 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: acermak
Date: 2014-07-11 07:23
I have a strength #3 alto sax Légère reed for my alto clarinet. It was way too hard as the Légère classic alto sax reeds are harder than most other #3 reeds. So I tried the boiling trick I had read about on here.
On Sunday, I got a pot of water off to a roiling boil then used wire tongs (which held the reed's butt) to immerse my reed in it (being careful not to hit the sides or bottom of the pot). After 25 seconds (+- a second or two) I took it out and placed it flat side up on a wire rack. After it was cool to the touch I put it on my music stand.
Final result? It softened up nicely. It was wonderful to play on Sunday evening and has remained that way. It may have hardened up a little on Monday but not by a lot. I've been playing it for a good 30-60 min per night. I'd say I dropped the strength by a good 1/2 strength, possibly 3/4. It is a wonderfully playable reed now.
So thanks to the folks on this Bboard for the info on how to soften a Légère.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-07-11 08:51
I've got a 2.5 which I thought would be fine on alto sax, only it felt more like a 3.5 on that but is far too soft for use on alto/basset horn. Last week I scraped it down and sanded it smooth so now it's the same as a red Java 2.5.
Shame I didn't know about the boiling trick earlier as I'd have liked to seen if that worked.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: oian
Date: 2014-07-15 08:24
Just a little about myself:
I'm a mostly self taught newbie to any instrument. I've been playing a Leblanc Paris Bass Clarinet. Currently I'm playing Rico Royal 1-1/2 strength reed (I told you I was new). I purchased a Legere #2 (the softest one they make for a Bass Clarinet), but it was a little too hard, so I just put it aside. When I saw this thread I figured it just might work. I boiled the reed for about 30 seconds, let it cool and tried it. It now plays like the 1-1/2 with the added benefit that it easily plays 3 to 4 notes above what I could do with the Rico.
Thanks for the information, John
Post Edited (2014-07-15 08:29)
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Author: Dileep Gangolli
Date: 2014-07-17 03:37
I boiled a Legere using a nice Bordeaux blend 2012.
Once it softened, I served it on a bed of organic lentils.
My guests enjoyed this meal and complimented me on all aspects of my cooking.
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-07-17 03:42
I've boiled quite a few Legeres in my day, never in wine. Perhaps that would have helped. As I've explained in gory detail elsewhere here on BBoard, it did not work out for me. Yes boiling changes them. No you cannot control it so you can always have a Legere with the right playing characteristics ready whenever you want it... take my word for it. You can't roller skate in a buffalo herd, either. Do I sound bitter? ...I have good reason.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: acermak
Date: 2014-07-17 05:30
Stan,
Well I'd be bitter after trying to roller skate in a buffalo herd, too. Although I'm actually come to think of it more referring to American Bison than buffalo. Are buffalo less large and ornery?
I don't think I'll boil any more since I figured out what strength I should be buying. I just wanted to get my reed into playing shape and had little to lose by trying it as I had lost the receipt. It worked out OK for me, probably by sheer luck. My suspicion is it worked because I had a LOT of hardness to remove, so I didn't need pin-point precision in either water temperature or time.
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-07-17 05:48
Well, if I HAD figured out a dependable regimen for boiling reeds, I'd have been afraid to share it here. What if somebody got hurt trying to follow my instructions? Just as well it didn't work long term.
But if somebody gave me a Legere that was too hard, no question I'd soften it up in hot water. Glad you were able to get what you needed.
You can't take a shower in a parakeet cage, either.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-07-17 16:51
"You can't take a shower in a parakeet cage, either."
You can. Don't ask me how i know!
Tony F.
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2014-07-17 20:08
Just curious: has anyone tried the boiling method with Forestone Reeds, or would that destroy them since they use bamboo fibers?
http://youtu.be/km803HkIE9U Muppets Show season #1 1976
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2014-07-17 20:49
I put the tip of a Forestone clarinet reed (just the tip) under hot water for a few seconds. It responds quicker but I think it may not be a permanent fix as I had to repeat it the following day. The advice I received from Legere involved only immersing the tip of the reed. I think overdoing this procedure might ruin a reed.
Freelance woodwind performer
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