The Ultimate Clarinet Upgrade Guide: Budget-Friendly Tips That Actually Work (Part 1)
Oct 27, 2025
The Ultimate Clarinet Upgrade Guide: What's Actually Worth Your Money?
Transform your playing without breaking the bank—proven accessories from pro clarinetists
The $500 Question Every Clarinetist Asks
You're standing in the music store (or browsing online at 2 AM—we've all been there), wondering: Which upgrade will actually make a difference in my playing?
Should you splurge on a new mouthpiece? Invest in a fancy reed case? Or is that $60 reed tool really worth it?
I sat down with two of the finest clarinetists I know—Josh Goo from Quick Start Clarinet and Lynn Snyder (aka Queen Reed)—to answer exactly that question. What followed was 30 minutes of pure gold.
The Budget Tier: $100 and Under
The Game-Changing $60 Investment
Lynn Snyder started with a bombshell: "I think you have to elevate your reed game."
Her secret weapon? The Reed Geek—a specialized metal tool that costs around $60-70 and has transformed how she approaches reed preparation.
What makes it special?
"You don't have to know a ton about adjusting your reeds," Lynn explains. "If you just want to flatten the backs of your reeds, just run the blade over the back with this little tool."
Before the Reed Geek, clarinetists needed sandpaper and a flat surface—not exactly convenient at rehearsals. This tool fits in your pocket and works anywhere.
The Tupperware Revolution
Yes, you read that right. Tupperware.
Lynn's first recommendation for budget-conscious players? Get a dedicated container for your reed supplies. Here's what should be inside:
Essential Items:
- Reed case(s)—you can have multiple types
- Boveda humidity packs (Lynn swears by 49% for Southern California)
- Cork grease
- Earplugs (yes, really—protect your hearing!)
- Tweezers (life-changing for eyebrow emergencies AND pulling out screws)
The Reed Case That Actually Works
All three of us agreed: The Brad Behn Reed Case is a game-changer.
Why? Because reeds sit on rails instead of flat surfaces. Combined with Boveda packs inside, your reeds won't warp. Period.
Josh reported: "It's been years now, year and a half, two years, and I've been incredibly [impressed]—this has been the biggest game changer for me."
I demonstrated this live during our conversation—I grabbed a completely dry reed from the case and it immediately passed the "suck test" on my mouthpiece. That's how good the humidity control is.
The Slippery Solution
Mike Lowenstern's cork grease got a special shoutout from Josh for being impossibly slippery—making assembly a breeze. Sometimes the smallest upgrades make the biggest daily difference.
The Mid-Tier: Mouthpiece Territory ($150-$300)
When Should You Upgrade Your Mouthpiece?
This was a hot topic. We've all played the same mouthpiece for YEARS. Lynn played a single B40 Lyre for five years straight, and stuck with that model for 15 years total.
Price Point Breakdown:
$150 Range:
- Vandoren mouthpieces - solid, reliable, professional quality
$200-$300 Range:
Premium Range ($300+):
- Brad Behn mouthpieces
- Josh's analogy: "It's like driving a sports car—very responsive, does all the things you want, but you have to be ready to handle it"
The Honest Truth About Premium Mouthpieces
I've been playing on a Brad Bain mouthpiece since August 2024, and I'm fully outfitted with Brad Bain equipment. Is it worth it?
Yes—but there's a catch.
You need to be at a place where your playing is refined enough that you know what you want. This isn't your first upgrade from a student mouthpiece.
Budget Alternative: Brad's Prescott line offers similar characteristics at a lower price point. Worth investigating if you're curious about his designs but not ready for the flagship model.
The Mouthpiece "Suck Test"
Want to know if your mouthpiece and reed are sealing properly?
- Put your reed on
- Put your mouthpiece on the big part of your hand
- Suck in
If it creates a seal for a few seconds then pops off—you've got a good seal. This simple test can diagnose so many issues!
Pro tip: You need multiple mouthpieces and reeds to test properly. It might not be your mouthpiece—it could be your reed.
The Philosophy: Small Changes, Big Impact
One of my favorite moments from this conversation was when we realized we all do the same thing: we keep reeds everywhere.
Lynn compared them to chapstick: "I have them everywhere. They're in the house, they're in drawers, they're in every bag I own... I've never been unhappy to find an extra reed in a bag."
This mindset shift—treating your clarinet supplies like essential everyday items rather than precious commodities—makes a huge difference in your playing life.
The Bottom Line
Under $100: Focus on reed care
- Reed Geek tool ($60-70)
- Brad Bain Reed Case ($50-80)
- Boveda humidity packs ($10-15)
- Dedicated storage container
$150-$300: Consider a mouthpiece upgrade
- Vandoren for reliable professional quality
- Backun or Shed VS for next-level responsiveness
- Try before you buy when possible
What Not to Do:
- Don't skimp on reed care
- Don't jump to premium mouthpieces before you're ready
- Don't forget the "boring" essentials (tweezers, cork grease, earplugs)
What's Next?
This is just Part 1! Next week, we're diving into higher-tier upgrades and the gear that professional clarinetists swear by.
In the meantime, I want to hear from you: What's the best clarinet upgrade you've ever made? Drop a comment below and let's keep the conversation going.
Listen to the Full Episode
Want to hear the complete conversation, including the live demonstrations and unscripted moments?
LISTEN NOW →
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ultimate-clarinet-upgrade-guide-budget-friendly/id1806592700?i=1000733694375
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4w5AsUTOfavMq4rXQt81xK?si=aa436fee95dc442e
Youtube podcast: https://youtu.be/zg-VCR9Sqyo?si=gOYhTD8F6uEODlWZ
Youtube video: https://youtu.be/6-n8JXGXsnk
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About the Guests
Josh Goo is the creator of Quick Start Clarinet, helping thousands of clarinetists improve through his YouTube channel and teaching programs. Find him at [Quick Start Clarinet website/social]
Lynn Snyder is a professional clarinetist and internet personality known as "Queen Reed." After a hiatus, she's making her comeback, and we can't wait to see what she creates next!
Until next time, keep practicing and keep upgrading!
— Jay Hasler, Clarinet Ninja
Reader Resources
Mentioned in This Episode:
- Brad Bain Reed Case
- Reed Geek Tool
- Boveda Humidity Packs (49%)
- Mike Lowenstern Cork Grease
- Vandoren Mouthpieces
- Backun Custom Signatures
- Brad Bain Mouthpieces (including Prescott line)
Note: Some links may be affiliate links, which help support the podcast at no extra cost to you.
Tags: #ClarinetTips #ReedCare #MouthpieceSelection #ClarinetAccessories #MusicEducation #QuickStartClarinet #QueenReed