 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2010-01-20 12:30
All:
I have been using the Legere Quebec Cut #3.25 on my Greg Smith Chedeville 1++ (scandalous I know!). I really like the combination overall & the consistency from day to day & week to week is comforting. However, I cannot get this combination to play anything above the altissimo G. It seems the only way I can get the altissimo G#/A to speak is if I slide from the G.
The #3.25 seems to be the perfect Legere for this mpc, for me anyway. I started with #3.5 and reduced to #3.25 & am generally very happy with that selection. I own two of these & they both respond (or don't respond as the case may be) the same.
Note that I can easily play the altissimo G#/A/A# with cane reeds, generally at any volume.
Thoughts?
Thanks,
Matt
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2010-01-20 12:43
Matt,
Interesting problem.
I initially starting using a Legere Quebec 3 last year.
I found it too soft for the most part with the some similar issues as softer cane
But I found altissimmo fairly effortlessly compared to cane and in tune
So I bought a 3.25 and a 3.5
The 3.25 altissimo just wasn't there. It would not speak with ease like the 3.0 (or 3.5) and was far worse than cane in response in the altissimo.
But the 3.5 was once again effortless
I find the Legere great for play testing and in the "doubling" sense when the clarinet sits there for long periods of time in jazz band. But I still prefer cane as cane (Vandoren Traditional 3.5 or 4s) seems to respond just a shade faster with a more full tonal core.
But I'm not giving up my Legeres anytime soon except for maybe the 3.25.
No answer .. but there seems to be a consistent problem in our 3.25 reeds
edited:spelling
==========
Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information
Post Edited (2010-01-20 12:50)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2010-01-20 16:30
Since you're happy with the Legere everywhere except the top 4th of the range, I'd say use it for most of your playing and use a cane reed when you need to play something (critical) above G. How often do you need those notes (it would depend on what kind of playing you do most of the time)? I only use Legers for doubling in a theater pit, so I never have to play that high on them. I use cane reeds for symphony playing.
Another possibility is that different fingerings might speak more easily with the Legere.
Karl
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2010-01-20 17:10
Have you tried the Legere Signature style?
It might work.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: kdk
Date: 2010-01-20 18:52
Allan, I've been planning to try the Signature reeds and your mentioning them sent me looking for them at my favorite supplier. I was a little floored to see that they're $8 more (at a discounted price) than the Quebec and $6 more than the Montreal styles. Do you have an opinion about what's different about them to warrant the steeper price?
Karl
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2010-01-21 17:51
All:
Thanks for the responses. It surprised me to hear that others have been through the same issue. I found the #3.5 to be too stiff but was afraid the #3.0 would be too soft. The #3.25 is "just right" and I don't really want to change. I may need to try an "experiment in terror" & try adjusting the tip a bit. Stay tuned.........
It seems that much of what I play uses these notes.
I thought about trying a Signature reed but the thought of spending > $20 on a single reed leaves a bad taste in my mouth. That seems obscene.
Thanks all,
Matt
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2010-01-21 19:53
Matt:
The "Signature" series is Legere's latest and greatest reed. You must give it a try at the proper strength for you. You can, as I've said often, send it back if it's not right.
I feel the new Legere reeds are far superior to their older name reeds.
You know $20-30 a reed is costly, but students have often told me "I'd pay $100 for a great reed!" So here's your chance, and at a fraction the price!
BTW: Do not adjust the tip or sand or scrape the Legere, they will not allow you to return the used reed if it has been altered in any way.
Good luck,
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2010-01-21 20:12
I agree with John Moses.
To answer the question put to me by kdk, Mr. Krelove:
I did not have success with the other style of Legere reeds, but the Signature played perfectly for me.
FWIW I use a 3.75 on a facing that is akin to an M13Lyre. I alternate between 2 of them, and have done so for the past 4 months.
I have no trouble with producing altissimo notes while using them.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
Post Edited (2010-01-21 20:59)
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2010-01-21 21:06
John:
I am aware I can't return it if I adjust it. I have two Quebecs that I cycle through each time and it would be a fun experiment. I'll consider it a potential sacrifice to the cane gods! Either that or a new & improved reed...
I will lube my wallet squeek & seriously consider the Signature. I hope it cures my issue as I really do enjoy the Legeres. As I said, I love the consistency. I also find that the Legere has a wider tonal range that forces me to pay more attention to my sound. I believe this "feature" has made me a better player.
Thanks,
Matt
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2010-01-21 21:32
I'm sorry if this is somewhat off-topic...
But for those who did exchange their Legere reeds, how long did the exchange take?
I sent mine for an exchange over 2 weeks ago and haven't received reeds back yet. I figured this might be happening because I am shipping to Canada, and there has been some bad weather lately; however, is it normal to have to wait this long for an exchange?
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2010-01-22 12:20
Green:
Mine took about 3 weeks. Yours should be arriving shortly.
MOO,
Matt
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2010-08-05 12:46
All:
A follow-on to this thread.....
I now own the following Legere reeds - 2 Quebec #3.25, 1 Quebec #3, 1 Ontario #3 & a Signature #3. Each of them is a bit different (even the 2 #3.25s) and the Ontario #3 seems to be the stiffest of the bunch but each exhibited the same characteristic inability to consistently play the altissimo above D. After taking lots of time trying to use each one, assuming it was my issue, I finally started thinking I may as well consider it could be the reed.
Each reed that I have has very slight manufacturing defects - a slight nib on the reed tip, a little bit of a sharp corner, a slight burr, etc...... I figured they are my reeds now & I payed a lot of money for them, may as well try to make them work. I also decided that small defects like this would probably affect the higher frequencies considerably more that the other frequencies. I used my ceramic file and VERY VERY CAREFULLY removed each of the defects from one of the reeds. I then tried it and was surprised to find it actually worked much better. I then did the same to another one with the same results.
I now have 3 reeds that seem to play really well, each one having been "adjusted" to remove the defects. The other reeds still have the characteristic altissimo issue. I'm not 100% convinced yet but so far I am extremely pleased with the way the reeds are now playing.
My take on this is, if you have a Legere that you really like but it doesn't play well in the altissimo, look closely at the tip as well as the tip/side rail junction. If there are any variations you may want to try a slight adjustment. Make that VERY SLIGHT. I barely touched the tip when making my adjustments.
Good luck.
MOO,
Matt
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Author: William
Date: 2010-08-05 16:01
FWIW, I've had upper register issues with every Legere reed I've ever played on--Traditional, Quebec or Signiture. They just do not play as well as a good, or even average, Vandoran--or even Rico. However, the Forestone reeds that I have been using for over a year do play well throughout the entire range of my clarinets--excellant response with great tone quality and dynamic expression. Wheither it's the final run of the cat up the tree in Peter & the Wolf or the final high C7 of the Artie Shaw Concerto for Clarinet, all of my Forestone reeds respond easily and consistantly with the focused, yet vibrant tone quality that I need for the music I am playing.
Bottom line: I've spent years coping with the hassels of cane reeds (and finding many great ones to play), gone through a drawer-full of Legeres without finding a single good one (even after many replacements from Guy) and am now totally pleased with the new Forestone reeds from Japan. I do not anticipate ever returning to cane....but most definately, never to Legere.
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