 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: beavertoof
Date: 2005-05-02 15:59
These reeds have probably already been discussed here before, but I just got 3 of them and wanted to post my thoughts and see what others think too...
Last week I got 3...1 student 2.5, one 'pro' 2.25 and 1 pro 2.5...(I have been using rr 2.5-3 and vand. 3's). I (attempt) to play klez. and swing mostly, and use a V. B40 mp.
Since I *hate* dealing with cane reeds, I somewhat reluctantly decided to try these, even though I had it in my head I would hate them, so far it has been the opposite, as I like them alot, but not sure yet if it will become my reed of choice.
Initially I put it on (the 'student'), zero wetting, burnishing etc...expected to not get a sound out of it, but to my surprise it played like a dream immediately.
The tone was the big surpise...I imagined it would be bright, or buzzy...but it is very mellow... much more so than the cane Rico and V. I have been using.
Some notes on my cl. now seem much more strong and full sounding, yet others seem a little weaker, and flatter...mostly the throat-ers...but it is not a radical diff...just a bit, which I think will clear up as I use it more.
The 'pro' reed does seem a bit better than the student, but at this point it is hard to tell how much better it is/isn't...the pro surprisingly seems much brighter than the student reed.
The tone in general is very good, to me anyway...but somehow different than cane reed, that is hard to describe.
Looking forward to hearing from anyone else who has used them.
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Author: Mike Blinn
Date: 2005-05-02 16:19
When I ordered my first bass clarinet last month, I also purchased #3 reeds from Vandoren and Rico Grand Concert Select, as well as a Legere bass clarinet #3 1/4 (plastic).
I am learning to play this instrument (after playing B Flat Soprano for many years), and I am getting better every time I play. I'll be playing the bass clarinet tomorrow for the first time in concert with my band.
I feel that the wood reeds have a much nicer sound and greater projection than the Legere. However, the Vandoren and the Grand Concert do not give me as much confidence as the plastic reed. They can squeek and chirp at the most inopportune times, while the Legere is predictable in its response.
Until I can master the wooden reeds, I have to play the Legere when it matters most.
Michael Blinn
Middletown Symphonic Band
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Author: mkybrain
Date: 2005-05-03 13:03
Mine are bright and buzzy. On one mouthpiece they aren't as bad, but still horrible. I tried regular and quebec cut. Just didn't work more me, even though i really wanted them to.
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Author: jim S.
Date: 2005-05-03 15:26
Though some users have said Legere's seem softer, I have found them stiffer. I use Gonzalez 3 3/4 and find the Legere 3 1/2 (that I bought a year or so ago) to be decidedly stiffer, even after working on it with the ATG system routine. They may have adjusted their rating system since or had a bad batch, I suppose. Or, perhaps, the reeds are unusually sensitive to the particular mouthpiece's lay. It would be wise to take advantage of their return policy immediately if the stiffnes doesn't seem right. Warming them up thoroughly is also said to be important, though I haven't noticed this as being a noticeable factor.
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Author: BassetHorn
Date: 2005-05-03 15:46
I have only had them for my contrabasses. My impression is that they feel funny first but the awkwardness went away soon after. The strengths compare about the same as the Vandoren.
I am not great at working reeds, and I am lazy too, so the warp-free Legere offers great advantages. I just wet it a bit and slap it on the MP and it plays responsively immediately.
This greatly helps me as I play both size contras and the cane reeds dry and warp during non-plays and always wreck my nerves at rehearsals and performances. This headache has all gone away since I tried and used Legere.
The contra Legeres I find require firmer embouchure control at the sides, and also greater abdominal air support for proper voicing. I also find I can achieve greater volume control and cleaner articulation. The sound is darker, which I like, but a little less colourful of course. I can live with the compromise.
Consistency wise, there is certainly quality variation from reed to reed, but the variance is much much smaller and acceptable than cane reeds. I can live with that.
The Legere contra reeds come in two sizes: Eb and Bb. Eb is for the Selmer (France + USA) Eb and the Vito Eb (I think...), and the Bb is for the Selmer France Bb and all the Leblanc horns (France + USA). Someone had told me that the Buffet Eb contrabass takes a regular bass clarinet mouthpiece, can anyone confirm?
Willy
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