 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2001-02-03 05:56
I just tried several Legere reeds for the first time. On the Bb clarinets they played with good tone and quick response, but they played flatter than a cane reed would. On my Bundy, which plays sharp, the flat reed was an improvement. On the Buffet, which plays in tune when I play nearly as sharp as I can, the Legere reed was too flat to be likeable. On the bass the Legere reed had a harsh sound that I didn't care for. Does this correspond to anyone else's experience?
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Author: Lynne
Date: 2001-02-03 08:36
I have to agree with you Ken. I've waited months to get my hands on a Legere reed here in the UK, and eventually got one for my clarinet and my alto sax. On alto, the tuning isn't too bad and I really like the reed. I will definately use Legere's for my sax playing. I do a lot of doubling etc, and these will be invaluable. On clarinet it's a different story. My Buffet R13 is always a little under with tuning till it's warmed up. Using my Legere reed it's about a semitone out! I had a rehearsal yesterday at school with some of my pupils, and I had to swap back to my old faithful Vandoren cane reed. Perhaps the strength is too soft for me......
I await with interest other views on this. Anyone know if Legere do baritone sax reeds?
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-02-03 10:33
The Bari sax reed was overdue this past Fall.
Have either of you actually put the reed to a tuner test?
These have a slightly different tonal character from my V12 standard, but hardly play flat for me.
I don't play mine constantly, but use it when no piece of cane is responding well, usually when the humidity has rapidly changed.
I also find more moisture infiltration between the reed and table leaves the reed a little wild. A wedge of Coffee filter paper is handy to "Dress" things up.
anji
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2001-02-03 15:45
(response to Anji) Subjectively, I noticed I was flat when attempting to play along with a recording. I wasn't as much as a semitone flat, because then I could have played in the next key down. I was right in between, and couldn't find notes at all. Then I checked with the tuner, and I was flat. I went to a cane reed, and was sharper. I thoroughly warmed the horn up until I was easily playing in tune with the cane reed, then switched to the Legere. At that point the Legere could be lipped into tune, but it was an extra effort--an effort I didn't have to make with the cane reed. My Bundy horn plays sharp, and I always have to pull it way out to make it work. The Legere reed improved that horn a lot.
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Author: Ginny
Date: 2001-02-03 17:04
I stopped using my Legere reeds, mostly because they seem to have a wolf tone on long B (over the first break.) I am able to get a better tone out of most any of my VD reeds, and they seem more consistent over the clarinet. That is to say they less variation in tone from note to note. I did not notice flatness particularly. Maybe you have the wrong strenght? I've heard they are different than VDs.
Now I just sand a little and play on what ever comes up. Sometimes I think I am the only non-fan of plastic reeds on this BB.
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Author: Meri
Date: 2001-02-04 21:29
If they do play flatter, then it certainly helps me avoid the possibility of tuning rings, since I normally tend to be quite sharp.
But I find they enhance my sound quality overall.
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