Klarinet Archive - Posting 000230.txt from 1999/03

From: CEField@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] REEDS OF A DIFFERENT KIND
Date: Thu, 4 Mar 1999 16:39:34 -0500

Upon Abe Galper's earlier recommendation, I purchased two Legere reeds.
Everything Abe says is true. The reeds tend to be softer than similarly graded
reeds (from Vandoren, at least). You would want to order a Legere reed that is
at least 0.25 higher in strength than the reed you are using now. I believe
Legere allows you to return reeds for credit or refund if you are unhappy.

The Legere reed produces a wonderful tone, as Abe observed. When I played it
during a rehearsal the other evening, even my opinionated flute and oboe
playing friends were impressed with the tone. I think the oboist was hoping
Legere would get into oboe reed-making...

However, here is something curious I discovered.

When I first tried the reed at home, I was using a hard rubber mouthpiece. The
tone was bright and edgy. My first thought was to disparage the reed. But it
occurred to me that the "combination" might be at fault. I tried the reed on
an old wood Buffet mouthpiece and the tone is beautiful.

In short, you might need to experiment a bit to find the right setup. But
isn't that we clarinetists like to do most?

Meantime, I'll be putting in another order with Legere. I plan to try a couple
more reeds at incrementally harder strengths to find my ideal.

Oh, another thing: it's so nice to know I can pull out the Legere reed and
being playing immediately without concern for adequately warming up a cane
reed.

Cindy

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