Klarinet Archive - Posting 001146.txt from 2003/04
From: "Bill Semple" <wsemple@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Final Report on the Legere
Date: Sat, 26 Apr 2003 00:48:02 -0400
Thanks, I anticipate your usual thoughtful reply. I suspect one of the
virtues of starting students on cane reeds is that they learn how to deal
with them.
Anyhow, I am interested in your response because I have some early stage
students and recently switched a couple of them to Legeres as a continuing
study in their use.
As for practicing, I just hate to practice on a relative poor reed; and then
using up my good ones because I simply can't tolerate the problems cane can
present. So the Legeres just play. But, then again, practice is not just
"playing," either, is it?
William T. Semple
Office: 202-364-2466
Home: 540-364-4823
Cell: 540-903-6645
----- Original Message -----
From: "Forest E. Aten Jr." <forestaten@-----.com>
Subject: Re: [kl] Final Report on the Legere
> Bill,
>
> When I have time today I want to respond to several interesting issues
> brought to light in this and your following post.
>
> practice reed
> perspective in performance of a reed in various performance situations
> back-up reed
> saving reeds
> student use of Legere reeds
>
> All of interest to me. I'll get to it later.
>
> Regards,
>
> Forest
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bill Semple" <wsemple@-----.com>
> To: <klarinet@-----.org>
> Sent: Thursday, April 24, 2003 6:52 AM
> Subject: Re: [kl] Final Report on the Legere
>
>
> > Thank you for this thoughtful reply. I do not consider my playing is at
> the
> > high level of some on this listserve, but I produce a quality, cultured
> > full-bodied sound, which ironically elicits raves from my jazz
colleagues.
> >
> > I also play chamber music, recitals, wherever, whenever, which is where
> the
> > difference between the Legere and my cane is most pronounced.
> >
> > All I can say, for what is worth, is I have had the identical experience
> as
> > you describe. I like the Legere, but I can't get to the same level of
tone
> I
> > do with my cane. It is a great practice reed; works well as an emergency
> > back-up, because it DOES play; and generally saves one's stock of cane
for
> > more critical work.
> >
> >
> > William T. Semple
> > Office: 202-364-2466
> > Home: 540-364-4823
> > Cell: 540-903-6645
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Forest E. Aten Jr." <forestaten@-----.com>
> > To: <klarinet@-----.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 5:01 PM
> > Subject: Re: [kl] Final Report on the Legere
> >
> >
> > > Bill,
> > >
> > > I know many professionals that have tried the Legere reed and have
> > rejected
> > > the reed, saying that they simply can't get the Legere to produce the
> > > quality of sound that they produce on their cane reeds. I do use the
> > Legere
> > > occasionally for non-critical clinics. (no critical playing involved
> > during
> > > the clinic)
> > > I have found the Legere reed to be as variable as any cane that I've
> > > used.....with the best Legere reed not coming close to my 'middle of
the
> > > road' cane reed.
> > > I think that the Legere has a secure position in the market place but
I
> > feel
> > > that it has yet to reach the point in quality that would satisfy the
> > > majority of professional performers.
> > >
> > > Forest Aten
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Bill Semple" <wsemple@-----.com>
> > > To: <klarinet@-----.org>
> > > Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2003 1:56 PM
> > > Subject: Re: [kl] Final Report on the Legere
> > >
> > >
> > > > I wonder how far the Legere has found its way in professional
circles,
> > and
> > > > its use at that level. They have as part of their web site a
> reference
> > to
> > > > Larry Combs, the CSO principal, who says he uses it when teaching
> > > students.
> > > >
> > > > The perfect Legere. But I couldn't agree more on the intrareed
> > variability
> > > > of cane.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > William T. Semple
> > > > Office: 202-364-2466
> > > > Home: 540-364-4823
> > > > Cell: 540-903-6645
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: "Jeremy A Schiffer" <schiffer@-----.edu>
> > > > To: <klarinet@-----.org>
> > > > Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2003 1:37 PM
> > > > Subject: Re: [kl] Final Report on the Legere
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Oops, I meant to respond to this but missed it. Apparently, it got
> > lost
> > > in
> > > > > the off-topic wars.
> > > > >
> > > > > It is definitely true, in my experience, that the inter-reed
> > variability
> > > > > in Legere's is not much improved from cane. A little bit, but not
> much
> > > > > (well, much better than Vandoren, but not much better than Reeds
> > > > > Australia Vintage or John Denman).
> > > > >
> > > > > The main selling point is the intra-reed variability, which has
been
> > > > > completely eliminated. Once you learn the properties of a given
> reed,
> > it
> > > > > will always play that way, regardless of temperature, humidity,
etc.
> > > > >
> > > > > I think we've all had the experience of working on reeds in the
days
> > > > > before a concert or audition, and having one play perfectly so we
> set
> > it
> > > > > aside, only to pick it back up on the important occassion to find
it
> > > > > didn't play anymore. Eliminating that variability is a godsend, in
> my
> > > > > book, once you find (and hopefully not lose...) the perfect
Legere.
> > > > >
> > > > > -jeremy
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > On Wed, 16 Apr 2003, Bill Semple wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > An interesting comment. It makes them almost as variable as
cane.
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > I wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > > > I have recently switched to Legere, and have found there to be
> > great
> > > > > > > inconsistencies between reeds of the same strength.
> > > > >
> > > >
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