Klarinet Archive - Posting 000756.txt from 1999/12

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Re: Legere reeds.
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999 09:35:08 -0500

Joe,

If you will excuse me, I am clipping most of your post and concentrating on the
very end of it. As you can see from above, I am also cross posting to other
groups.

I must start by saying, I have not yet tried Legere reeds. I must.

Even if a synthetic reed plays to only 70 or 80% of an advanced player's
expectations of a "great" cane reed, the potential merits of a synthetic reed are
well worth considering. Specifically, their application for younger players is an
area well worth considering.

>From repeated clinics given at schools in my area, to both help clarinet and
saxophone sections, here are my experiences:

1) The average beginner has little, if any, sensitivity regarding reed strength.
In their desire to "play" they will resort to any embouchure configuration to get
a sound. 2) More advanced students at the high school level still have relatively
little discrimination regarding reed pliability. 3) Few, if any, high school age
students are taught reed care, common reed hygiene or the basics of proper reed
preparation or conditioning. Only a few of the most advanced players will have any
such knowledge, and that information will probably have come from private
teachers. 4) Most high school students have never seen a reed clipper and don't
even know of its existence.

The development of a good embouchure, particularly the not too forgiving clarinet
embouchure, requires having reeds of a correct and consistent strength during the
formative years (one to three). The development of proper breath support requires
maintaining reeds of a correct and consistent strength. A proper reed strength, a
strength that matches any particular mouthpiece opening, is also necessary in
developing a concept of characteristic tone quality.

If the Legere reed offers consistency of strength, is well balanced, is and stays
flat on the back side, and most importantly, plays better than 80% of what most
students live with day in and day out, they could be a substantial upgrade for
most single reed players.

Joe Ramirez wrote:

> devans6896@-----.com (DEvans6896) wrote:
>
> >If this subj. has already been dealt with I apologize. Has anyone tried Legere
> >synthetic reeds? What do you think? Compared to Fibercell? I'm willing to
> >try them BUT I can't find them in stock anywhere.
> >Thanks
> >Dave Evans
> >DEvans6896@-----.com (Dave E)

>
> In general, I would say that it is no longer possible for a
> saxophonist or clarinetist to declare, "Some synthetic reeds are OK,
> but you can't beat natural cane!" Both Legeres and Fibracells are
> good enough that, for some players, they *will* beat cane, or at least
> match it. It depends on your mouthpiece, playing style, and tonal
> preference. If you have any interest at all in the convenience of
> synth reeds, IMO you must try both of these brands (in different
> strengths of each) before deciding that cane still reigns.
>
> Joe Ramirez

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