 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jacoblikesmusic
Date: 2010-04-10 04:42
(I'm try the signature series). Has anyone experienced any problems in the altissimo register with the signatures? It seems a lot harder to get the altissimo reg to come out right on legere compared to cane. It squeeks whenever slurring in altissimo. It also squeeks almost always when going from the clarion to altissimo and altissimo to clarion. Does that mean there's something wrong with the reed, something that isn't compatible with my set-up, or is it something that once I play long enough it'll get better?
A few side questions.
How do you make a ligature work with the reed if the ligature when screwed tight doesn't hold the reed in place?
What are the main differences noticed between cane and synthetic? I notice my glissandos play better now =).
Post Edited (2010-04-12 05:20)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2010-04-10 08:50
Signatures seem to work OK for me. I have to blow a little harder, but the tone is more consistent. Well worth the little extra effort.
Tony F.
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2010-04-10 13:32
The signature legeres are considerably thinner at the heel and their slipperiness makes them prone to moving around a lot.
I can use a bonade inverted pretty well with them, but I'm sure that a rovner or other fabric ligature that has a better hold would keep them in place better.
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Author: CWH
Date: 2010-04-10 14:37
Good Morning, I too had a similar issue when trying to achieve desired sound quality in the altissimo registry with the Legere Signature Series reeds (LSS). My initial setup when working with the LSS reeds was; Eddie Daniels mouthpiece (ED1) with has a tip opening of 1.04, Vandoren Optimum ligature and 3.75 LSS reed. With much experimentation in reed hardness (I'm now using 3.5) and switching to a Vandoren 15M mouthpiece. I can now report that all is right in the universe. The slight change in tip opening to 1.035 and the subtle change in reed hardness has made all the difference. Further, the LSS reed appears to have a slight break-in period, no more than a few hours. Following this slight break-in period is a product that produces a wonderful sound color and clarity.
I have to tell you that, these new reeds now allow me to concentrate on the art of playing. For that, I’m Legeres’ newest advocate.
Check out this link
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=321967&t=321967
Study, Practice, Play and Enjoy.
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Author: Phurster
Date: 2010-04-12 07:55
I only have one legere reed, a quebec cut. It plays consistently at a reasonable level. I find it useful to practise on first thing in the morning... I appreciate the qualities of cane more later in the day.
People listening to me have given the sound very good reviews. When I listen to myself I am not completely convinced. I still play on cane when I perform.
The reed comes into its own when the humidity is hot and day and/or the acoustics are dead. In this situation the legere might save the day.
Two small problems:
1. The reed seems to react to subtle voicing and intonation changes more than a cane reed. g,f,e at the bottom of the stave come out slightly flatter than you would expect. Some of the clarion register seem to come out a fraction sharper.
2. b''' and c''' in the alttissimo are much harder to get. Maybe a harder reed would solve this problem.
Chris Ondaatje.
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Author: William
Date: 2010-04-12 14:15
I have a drawer full of Legere's, and if I had to pick any model to play, I would choose the trads, or originals. The Sigs just do not perform well for me--and I've tried them on a variety of mouthpiecies. The problem with all the Legere's, for me, is primarily the sound, which I perceive to be dull with a "thuddy" articulation. I can usually tell if someone is playing a Legere from the sound alone--I do not like it. I much prefer the new Forestone reed's sound and articulation--and I am using them on my Chicago Kaspar mouthpiece full time in all venues. However, the problem with tone production in the altissimo remains to be somewhat an issue with all synthetic reeds. Cane plays more uniformly in the extended registers, but I do have good success with my Forestones (especially the newer models just out) when I give care to proper breath support and voicing. Given the consistancy of Forestones regarding tone quality and articulation, as compared to the constant struggle with cane, I have discontinued using V12's completely on clarinet. I have also started using the new Forestone sax reeds as they are absolutely amazing and I predict that they will replace many cane and Legere sax reed products as they become more well known. To try them, for me, is to love them.
However, bottom line, your observation with the altissimo IS a problem with all synthetic reeds. You just have to learn, as with cane, how to successfully deal with it. It's like Dr William Stubbins used to scream at his U of Michigan clarinet students, "PLAY THE REED--DON'T LET THE REED PLAY YOU". (imho--Forestones make that easier)
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Author: Dileep Gangolli
Date: 2010-04-12 22:48
I have enjoyed playing on the Signature....I like the response and the sound. Better than 90% of VD out of the box.
However, I agree with you.....I have encountered the same problems you describe:
1) The blank is too thin and a normal ligature does not hold the reed tightly. For a pro player, this is an issue, esp in a quick switch from Bb to A. They need to improve this element of the reed without compromising response.
2) I also have found that the fulcrum of the reed (with relation to the break of the curve of the mpc (I tend to play a 34 break (Eric Brand measurements) does not allow for getting the high notes of the altissimo.
As an orchestral musician, seldom are you required to play above an altissimo G so this is not really a problem.
However, if one has to on occasion due to solo or contemporary music, you would have to play on a cane reed that responds well in this register.
Each year Legere makes improvements and they get better. I play on them frequently and sleep better having them in my reed case.
They still have t a ways to go, but they will get there I am sure.
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Author: CWH
Date: 2010-04-13 00:16
For a very short time during this experimentation time, I tried the Rovner Dark and MKIII. In short, the sound in my opinion was as you say muffled. Conversely, I found that the Vandoren Optimum produced better sound quality and allowed greater responsiveness.
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