 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jeff
Date: 2001-01-17 15:17
For those who own a Legere reed, how long can the reed last before the sound starts to deteoriate and becomes unplayable? Will the Legere reed become thinner with constant playing or would it still remain as hard?
My Vandoren 3.5 usually last ard 3 weeks before the tone starts to become thin and I have to start looking for a new reed.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-17 16:49
Jeff wrote:
>
> ... My Vandoren 3.5 usually last ard 3 weeks before the tone starts
> to become thin and I have to start looking for a new reed.
For cane reeds, you need to rotate them not play the same reed all the time. It extends their life considerably. For example rotating 5 reeds might last oh say 20 or 25 weeks rather than the 15 that you might get playing a reed until it dies.
I use a different reed for every practice session. If I put in an usually long session, I will change the reed about 1/2 way through.
Another disadvantage to just using one reed is that you become so used to its characteristics that it makes it very difficult to find a satisfactory replacement as none will be quite the same as that one.
I always have at least 10 reeds in rotation. In addition, I have a backup box of a different strength in case the weather changes and messes me up.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-01-17 18:30
Theoretically the Legere will be playable until the gel matrix breaks down.
This is very unlikely to happen under normal playing conditions. The materials are basically inert and not subject to digestion by saliva.
Exposure to high temperatures and sunlight are the key factors in age related failure in most composites. Mechanical abrasion from sanding or dropping it are the most likely ways to compromise the reed.
I'm guessing, but unless you bite the Legere or otherwise crimp it, there is no expiration date. Not bad for $15!
I especially like mine when the humidity changes or as a constant when something in my playing goes awry.
if you are shopping around, remember that they allow returns to choose a different strength. I believe you are responsible for freight charges.
anji
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-01-18 17:22
Legere reeds don't deteriorate from humidity or the chemical action of saliva, but they do change due to mechanical fatigue from vibrating.
I've been using one for a couple of years on a "spur of the moment" Pedler clarinet I keep assembled on a peg. I keep it clean and the mouthpiece swabbed out, and it's still playing well. It has more resistance now, but the sound is still good -- if anything, "darker" than it originally was.
As with cane reeds, changes are slow, and you can get used to how a reed plays and not notice that it's deteriorating. Certainly the Legere doesn't blow as freely or play as well as it did when new. When new, it responded about the same as cane, and now cane is a good bit better. I haven't tried it recently on my Buffet and best mouthpiece. I should probably get a new Legere....
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-01-18 21:38
Oh yeah,
Once crimped, they don't respond well to heat for a restoring force. So they do require some care in handling.
I used a hair dryer on one (lowest setting) to see if the crimp would flatten.
It melted rather quickly.
Now I know what $15 smells like when you burn it.
anji
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Author: Meri
Date: 2001-01-19 01:15
With almost daily use, I find mine last somewhere around 2 1/2 to 3 months.
But, considering the troubles with cane reeds, and how long they last, it's worth it.
Meri
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