Rico by D'Addario Bb Clarinet Reeds 10-pack
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Reed Strength Comparison: Rico vs. Rico Royal vs. Classic Vandoren
Typical Strength Relationships
| Brand / Model | Approx. Relative Play Difficulty for Same Numbered Strength |
|---|---|
| Rico Traditional | softer cane than other brands. |
| Rico Royal | Slightly stronger (firmer) than standard Rico at the same number; fuller response and tone. |
| Vandoren Traditional (Classic) | harder than a Rico equivalent. |
What this means in practice:
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lower Vandoren number to match the difficulty.
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½ strength harder than a similarly numbered Rico or Rico Royal reed on the same mouthpiece.
Summary Table
| Brand | Common Numbering Range | Relative Hardness (Same Number) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rico Traditional | ~1.5–3.5 | Softest | Beginners, very easy play |
| Rico Royal | ~1.5–4.0 | Slightly firmer than basic Rico | Students transitioning to intermediate |
| Vandoren Traditional | ~1.5–4.0+ | Firmest among these at the same number | Developing/intermediate players and expressive tone |
Practical Tip
½ strength lower than the Rico/Rico Royal number they normally use — especially when switching for the first time.