Detail 01
Strength 4
Stiff. Takes more air and firmer embouchure, gives a darker centered sound and resists closing up when you push.
Product detailSKU #1274228081373
Vandoren56 rue Lepic Bb Clarinet Reeds Strength 4 Box of 10
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
A box of 10 Bb clarinet reeds in strength 4, for advancing and advanced players who already blow comfortably on a 3.5.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Players moving up from 3.5 who feel the reed collapsing
- Classical playing where a firm, stable core matters
- Buying a full box to sort and rotate through
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Beginners in a first year of playing
- Anyone unsure of their strength — buy a single or a 3.5
- Alto or bass clarinet players; these are Bb cut
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 a Bb soprano clarinet only. Will not seat correctly on alto, bass or Eb mouthpieces.
Detail 03
Box of 10
Enough to break in several at once and rotate. Expect variation between reeds within any box.
Detail 04
56 rue Lepic line
A specific Vandoren cut. Reed strength numbers are not interchangeable across cuts or brands — a 4 here won't feel like a 4 elsewhere.
Detail 05
$42.50 for ten
About $4.25 per reed. A reed in regular use lasts weeks, not months, so this is a consumable.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Reeds are consumable and cannot be returned once opened
- 02Strength pairs with your mouthpiece; a close facing plus a 4 gets very resistant
- 03Break in new reeds over several short sessions instead of one long one
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Is strength 4 too hard for me?
If you're currently comfortable on 3.5 and want more resistance and a darker sound, 4 is the next step. If you're still building embouchure strength, stay lower.
02Will these fit my bass clarinet?
No. These are cut for Bb soprano clarinet. Bass clarinet takes a larger reed.
03How many reeds in a box?
Ten.
04Is a 4 in this line the same as a 4 in another Vandoren cut?
No. Strength numbers apply within a cut. Moving between cuts usually means adjusting a half step up or down to get the same feel.
