 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-12-06 13:11
One of my students asked me if I knew the differences in the 3 types of Legere clarinet reeds (Regular, Quebec, Ontario). Other than their written descriptions on the websites, I have no other knowledge.
The only Legere reed which I have experience with is the tenor sax Studio Cut, which I do like.
Could anyone (who has tried all 3 types of Legere clarinet reeds) compare the differences?
...GBK
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Author: William
Date: 2008-12-06 14:36
I've tried all three--Ontario, Quebec & Regular--on my Chicago Kaspar #14 mpc and prefer the regular over the other two. Ontario & Quebec seem weaker and similar in tone quality and response. On my mpc, they both produce a harsh, hollow sound that I do not like. The regular produces a somewhat richer sound and behaves more like cane, which I prefer over the Legeres. I do use a Legere #3.0 regular during some practice sessions just to maintain my perspective of reed strength as they are quite consistant and do not rapidly grow soft with use. They do respond well over the entire range of my clarinet, but do not produce the kind of sound I would like for serious performance. Yet, when I have used them for symphony rehearsal and pit orchestra stuff, none of the other players around me seem to notice (hmmmmm). Anyhow, I do. Bottom line: as for Legere reeds on my soprano clarinet Kaspar, I prefer the regular cut--but really prefer a decent V12 (that is, when I can find one anymore).
My guess is that the Quebec & Ontario would work better with a shorter lay than on my Kaspar.
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Author: Merlin_Williams
Date: 2008-12-06 16:41
There's actually four types to my knowledge. I have a Legere German cut reed around here somewhere.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-12-06 18:37
I have used the Standard and the Quebec cuts on my Grabner K13, and have seen the opposite results from what William reported. THe standard was overly bright and harsh, but the Quebec cut gave me a richer and fuller sound, more in keeping with the acoustic image I had envisioned for my playing (if that makes sense).
Edit: I probably should have mentioned that I am also using a VD Klassik string ligature with the setup, similar to Roger's setup in the post below. I am also using a new Gregory Smith Chedeville style mouthpiece, and haven't tried this one yeet with the Legeres, as he said his mouthpieces were specifically designed to work best with V12 3.5 reeds. I will have to try them soon on the Smith.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2008-12-07 01:23)
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Author: Dileep Gangolli
Date: 2008-12-06 22:30
I have played the Legere Quebec off and on.
There are some pluses:
+ consistent (you always know what you are getting)....but I still soak it in my mouth.....old habits die hard!
+ well manufactured
+ tempertuare resistant so not an issue in the climate of Chicago.
+ long lasting ( 2-6 months)
Here is what I do not like:
- what you get is what you get....no room to work on the reed. It either plays or it doesnt. And I have spent a good deal of money on getting what I want. Usually between 5 - 8 reeds.
- price may actually be equivalent than VD or commercial reeds. I still believe that the way to save money is making reeds.
- I have found the sound to be harsh at times. The flexibility and response, while very good, are not the same as cane.
I also have played rehearsals, concerts, and even a recording session on Crystal Records (Reicha Quintets) with a Legere reed. But I am back to cane. I do however, carry Legere reeds as a back up.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2008-12-07 01:01
GBK,
I've tried all 4 kinds of Legere soprano clarinet reeds (including German).
Hands down, I prefer the Quebec. In fact, I even prefer Quebec to cane reeds -- such as V12, Black Master, etc -- whenever I get an itch to use cane again. In my experience, Quebec has a greater degree of resonance and warmth -- with a thicker tonal core -- than what I get with the Legere regular or Ontario cuts.
For whatever reason, I do not like the regular Legere reed at all on soprano clarinet. I'm not happy with the quality of sound I get with it. I suspect that part of this may be due to the fact that I really love thick-cut reeds. Thus, whenever I try a different cut -- that's not a thick-cut profile -- it doesn't seem quite right to me.
The Ontario is a fine reed. I think it's an improvement over the regular Legere. I have several Ontario reeds. On occassion I'll give them a try again. It may be that I've used Quebec so much and feel that it's such a good match for my tonal conception that when I try Ontario it seems to me that something is missing from my sound.
I should mention that I use Quebec reeds with a Walter Grabner K14 and a Klassik string ligature as my principal set up. On my backup clarinets I use Grabner K13 and K11e pieces...also with Quebec.
On tenor saxophone I use the Legere regular cut. I tried the Studio but I found it way too bright and buzzy....also, not enough resistance. I get excellent results with regular Legere reeds on my Morgan 6C mouthpiece.
I also get excellent results with the Legere bass clarinet reed on my Grabner LB mouthpiece.
As I've mentioned on other threads, Legere reeds do not work well on some mouthpiece facings and with some ligatures. However, when one has carefully matched together a set up that enables Legere to perform as they were meant to the reeds have a stunningly beautiful sound.
I've found the Optimum ligature (with plate #1) to work superbly with Legere reeds. It's what I use on tenor saxophone and bass clarinet. However, I found that I prefer the Klassik string ligature on soprano clarinet with my Quebec & Grabner set up.
Hope this helps, Roger
Post Edited (2008-12-07 01:10)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-12-07 01:40
Roger Aldridge wrote:
> Hope this helps, Roger
Yes, it was very helpful. Thanks...GBK
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Author: William
Date: 2008-12-07 15:49
"And I have spent a good deal of money on getting what I want. Usually between 5 - 8 reeds."
One of the advantages of the Legere reed is the guarantee for a replacement free of charge if the reed does not play for you. As stated on the package, just send it back to Guy with a sales receipt and he will send you a new reed--simple as that.
FWIW department: A regular cut Legere #3.0 is my reed of choice for my bass clarinet, either with my Pomarico Jazz * or Grabner CXBS mpc.
Post Edited (2008-12-07 15:55)
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