Klarinet Archive - Posting 000290.txt from 2002/03

From: w6w@-----. Wright)
Subj: Re: [kl] Synthetic Reeds
Date: Fri, 15 Mar 2002 12:43:32 -0500

<><> Howard=A0Shapiro wrote:
What are the pros and cons of using a synthetic in place of a wood reed.

Probably you've read the sales pitch that plastic reeds don't dry out,
which means no 'surprises' if you put your instrument down for a few
minutes and then pick it up again, or if you play in different humidity
conditions from one day to the next.

Most of us have tried them. Legere has a good (better?) reputation
among the plastic reeds. The 'feel' of a plastic reed is different
than cane --- reeds are cane, not wood, there's a difference --- but
there's nothing new about reeds feeling different from each other.
Plastic often sounds identical to the audience when someone with
experience is playing them. Larry Combs, for example, endorses them.
I was unaware he was playing one in a concert until he announced the
fact.

They cost more, but they last longer. You cannot adjust them from day
to day, except that you can soften the Legere brand (the softening is
permanent) by dipping them briefly in boiling water. Tone does vary a
bit with temperature.

Using my teacher as an example, she doubles (and triples and quadruples)
during concerts. Legere makes her life easier on those occasions.
But when she is not doubling, she puts the plastic away because cane has
that extra "something special" for her. I have a few Legeres in my
drawer, but I haven't played them for a year or so because I _enjoy_
adjusting reeds to fit my mood.

YMMV.

Cheers,
Bill

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