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01What does the plus in 3.5+ mean?
It's a half step between 3.5 and 4. Slightly more resistant than a 3.5 without the jump to a full 4.
02Will these work on my bass clarinet?
No. These are cut for Bb soprano clarinet. Bass clarinet uses a larger reed and needs its own box.
03How long does a box last?
Depends entirely on how much you play and how you rotate. Playing a different reed each day makes ten last far longer than favoring one.
04Should I move up from 3.5?
Only if 3.5 feels loose, thin at the top, or hard to control at volume. If you're struggling for air already, stay where you are.
