What Bassoon Reed Should I Buy? (Updated 2026)

One of the questions that we get asked most often here at Hodge Products is, “What bassoon reed should I buy?”

The answer depends on your instrument, your physiology, where and what type of music you play, and your preferences for how a reed feels and sounds. If you’re relying on reeds made by someone else, the best thing to do is to try a few different brands to find what suits you best.

All of our bassoon reeds are constructed from high quality cane by reputable makers. They have been tested and evaluated for consistency by our bassoon specialist. This post will provide information about each of the bassoon reeds that we carry so that you can make an informed decision about your equipment. Read on for the details, or skip to each reed brand below.

Table of Contents

• Helpful Definitions
• Reed Descriptions
  • Bassoon.ch Herzberg Style
  • Brundage Professional
  • Cody Hunter
  • Danzi Professional (Red)
  • Danzi Standard (Blue)
  • Legere Synthetic Pro Reed
• Reed Tests
• Conclusion
• Works Cited

Helpful Definitions

There are many variables at play when it comes to constructing a bassoon reed. The most influential variables are the shape type, the profile type, the length, and the wire placements. Each of these factors work together to determine the tone quality, intonation, response, and resistance level of a reed.

Shape type:

The shape of a bassoon reed refers to the lateral dimensions of the reed’s tube and blade. Different combinations of straight and curved lines are used to create specific shapes. Imagine a cookie cutter removing the excess dough to create a cookie in a particular shape- a cane shaper works in a similar way by removing excess cane to create the contours of the reed.

These days, there are many different shapes available for bassoon reeds, but they can generally be sorted into one of three categories (figure 1, below). (1)

Concave: Also called a “flared” or “Knochenhauer” shape. This shape type is made from concave curves, creating a proportionally wider tip and narrower throat. Concave shapes tend to be narrower overall with less blowing resistance, a brighter sound, and higher pitch.

Straight: This shape is made of straight (or slightly curved) lines from collar to tip. These are a variation on the convex type, sometimes referred to as “almost Knochenhauer.” Straight shapes offer a happy medium in terms of tone and resistance between the convex and concave types. (2)

Convex: Also known as a “wine bottle” or “Mechler” shape. This shape type is made of convex curves, placing the widest part of the blade about halfway up the length. Concave shapes tend to have more blowing resistance, a darker sound, and flatter pitch.

Profile types:

The profile of a bassoon reed refers to its “topographical map,” or the thickness of the blade at various points. In his book, Way of Cane, Eric Arbiter lists three basic profile types (see figure 2, right). (3) 

Length & Wire Placements

When we measure the length of a bassoon reed, we are actually looking at a few different measurements which primarily impact intonation:

• Overall length
• The vibrating length (measured from the tip to the first wire)

Reed Descriptions

Each of our reed brands have been play-tested for quality and measured for consistency by our bassoon specialist. The profile diagrams were constructed using average dial indicator measurements from 8-10 reeds by the same maker. If there is a specific shape listed by the manufacturer, that has been included with the shape type. While we have tried to remain as objective as possible with the descriptions, please bear in mind that your experience with each reed may vary depending on your instrument and personal preferences.

It is important to note that we do not label our reeds with a specific resistance level (hard, medium, soft, etc). All of our reeds are designed for players who have a developed embouchure- typically at least two to three years of playing at an intermediate level or above. Unfortunately, we do not carry “beginner” reeds at this time.

Please note that our reeds may need to be adjusted slightly after soaking for the first time. Skip to the Reed Tests section of this post for more details.

Bassoons.ch Herzberg Style

Brundage Professional

Cody Hunter

Danzi Professional (Red)

Danzi Standard (Blue)

Legere Synthetic Pro Reed

Reed Tests

Now that we’ve covered the details of each reed brand in our inventory, let’s explore some strategies for determining what reed is right for you. There are three factors to consider (in this order):

1. Response: How easy is it to make a sound on the reed? Can you articulate on it clearly at all dynamics and at a range of tempos?
2. Intonation: Does the reed play in tune without excessive embouchure adjustment? Do any notes stick out of the scale?
3. Tone: Do you like the way the reed sounds? Can you blend with other players?

Soak your new reed in warm water for 2-3 minutes, or until the wires become snug. Then, use the following tests to help answer the questions above.

Crow Test: (adapted from the Eubanks Quick Guide to Bassoon Reed Tuning)

• Place lips over the wires and blow gently. Increase air speed until a single pitch sounds.
• Check a tuner. For most reeds on most bassoons, the crow should be between an F and a G.
• If blown harder, does the reed produce a rattling “crow” sound or remain a single pitch?

If it is difficult to produce a sound on the reed by crowing, check for a normal tip opening (1-1.5 mm or ⅙’’ or less) and adjust the wires before continuing. The chart in figure three shows the necessary wire adjustments. (4)

After adjusting the wires, repeat the crow test above. Once the reed crows comfortably (i.e. without straining the throat, embouchure, or breathing muscles), proceed to the playing tests below.

Playing Tests:

1. Play E, F, C# (see figure 4 below) with full tone. Check the pitch with a tuner. Do not adjust to the reed! Make a note of whether these pitches are sharp, flat, or right on.

   

2. Play one of the three test scales below (play staccato, then slurred)

   
   

3. Play a familiar song or piece of repertoire. How does the new reed compare to your current favorite? How is the pitch, generally? How easy does it feel to play?

Keep in mind that a new reed will take some time to break in. It’s ok if it feels slightly more resistant to play on at first than an older reed.

Conclusion

After testing your new reed and evaluating the response, intonation, and tone, it's time to make a decision.

A reed brand is likely a good fit for you if:

• It crows at an F or G with a loud, rattling sound (before or after wire adjustments)
• It responds readily throughout the range of the instrument
• It feels comfortable to play on without biting or tensing the throat/ breathing muscles
• It plays in tune (or close to in tune) throughout the range of the instrument
• You like the sound quality

A reed brand is likely not a good fit for you if:

• It won’t crow, or is difficult to crow and wire adjustments don’t help
• You have to bite to control the pitch
• It is very sharp or very flat
• It feels difficult to make sound, or to control the sound for expressive purposes
• You do not like the sound quality

Recommendations from a teacher or friend can be a great place to start. However, everyone is different- what matters most is how a reed feels and sounds for you on your instrument.

Still have questions? Contact us on our website or email our bassoon specialist at bassoon.hodgeproductsinc@gmail.com

Works Cited

1. Eubanks, Mark G. Quick Guide to Bassoon Reed Tuning. Enterprise, OR: Arundo Research Company, 2015. 3. 
2. Eubanks, Mark G. Quick Guide to Bassoon Reed Tuning. Enterprise, OR: Arundo Research Company, 2015. 3. 
3. Arbiter, Eric. Way of Cane. New York City, NY: Oxford University Press, 2020. 105.
4. Eubanks, Mark G. Quick Guide to Bassoon Reed Tuning. Enterprise, OR: Arundo Research Company, 2015. 4,9.