Detail 01
Strength 4.5
Hard. Takes more air and embouchure control, but resists closing up at volume and holds pitch under pressure.
Product detailSKU #1274228081238
VandorenV12 Bb Clarinet Reeds Strength 4.5 Box of 10
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Box of ten Bb clarinet reeds in strength 4.5. For advanced players already working with hard reeds and a close-facing mouthpiece.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Advanced or professional players with a developed embouchure
- Classical playing where a dense, focused tone is wanted
- Restocking when 4.5 is already your known strength
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Beginners and most students — 4.5 is a hard reed
- Players unsure of their strength; buy a softer box first
- Bass, alto or Eb clarinet, and any saxophone
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 for the Bb soprano clarinet only. It will not seat correctly on bass, alto, Eb clarinet or saxophone mouthpieces.
Detail 03
Box of 10
About $4.25 a reed. Cane varies piece to piece, so expect a few standouts and a few duds in every box.
Detail 04
Cane reed
Organic material that swells and dries. Needs breaking in and rotating, and it wears out rather than lasting indefinitely.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Reeds only. No ligature, mouthpiece, or reed case included
- 02Break new reeds in gradually; a few minutes each for the first days
- 03Rotate four or five reeds so no single one gets played out
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Is 4.5 too hard for me?
If you are not already playing 4 comfortably, yes. Jumping up a full strength usually costs you tone and endurance. Move up gradually instead.
02Will these fit my bass clarinet?
No. These are cut for Bb soprano clarinet. Bass clarinet takes a larger reed and needs its own box.
03How long does a box last?
Depends on hours played. Rotating several reeds instead of favoring one stretches a box considerably, since each gets time to dry out between sessions.
04Do I need to soak them first?
Wet the reed before playing, then start with short sessions for the first few days. Going straight to a full rehearsal on a new reed shortens its life.
