 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: MSK
Date: 2014-12-29 02:15
I've been using Legere standard cut reeds intermittently for about two years now, particularly in situations where I can't adequately wet the reed and warm up immediately prior to playing. I'm generally satisfied, but am intrigued by the positive reviews for the Quebec cut reed on this board. I found the standard cut reeds to run about a quarter strength harder than Vandoren so I go down 1/4.
According to the Legere website reed strength chart, the Quebec cut and Signature run softer than the standard. Is this accurate? Should I go up a 1/4 or 1/2 strength compared to standard? Given the price, I would like to minimize the number of wrong reeds I purchase. I'll be playing the reed on a Fobes San Francisco CF+ if it makes a difference.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2014-12-29 02:24
I bought a 2.5 Studio cut alto sax reed which felt more like a 3 - that's too hard for alto but way too soft for use on alto clarinet or basset horn for me. I scraped and sanded it down to the same strength as a red Java 2.5 but it's not a reed that I can use for long as the plastic softens as it warms up during playing which Bari reeds also do.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-12-29 03:06
For me it isn't that the reed softens during a session as much as it begins to be less strong over the course of a week or so. This is in part why I like using a 'one-for-one' strength ratio compared with Vandoren. This way I also can get the reed to "ping" better. Yes, initially the Quebec will be a bit more resistant, but it is much easier to get a workable sound coming from this side rather than too weak.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-12-29 18:59
I find that a Legere #3 classic cut plays about like a #3.5 V12. The #3s are a bit soft for me and the #3.25s are slightly hard. An average adjusted V12 3.5+ is about right for me on an M13 MP. I guess I need a Legere #3 1/8 ...!
Try a soak of the entire Legere reed in very warm water for a minute before you play them. This will reduce the warm-up period to almost zero.
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For me, the Legere peak out in performance after playing them for an hour or so and then get a bit wimpy. The partial solution is to move the reed higher on the MP and the best solution is to swap it out. After a rest, they will return mostly to normal the next day. Gradually, little by little, they lose center to the tone and snappiness to the response. Just kind of mellow out to mush.
I do love Legere, though. But, a really good cane reed, IMHO is overall better. I'd not stop using and trying new brands/cuts of cane reeds from time to time, even if you become a Legere Artist ... you might miss something wonderful!
Tom
Post Edited (2014-12-29 19:04)
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