 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2009-11-12 14:58
Hi All:
To answer many of your personal emails to me, here it what I have personally found while using both the new synthetic Legere Signature and the Forestone reeds:
I did receive a selection of reeds from Forestone, which was very kind of them to send. They did not work for me in any of my many applications; commercial, B'way, or symphonic. So I thanked them and gave the reeds to some interested friends & students. They don't seem to work for many here in NYC.
That said, I don't believe the Forestone reed is a bad product. It is one of many "experiments" in finding a replacements/improvement for our dwindling supply of cane reeds. I believe within a very short time, synthetic reeds will be widely used by most younger players, and even accepted by some older players.
The synthetic reeds are different, and respond differently than cane reeds. They take some getting use to. There is about a month "break in" time where they start to feel right & play consistently great. With patience, I believe they can work as well, if not better, than your average cane reed.
The Legere reed is by far the best synthetic reed I have ever played (and I've tried them all over the years) from FiberCane to FiberCell, Bari to Selmer Plastic Coated, etc. The people at Legere listen to professional players suggestions and have consistently improved their reeds over the past few years. Their new Signature reed is their finest example of those improvements, and they are terrific!
In NYC I am called upon to play many different styles of music in many different venues, so a flexible reed is essential. Before I began to use my new Signature Legere reeds, I was forced to constantly change my reeds day to day, to sound good at each venue. The few Legere reeds I regularly use now satisfy all my musical requirements, and are not affected by temperature, humidity, smoke, or any adverse conditions that had previously affected my best cane reeds. So I am now using my Legere reeds exclusively on all my horns. At WICKED on Broadway I use Legere reeds on my Bb, Eb, and Bass Clarinets & Soprano Sax. At the NY Pops at Carnegie Hall, I'll be using a Legere on my Alto Sax also on November 20th.
So to answer your questions; yes, I think the new synthetic reeds will be the reeds of the future, and Legere is the leader of the industry, IMHO. The other synthetic reed makers have their following, but I personally prefer the Legere Signature series reeds for right now. I hope to work with Guy & Helene Legere and Peter Randell & Tim Elvy at Legere in Canada to further develop their fine products.
Thanks for your interest in my opinion, I hope I've helped.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: mrn
Date: 2009-11-12 18:10
Thanks for the review, John. I have a few questions for you, if you don't mind.
What kind of mouthpiece do you play on (for your Bb clarinet)?
When/if you do play on cane reeds, what brand/variety (or type of design) do you use?
Also, I've tried the Legere Quebec before and didn't care for it--I think it may have just not been a good match for my mouthpiece. I'm curious as to what the differences are (like vamp length, reed width, etc.) between that and the new Signature reeds.
The reason why I'm asking is that I'm trying to get some idea if these reeds will better match my mouthpiece than the Quebec did or if I should try a different variety first (like Ontario, which I have not tried). I have a medium facing-length mouthpiece, and I have discovered that it plays best with reeds that have an average-to-short vamp length (like Grand Concert Evolution).
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Author: mrn
Date: 2009-11-12 22:54
DavidBlumberg wrote:
> I tried both, still don't think they hold a candle to a
> Reserve.
Maybe not, and I'm not sure I'm ready to give up cane reeds yet anyway, but there are some times where a decent synthetic reed would come in handy--when you don't want to wear our your good cane reeds practicing, when you're pressed for time and can't find a cane reed you like, when the weather changes suddenly and none of your good cane reeds work anymore, when the box of reeds you ordered goes on back-order, etc.
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Author: FDF
Date: 2009-11-12 23:24
The part of John's statement that I wonder about is "our dwindling supply of cane reeds."
Arundo donax is considered an invasive species, and Wikipedia says, "It is among the fastest growing terrestrial plants in the world (nearly 10 cm/ day; Dudley, 2000). To present knowledge Arundo does not provide any food sources or nesting habitats for wildlife. This results in resources provided by the crowded-out native plants not being replaced by the Arundo (Bell 1997; Mackenzie 2004)."
Perhaps, the supply in southern France is dwindling, I don't know, but as a plant there many places that will have adequate and perhaps superior growing conditions. Hence, why the dwindling supply?
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Author: Justin Willsey ★2017
Date: 2009-11-13 04:27
Does anyone know of any online retailers that currently have the Signatures in stock? A lot of them seem to be out at the moment. I'm interested in sizes 3.5 to 4. Thanks!
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Author: vjoet
Date: 2009-11-13 14:47
John,
I agree with your opinion on the Signature reeds 100%. They are positively wonderful. It took me no time at all to get accustomed to them, and they last and last. I have 6 in rotation, and play a different one every day. Last month did The Producers, currently doing King and I, and next month Big the Musical. No deterioration in them at all.
I use the 2 3/4 strength on a Portnoy BP02 mouthpiece. Excellent response, wide range of tone colors, easy articulation.
John, I note you are credited on the CD for Big. What book did you play?
Vann Turner
(amateur)
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Author: mrn
Date: 2009-11-13 16:33
I noticed Frederic Weiner (http://www.weinermusic.com) carries them with strengths ranging from 2.5 to 3.75. I wonder how the strengths of these reeds compare to other brands/varieties (because they're not on Legere's reed comparison chart yet).
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Author: William
Date: 2009-11-13 16:46
I have been playing Forestone #4 reeds since last March with very good results and positive reviews from colleages on my "sound"--one especially after two performances of Peter & the Wolf with our BJSO last May from our hard- to-please concertmaster. My mouthpiece is a vintage Chicago Kaspar and my clarinets, R13's. I have tried those same Forestone 4's on some other mouthpieces that I own--Greg Smith & Hawkins, etc--and they have not played as well--but still better than comparable Legeres. I agree with JJM that the synthetic reed is the future for all clarinetists, however, the magic formula has not yet been discovered by Legere or Forestone. But for me, Forestone has come close--and not having to deal with the inconsistancies and hassels of cane has made *close*, close enough for me (for now). Besides, now living on retirement, I can't afford to spend $80 to find four good V12's that might last three weeks and then die in the middle of an important gig. FWIW, it is now Novemeber, and my "P & the W" Forestone from last May is still capable of chasing that cat up the tree. In fact, if you're in Beloit tonight, you will be able to hear it playing a rehearsal of Tschaikowsky's 5th. Synthetic reeds do out-last cane--maybe we can al least all agree on that :>)
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2009-11-13 16:50
Thanks for all your varied responses. If you try the Legere reeds and like them, then I've done some good in introducing you to a new and fine product.
To answer mrn, I only use the Legere Signature Series on my Bb/A clarinets. They do not as yet make the Signatures for any of my other horns.
On Clarinet, I'm finding the #3.75 work great on my new Clark Fobes 2L facing mpc. You can always send back a reed to Legere if it's the wrong strength, so give it a shot.
The other models of Legere reeds don't work for me, but others love them. Try some of their new Signatures. I'll think you'll find a real improvement over the other models. And, do they hold a candle to cane reeds?...no, cane reeds burn longer! (joke)
Hi vjoet, I played Clarinet on the movie soundtrack for BIG, and Clarinet, Bass Clarinet & Sax on the Broadway show BIG. We did CDs for both??
I wish all of you good luck with your search for the perfect reed.
BTW: I played on a Legere Signature on the new movie just out starring Matt Damon called, "THE INFORMANT!" Give it a listen.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: Justin Willsey ★2017
Date: 2009-11-13 22:56
I have ordered a 3.75 Signature from Weiner but it's back ordered. Looks like many sizes are also out of stock at Woodwind Brasswind. I'd like to try more of these reeds but would like to avoid ordering direct from Legere, as the price is about $10 more per reed.
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Author: mrn
Date: 2009-11-14 02:19
John J. Moses wrote:
<<To answer mrn, I only use the Legere Signature Series on my Bb/A clarinets. They do not as yet make the Signatures for any of my other horns.
On Clarinet, I'm finding the #3.75 work great on my new Clark Fobes 2L facing mpc. You can always send back a reed to Legere if it's the wrong strength, so give it a shot.>>
Thanks! I will.
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Author: William
Date: 2009-11-14 14:43
"You can always send back a reed to Legere if it's the wrong strength"
It takes a bit of time for transit, but Legere has always been good to me regarding reed swaps. I suggested to Lars H at Forestone that they offer a similar replacement policy as their reeds are sooo expensive but the suggestion was not acceptable. For me, Forestones play better than Legere (after you find the right one for your mpc), but Legere is very much more customer friendly. Now, if the folks at Vandoran & Rico would offer replacements for cane reeds DOA in the box, wouldn't that be nice???
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-11-14 15:26
We visited a museum if Florida this summer where they have a wall of Arundo donax and they said on our tour of the gardens that it grows one foot a day, that's one foot not inch. They have to cut it down every week to ten days. I'm sure they don't make reeds from it but it's in the same family. I don't think we'll run out of reed cane anytime soon. It's the quality we have to be concerned about but it's now being grown in many places around the world for reed making so I'm not going to loss any sleep over it. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: justme
Date: 2009-11-15 01:16
This is a rather strange post to me as in the older posts regarding legere and forestone, the opposite seemed to be true...
Of all of the posts on this board and others it seems that legere was the one that was very picky regarding the mouthpiece, with many people having to change their mouthpieces ( and some mouthpiece makers modifying their mouthpieces to make them "legere friendly"), whereas the forestones were "mouthpiece friendly" and the people using them just kept their normal mouthpieces.
I know that many prefer the forestone for both consistency and being mouthpiece friendly.
Sherman Friedland ( whom I respect greatly) has several short articles on his web page about forestones and legeres and why he prefers the forestones.
Here are the articles if anyone is interested:
http://clarinetcorner.wordpress.com/?s=+Legere+
Just Me
http://woodwindforum.ning.com/
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2009-11-15 01:22
justme wrote:
>
> This is a rather strange post to me as in the older posts
> regarding legere and forestone, the opposite seemed to be
> true...
Which just goes to show ... each person is different. And it costs money to find out.
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Author: Dileep Gangolli
Date: 2009-11-16 00:07
I enjoy my Legere Signature.
I have been playing the same one for two months now including a performance of Mahler 9 with the CSO at Ravinia. They certainly are better than 95% of cane reeds out of the box. That's including all brands.
That said, I still think that a really good cane reed plays better than a Legere.
And Arundo Donax (cane) is easy to grow, reaches maturity relatively quickly, and as it has been said, can now be grown in many parts of the world. It is more like a weed than a tree.
When the Chinese actually put their mind to it, and figure out that there is good money to be made selling reeds to dumb Americans and Europeans, the price of reeds will come down. Dramatically.
If the French (specifically VD) do not get their act together, and if the Rico people do not start giving people a price point for a good product that truly represents good value to the working musician, then a Chinese firm will come in and take over market share.
Its just a matter of time.
And if the dollar has any value at that time (assuming America has not been annexed by China), I will whole-heartedly support this changing of the guard. We, as clarinetists and consumers, have been hoodwinked far too long to accept the reed quality that we currently surrender to.
In my mind the Legere Signature represents great value. I can save a great deal of money on reeds and get a good result.
I did not have luck with the Forestones and their numbering system set them back quite a bit. Not sure why they did it the way they did when they started out. And if they want to capture American market share, they need to have a US distributor and a "hitter" who can endorse their product and back it up with their playing.
And for a doubler, the synthetic reed is a godsend. Legere needs to get their Bb soprano Signature result now for the other horns, which it has not been able to do yet.
As the old Chinese saying goes:
"May you live in interesting times..."
Post Edited (2009-11-16 00:09)
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Author: OldClarinetGuy
Date: 2009-11-16 00:40
I would like to try Forestone but because of their no return policy I think it is difficult to justify possibly spending $85 or more to find the right reed strength .
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2009-11-17 16:24
I've heard that Signature tenor saxophone reeds may soon be available. When I'm able to try the reed I'll post a message on the forum. It appears that Signature alto saxophone reeds will be later.
I recently discovered that Legere has made some improvements to their standard saxophone reeds. The packaging is the same as before. However, the back of the reed has a similar dotted or diamond pattern as the Signature clarinet reed. I've only seen this pattern on alto and tenor saxophone reeds at my local music shop. However, I've heard that Legere has made similar improvements in their reeds for other instruments.
My experience with the "improved" Legere alto saxophone reeds has been extremely positive. I was having problems with some Legere reeds being on the stuffy side on my alto set up. However, with the latest Legere alto reeds response, tonal quality, and projection are noticably better. I had become frustrated to the point of starting to try cane reeds again on alto. However, the improved Legere saxophone reeds are working so well for me that I've laid aside the cane reeds.
PS, Being a big Quebec reed fan on clarinet, I can't wait to get my hands on some Quebec reeds with the pattern on the back of the reed to see how they compare to my Quebec performance reeds.
Roger
http://www.amc.net/RogerMAldridge
Post Edited (2009-11-17 20:13)
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