 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jamie Talbot
Date: 2002-11-09 08:41
Has anybody had good results using Fibrecell,Leggiere or Bari reeds
on the clarinet?I know a few who use them on the sax and sound good
but am yet to be convinced of their compatability on the clarinet.
Jamie Talbot
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Author: Emo
Date: 2002-11-09 10:03
I only play Fibracell reeds on clarinet. They're the most consistent reeds I've ever played. I can slap on a new reed and be confident that it will play fine. Fibracell reeds have increased my enjoyment of playing by lowering the anxiety of wondering whether I'll have a playable reed for the next gig. Even if you decide you prefer other reeds, you might still want to keep a Fibracell handy for practice sessions or as emergency back-up.
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2002-11-09 13:17
Hi Jamie:
I worked a few years ago with Dave Shaffer on his Fibercell reeds.
I think we achieved some real success with the clainet & bass clarinet version of his synthetic reeds. The vamp is quite long, but that is why it plays better than most synthetic reeds. It is, for me, the most reliable back-up reed available.
As EMO says, "you might still want to keep a Fibracell handy for practice sessions or as emergency back-up."
I think he's right, but you might just like one enough to use it as your first line reed!
Good luck,
JJM
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-11-09 14:04
The Legere reeds get my 'wallet vote'.
They have a liberal exchange policy, so that you may get the proper strength to fit your preference.
I find the Fibracell to be edgier, with a sharper attack, but the Legere is beefier in the lower tones.
The Legere gives me a full sound.
One of either should outlast 10 pieces of natural cane.
If you're a doubler, these things are terrific.
Muncy Winds sells both, I believe.
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2002-11-09 14:16
I had three Legere that I played on for about 6 months. Then they all died togeather. i went back to cane.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-11-09 14:51
I frequently use a Legere on my bass clarinet (mostly out doors concerts), but in order produce the best sound that I can, I still need to resort to my cane reeds. I have never found a synthetic reed that plays with a full, focused sound throughout the full range of my soprano clarinets. But I wish that I could--it would save lottsa bucks and eliminate lottsa cane hassels.
BTW--Larry Combs used a Legere reed for the demo part of his most recent clinic at IMS and sounded "ok." Asked about the reed, he said that "it is nice to know that you always have a reed in your case that works--but I would never use it with the symphony." (Larry Combs is Principal Clarinet with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, for those of you that "don't get out much")
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Author: Jean
Date: 2002-11-09 14:52
The bari brand aren't so great, however, in an emergency I have slapped one on my bass clarinet. The are very bright sounding.
Jean
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-11-09 15:42
As I've mentioned before, I use Legeres a lot. When teaching, it's great to have a reed you can just pick up and play and not have to worry about it drying out. I've been playing them in public too, because I'm just about the laziest clarinetist you'll ever meet. I really don't have whatever it takes to fuss with cane all the time.
And when I was in Bulgaria last year, I brought my clarinet teacher there a couple of Legeres. I brought 2-1/2's cause that's the softest I could find. This guy usually plays Rico Plasticover 1-1/2's, so he was frustrated because the Legeres were too hard, but he DID like the sound. That's what these Bulgarian folk players want...something bright and "shiny"! I did end up shaving down the reeds for him though...
One note of caution though: Legeres like to get REALLY spitty! I assume it's because they can't absorb moisture like cane does.
Katrina
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2002-11-09 18:13
i had my legere reed for about a year and a half before i took a liking to it. would try it every so often - nope - just not like real reeds. i put it away for a realll long time but recently pulled it back out becuz all my reeds were dead (vandoren V12's) and i wasnt going to be able to order more in time. Surprise! i dont know why i like it now. but i do. i like it a lot. maybe the quality of the V12's have gone down so much. not sure, but i havent been able to find a real reed that works any better lately. ive been playing on it for 3 weeks or so now. other people say it sounds good too. infact, i hadnt told my clarinet group i was using it - i just did a reed change and when i asked if i sounded okay, they all thot i sounded better. i love the response and the sound i get from it. i used to be in a real frenzy over reeds. obsessed with finding the right one and stressing about it. i feel like i can concentrate better on my music now instead of finding a reed that works. im still using real reeds - breaking some in right now ... but, i am rest assured i always have one to put on without any trouble.
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-11-09 20:11
If you like to use Fibracell (as I do), you may get drowned in comments of how bad they can be. One way to avoid listening to this drivel is to stick it in your mouth and soak it for a bit, just like real cane, before putting it on your mouthpiece. If anyone enquires as to what brand you're using, just mumble a bit (with the Fibracell in your mouth, of course). Nobody will be able to tell any difference by listening to you.
Regards,
John
who occasionally wonders if Larry Combs has tried Fibracell
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Author: tww
Date: 2002-11-09 22:02
Bari are great for marching band. Powerful, bright, and extremely loud. I'd never use one for anything else, though.
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Author: Jamie Talbot
Date: 2002-11-11 16:22
Thanks everyone.
I played fibercell on tenor sax for a while and quite liked it although I went back to cane reeds.They,re probably worth trying on bass clarinet.
I,m sure that it,s like anything to do with playing.Any change will involve a period of adjustment.Maybe I should just be a little more patient and stick things out for bit longer!
Thanks for your constructive comments
Jamie Talbot
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Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2002-11-11 16:54
I have been using Fibercells for a couple of years to play weddings with good success. They are the same at the end of the party as at the beginning (some may say that this is a disadvantage,) and typically last for 10-20 gigs.
The sound is definitely different from cane reeds, and you have to be the judge of this. I can tell the difference, and so can my wife, but nobody else can. Reliability is my prime concern.
If you double, or play theater jobs where you sit for long periods, synthetic reeds have definite advantages.
Regards
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-11-14 18:39
I've said it before and I'll say it again: I've yet to hear ANYONE sound really good on the lower instruments (I'm talking about tenor and bari saxes and bass and contra clarinets) using synthetic reeds of any brand. OK-sounding? Yes. Great doubling/pit band reeds? Yes. Handy backups? Yes. But as the primary reed for symphonic or wind ensemble players, I stick to my guns that cane reeds are still the only means of achieving the best possible sound. Flame away, please!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-11-14 19:41
Dave...No flames from me. I totally agree.
Our orchestral 2nd clarinetist tried using one for a short time. The sound was tough to blend with (actually, very tough).
The synthetic went back into his case an an "emergency only" reed...GBK
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