Where to Buy Reeds
Bassoon Reeds
Oboe Reeds
*Note: Some reed-makers ask what type of reed you are looking for. Tell them you need a long/stable reed with a "dark" tone (mellow/pretty as opposed to bright/quacky). It is good to know if your child tends to be sharp/flat in band, and if he/she needs more open reeds.
English Horn Reeds
- CB Reeds & Tools by Cullen Blain - Beginners can get the student reed (worth the wait!). I use the professional "medium soft" reed.
- Forrests Music - the "Forrests Gold Label" or "Albion Blue Label" are inexpensive and good
- Raffe Reeds by Eryn Oft
- Bel Canto Reeds
- Tiger Reeds
Oboe Reeds
*Note: Some reed-makers ask what type of reed you are looking for. Tell them you need a long/stable reed with a "dark" tone (mellow/pretty as opposed to bright/quacky). It is good to know if your child tends to be sharp/flat in band, and if he/she needs more open reeds.
- Wildflower Reeds - made by Elise Belk (former student of John Mack) in Texas. I use the "medium professional" reeds. Very fast shipping.
- Sunshine Reeds - made by Amelia Van Howe. Also great, and arrive within a week after ordering.
- Oxford Reeds - Made in Georgia by Rebecca Testerman. I've used these for concerts.
- James Sullivan Oboe Reeds - Nice and open reeds, warm sound. Many of my high school students like these for auditions. They can take 2 weeks in the mail.
- Edmund Nielsen - 6th and 7th graders should get "medium" or "medium hard" (go with medium hard if they are flat in band class) in green, purple, and black thread colors. These reeds are a little inconsistent, but inexpensive and much better than the ones at the music store. 8th graders should start transitioning to intermediate or professional reeds. For the professional level reeds, I recommend the white, purple or blue thread or order from one of the other reedmakers listed here.
- MKL Reeds - Expensive, but fast shipping, You can return and exchange after playing the reed if you don't like it. I use the "blue dot" and "triple yellow dot" reeds, and you have to request the colors at checkout.
- Midwest Musical Imports
English Horn Reeds
- Oxford Reeds - Made in Georgia by Rebecca Testerman
- Wildflower Reeds
- Sunshine Reeds
- MKL Reeds
- Erica Howard
