 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: surferpenguin
Date: 2003-06-27 01:54
Any opinions on synthetic reeds versus "regular" cane reeds? If you prefer one or the other, which brand and size do you use? (I am entering high schhol and I am curious about reed options...I currently use 3.0 Vandorens). Any insight is very much appreciated.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: EEBaum
Date: 2003-06-27 02:07
I'm a staunch traditionalist, I only play cane, as do pretty much all my colleagues/friends. There's a bit of an anti-synthetic feeling in my circles. One friend of mine does admit to having a Legere that he used when playing a gig where he was so close to bright lights that his cane reed was too dry to play.
V12 3.5's for me.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Liesel
Date: 2003-06-27 02:18
I don't like what they do to my tone on clarinet, but sometimes I use Fibracell reeds on tenor sax.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-06-27 02:23
If you may be embarrassed to use a synthetic reed among your purist colleagues, just stick a Fibracell in your mouth for a while before putting it on the mouthpiece. If you make it sound good, no one will know your dirty little secret.
I often use a Fibracell reed. No, I do not think my sound is as good with it as with a fine cane reed. But probably 90% of those who hear me play wouldn't know the difference if I used an old Popsicle stick. And the Fibracell is much more convenient.
I don't know what Eddie Daniels uses in Concert, but when I saw him a few months ago, he left his Clarinet fully assembled through intermission, then returned to pick it up and begin playing with no prep. Looked to me pretty fishy in the cane department. Strongly suggests a synthetic, eh?
Regards,
John
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-06-27 02:59
This thread (or versions thereof) has been done to death over the past two years, but you are "new" here and may not know that. Check it out in the "search" segment of this BB. Try "Legere" or "Fibracell" or "Bari" or etc.,etc. You will find scads of posts.
There are valid reasons for using synthetics (Dave S.. does not like them and would not agree), but I have an RA problem and when playing my bass I use either Fibracall or Legere reeds as my medication dries my mouth up so that I can't even spit. These synthetic have a "bad" side also. Some say the sound is artificial (I wear hearing aids so undoubtedly
can't tell the difference anyway). Also, as they do not soak up spit (can't call it anything else as that is what it is) it can gather behind the reed and cause a fluctuation in sound and can alter placement of the reed.
Sooo-You need to read all the literature available to you on the BB before you post any questions as many of your questions may have already been discussed.
Personally I don't use them on my Bb much as I have not found the right mpc/lig combination that sounds good with them. (That's assuming one would).
Bob A
Post Edited (2003-06-27 03:29)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: leonardA
Date: 2003-06-27 04:53
I have had good luck with Fibracell reeds on my clarinet and alto and tenor sax. They're dependable, and I notice no difference in the tone. It beats wondering what you're going to get when you open a box of ten reeds. The fibracells last a long time too.
Leonard
Leonard
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: theclarinetist
Date: 2003-06-27 05:22
I have used a Legere Reed on many occasions (size 4.5). I like it a lot... the way I think about it is this... The Legere Reed isn't as good as a great cane reed, but it's a LOT better than a not so good cane reed. I don't perform on the synthetic one, but it's nice to keep around and use when I'm not in the mood to fight with 20 reeds before I find one that'll play properly. You say you're entering high school... I imagine a Legere reed (or other good synthetic brand) would be really great for marching band.... no one hears the clarinets anyway, so it's not like any difference it makes (however small) will be a big deal anyway. On the other hand, if you're playing a solo, find a really good cane reed and protect it like theres no tomorrow...
I'm hate the "no synethic reeds, period" point of view. I think it's pretty short-sided. However, I do agree that a great cane reed is much better than a synthetic reed. Both types have their place. Just my opinion
Don
theclarinetist@yahoo.com
PS - I usually play on V12 4.5... i have a really closed mouthpiece, so don't jump to any conclusions! = )
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: pzaur
Date: 2003-06-27 07:13
I actually just tried out my first synthetic reed (fibracell) for clarinet and alto sax. I thought the tone on my sax was good, a little bright, but good. On the clarinet it sounded horrible. It sounded to me like a really bad Rico. Good thing I'm not performing on it, just checking end of the school rental instrument returns.
In regards to the comment about using them on the marching field - I would whole heartedly agree. They don't dry out, chip (unless you really try to chip it), and they sound the same rain or shine.
-- pat
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2003-06-27 11:44
Guess I'll have to try one soon. Everytime I see a post about them I am reminded of the white plastic ones that came out during WWII that I never tried. Excuse my geezer memories but youngsters today may find it amusing that back then we played on the same reed for over a year without the benefit of special knives,trimmers or sandpaper. When a kid got a new reed all the clarinet section would crowd around him to get a look.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-06-27 12:59
I'm a staunch proponent of the Legere reeds, particularly for beginning players and doublers (they are impervious to humidity).
I second Don's opinion that these are a close approximation of good cane.
NOTHING replaces a reed that is properly balanced, well made and handled with care. However, even the best cane will blanch at rapid humidity changes or when left on the mouthpiece to dry.
Remember that the Legere is not indestructible, and is designed to last (roughly) as long as 10 pieces of regular cane.
*****
My only caveat in use as that due to the smooth back of the reed, they may need to be dried off during extensive play sessions. Mine will trap a layer of condensation on the mouthpiece table and become unresponsive after 1 hour of solid playing. Easy enough to dry these and play more!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-06-27 13:34
To set the record straight for Monsieur Arney, although I don't really like the sound or feel of synthetic reeds, I admit that for doubling situations (or outdoor concerts, marching, etc.) the better synthetic reeds have their place --- for example I've been regularly using Legere synthetics on Bb and bass clarinets in a big band in which my primary horns are bari and tenor saxes, because the clarinets just sit there for most of the gig and I don't have time to get their reeds wet so the Legeres are just the ticket. But having said that, I've never cared much for the sound I or anyone else I've heard gets from synthetics and I would never use one in a symphonic/concert situation except in an emergency. Of the synthetics I've tried thus far (Legere, Harry Hartman Fiberreed, Bari, and Fibracell) the only brand that comes close to cane sound and feel is Legere, IMHO. My advice to younger players would still be: learn to break in and work on cane reeds, and come to grips with them, but it doesn't hurt to keep a Legere in the case as a backup.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: robbieg
Date: 2003-06-30 19:22
I've used Legere's before for practice, they have a good sound, but they really don't have the resistance that sometimes I need from a cane reed. They are very free blowing, and sometimes I think they are a bit too much.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
![[up]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley24.gif)
![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif)
n b -