 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Elkwoman46
Date: 2011-10-06 17:43
I have been out of the loop for a while in the clarinet world, so I would like to inquire...many years ago my clarinet teacher was initiating and making a synthetic reed that really looked and felt like a real reed, but it lasted and lasted. I was wondering, what is out there nowadays and pros and cons and is there a website discussing these things? I had bought one from him for something like $7.50, and it was really worth it. This could have been 23 or more years ago.
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-10-06 18:16
There are many synthetic reeds on the market today and they have come a long way from the plastic reed of decades past. Probably the 3 most popular makes of synthetic reeds are Legere, Forestone, and Fibracell. All of them are a bit different and are liked or disliked by different people (pretty much the same can be said of any kind of reed).
I have tried the 3 brands I mentioned and have had somewhat mixed results with them. Personally I think the Forestone reeds are worth trying. I have a couple and like them. I have tried the other brands I mentioned and didn't like them as much.
The main problem with synthetic reeds is the cost. A single synthetic reed costs nearly as much as a whole box of cane reeds. They last a lot longer so this isn't a huge issue, but when you are initially trying them out and need to order reeds in a few different strengths it can become cost prohibitive.
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Author: Elkwoman46
Date: 2011-10-06 19:30
Dear Steve, Thanks so very kindly for the information. I so very much appreciate it. I think what I remember about the one I had was that even soaked it seemed to be consistent in strength, not wimpy. Is that what you experience as well on those you speak of? I do not remember the # on it.
As a side note, some years ago now I was looking on the internet for this teacher who lived far away, but he had passed away years ago, so I have no idea what happened to his exploits in this field of synthetic reeds.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2011-10-06 19:49
I've had good results with the new Forestone brand of synthetic reed. BUT, as SteveG points out, selecting the proper size is a challenge. They run quite soft compared to cane reeds my Vandoren. A 3-3-1/2 Vandoren V12 equates to a 4, 4-1/2 or 5 in a Forestone.
The currently cost bout $26 each, and I can't find the "strength sampler" deal they had a couple of years ago.
I've not tried a Legere recently, and they've advanced since I last bought one; but I didn't get along with them.
Bob Phillips
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2011-10-07 17:57
Lowly intermediate here, but fwiw the Legere Signatures are pretty darn good, and I've found they run about the same as Vandoren V12s so far as sizing goes.
"kdk", who posts here regularly and is very knowledgeable and credible, says he has problems in the altissimo register playing pianissimo with them.
Even I have noticied that I have to "firm up" my embouchure more for the Legeres than for cane when playing softly in the altissimo register, but since I play mostly in a community band (second clarinet), I've yet to play in the highest register.
I still practice some with cane, especially if I'm practicing in the altissimo range.
CarlT
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-10-07 18:18
Thanks for the kind words.
I actually have a comfort issue playing pianissimo on Legeres and Forestones in any pitch range. My issue in altissimo as more with flatness at any dynamic level. Neither of these is a "problem" in an insoluble sense - it's just that the amount of "firming up" I need to do to is more than I want to have to do. For me, it reduces the flexibility I feel, especially in pitch.
There are a number of players on this board who play on Legere and Forestone reeds quite happily and post about them regularly - either they don't need to make the adjustments I find necessary or they don't find those adjustments uncomfortable.
By the way, FWIW, I use Fibracell reeds quite often on my saxes when I'm playing pit work with lots of quick changes, and I use Legeres on clarinet and bass clarinet under the same circumstances. I do generally prefer a synthetic reed to a dry one.
Karl
Post Edited (2011-10-07 18:18)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-10-07 18:19
I would think the reeds you refer to are the FibraCell (they look like cane). For my money they are fine on large clarinets (bass particularly), but I find them too bright for standard Bb. The Legeres are the the best bet for soprano. Get yourself the strength 1/4 less than you use in a cane reed (ie. a number 4 cane would equal a 3.75 Legere).
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: William
Date: 2011-10-07 18:24
Here is a link to Forestone reeds: http://www.forestone-japan.com/
I have been laying Forestone reeds on all of my clarinets & saxophones for over two years in all of my playing venues--orchestra, wind ensemble and jazz band groups. Consistent, durable & always "ready to go".
Post Edited (2011-10-08 18:17)
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Author: Vubble3
Date: 2011-10-09 05:47
Just go with the real stuff man
Buffet Bb R13 A RC Prestige
buffet chadash and moennig barrels
Lomax classic lig
b40 lyre
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2011-10-09 06:56
I've tried Legere, Forestone and Fibracell at various times. Fibracell I found a bit shrill, although friends play them with success. I like both Forestone and Legere, but play Legere for choice. They run about half to a quarter strength less than a Vandoren cane. This is all on a Bb soprano clarinet.
Tony F.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-10-09 13:18
The one I think you are talking about that looks and feels like a reed is most likely Fibercell. The concept is good, but it has serious vibration issues. He wanted to hire me after my days at Rico, but we couldn't come close to a fair wage agreement.
His reeds are all over the place so you really need to fix them and that should be left for the pro's. I played on a clarinet reed and a few sax reeds and it took me over an hour to get just the clarinet reed working. If you can make a reed from scratch well you could deal with the inharent problems with every molded reed. I'm not totally sure if the reeds were toxic, because of the sell in the factory. From reeding many books about toxic chemicals if you can smell them most likely they are toxic. Once they are cured, the smell is gone you can still get sick. You need a letter from the maker of the chemicals that tells you the toxic levels when wet and dried.
As of now, I don't think plastics can play like a reed, although I have some really interesting ideas never done before.
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Author: LesleyM
Date: 2011-10-10 14:55
Like many others, i have played the Legere reeds (I was sent some as a sample to trial).
I find that in the bottom and middle registers on the Bflat they are fine, ready to go straight from the packet but they do struggle at the higher end. On my Eflat I also tried the legere But I have reverted to cane as I couldn't get the little beast to hit anything above a top C.
But they do look very cool on my crystal mouthpiece.......
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