 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2010-01-15 16:40
From an earlier post:
Hi DougR & All:
To answer your question:
"Does anyone here play bass PRINCIPALLY (not as a double), in more legit settings (where a good "legit" sound is required), and use synthetic reeds?"
I am a professional clarinetist in NYC, and have played in every venue here in the City.
That said, I have used my Legere reeds in every venue for the past year or so, and they work great in every professional setting.
My Legere Bass Clarinet reed has held up for months at WICKED on Broadway. I have recently used it to record a "Lucky Charms" jingle, and the Bass reed can be heard on the recently released Hollywood film, "The Informant!". In addition, I used my Legere Bass reed on all our concerts at Carnegie Hall with the NY Pops in 2009, and in December, played a very difficult Bass Clarinet chamber music piece at Zankel Hall in NYC with the American Composers Orchestra.
So, I think that covers how good the Bass Clarinet Legere reeds really are. I have put all their Clarinet reeds through the most grueling tests, and they have all produced great results.
Again, as I have said often, I am a LEGERE Artist and promote their products. I receive reeds from them to test and evaluate. I also use LEGERE reeds on all my Clarinets & Saxophones.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: Justin Willsey ★2017
Date: 2010-01-15 18:59
Thanks for the info. I was very glad to have some bass clarinet Legeres on hand for a recent performance of Petrushka and a contemporary piece, as all of my cane reeds were misbehaving.
Can we expect the Signature Series for bass any time soon?
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Author: USFBassClarinet
Date: 2010-01-15 21:39
Willsey asked the question I have been waiting to know for a long time. I like some things about the Bass Legere now but find that the altissimo voices a little weird. Do you experience this at all? (maybe it was just the one I so happen to get?)
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Author: DougR
Date: 2010-01-16 04:58
Actually, I was thinking of you when I wrote the post, John--I shoulda said "anyone BESIDES John Moses who..."
thanks for the post. If I may, what strength cane bass reeds did you formerly use, and what Legere (strength & model) has worked out best for you for bass?
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2010-01-16 04:58
I've tried quite a few Bass Clarinet reeds from Legere, and they are really very consistent. The upper register is only a problem for me if the reed is too soft. You must find one that is exactly right for you, don't settle for one that is a little too soft or hard. As you know, they come in quarter (1/4) strengths, so make sure you've ordered the proper one.
I've spoken to both Peter Randell & Tim Elvy at Legere about the Signature series for Bass & Eb Clarinets. They've assured me it will happen, but they are spending a lot of time and resources on their new synthetic Bassoon & Oboe reeds, so we'll all just have to wait for the new Signatures...sorry.
Legere continues to have a good return/replacement policy, unlike other reed manufacturers, so send back whatever doesn't work (but do not sand or try to clip the reeds you send back), that's a "no-no" with Legere!
Good luck!!!
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: USFBassClarinet
Date: 2010-01-16 05:02
just curious, how often do you replace yours and how many do you keep at a time? sorry if you already answered this in another thread. do you adjust them at all?
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Author: William
Date: 2010-01-16 20:19
I do not have as many playing opportunities as JJM, but, in response to the "other than" comment by DougR, I have been alternating between two Legere 3.0 reeds for over four years on my Grabner CX_BS and Buffet Prestige low C. They both play just about the same, but not like other #3's that I have more recently purchased. FWIW, I average about 25 gigs per year on bass (orchestral & band), my main playing being on soprano(s). My me, those bass Legeres have had *great* lasting power and show no signs for impending retirement soon. Also (FWIW), I always get favorable comments when I play my bass, so my sound must not be all that bad--LOL. It's Legere's for me on the bass (A & T sax as well), but Forestones on my sopranos. Haven't tried the Sigs as yet.......
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2010-01-17 01:55
Hi USFBassClarinet & All:
I rotate about 4 Legere Bass reeds in all my varied venues here in NYC. They do not, as yet, make a "Signature" Bass reed, so I use the "Regular," and only, Bass Clarinet reed Legere currently make.
I play Bass every day for at least an hour or so, but along with many other doubles, so the "wet reed problem" has been eliminated with the synthetic Legere.
My Legere reeds do not get softer after a hour of playing, because I do not ever play Bass Clarinet alone for one full hour (luckily!). Even in a NY Pops concert, the reeds do not soften, probably because we play 5 to 20 short pieces on each Pops concert. Perhaps Opera or Symphonic players can give you a better "fatigue factor" than I?
My Legere reeds work well for at least a month, some for two months. It may sound strange but, I've taken out an old Legere that I had long ago given up on, and found that it had another good concert left in it!
Please post your reactions to your reeds and their longevity, OK?
Good luck with whatever you've chosen to play on.
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2010-01-17 02:46
Hi John and Everyone,
I'm quite happy with Legere on bass clarinet as well as with my other reed doubles. I've found the one hour estimate (before reed softening) to be relative. On occassion I've gone up to a couple of hours of constant playing without having noticable problems with tonal quality or response. However, I normally rotate reeds after about an hour.
While it appears that it will be a while before Legere has Signature bass clarinet reeds, has anyone found and tried a new batch of regular Legeres having a Signature-like pattern on the back of the reed? About a month or so ago I found an updated version of the regular Legere alto saxophone reed. It's definitely a Regular Legere; however, it has a pattern on the back of the reed that is similar to that of the Signature clarinet reed. The new version of the regular Alto reed has noticable improvements in sound, response, and overall playability. I'm extremely happy with it.
I have not yet found any of the updated bass clarinet or Quebec Bb clarinet reeds. Looking forward to it!
Roger
http://www.amc.net/RogerMAldridge
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-01-17 15:31
My limited experience with both the clarinet and bass clarinet Legere reeds have been the same whenever I tried them. For me at least, the higher I go in range the less I like them. I have a certain tone quality that I get with a natural cane reed, it's something that I developed in my playing over the years, and I just can't get that quality on a Legere. Each of us has our own standard and if one can reach that standard time after time with a Legere, or any other none cane reed, then that's great for them. For those of us that can't reach our standard with one then we have to stay with natural cane reeds.
As far as longevity goes with my cane reeds, I posted something last fall that I had a Rico Grand Concert last me for nine months, a life time record to be sure, and I stated truthfully that I used it for every concert and rehearsal in the BSO in that time period. Sure I clipped it several times but what a reed. The average life that I get from a bass clarinet reed is one to three months on average playing it for every symphony service, but practicing on other reeds. I can't complain. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
Post Edited (2010-01-17 23:19)
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2010-01-17 15:44
Here's tip from Peter Randell at Legere in Canada:
If your Legere reed (on whatever horn) gets a bit soft after an hour or so, try dipping it in really cold water for about 30 seconds. It hardens the reed immediately, give it a try! Conversely, if your reed feels too stiff at first or hardens up after a while, try dipping it in hot (not boiling) water for about 30 seconds. That softens it up quit a bit for at least an hour.
Does that work for any of you?
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: William
Date: 2010-01-17 16:06
LOL--I'll try keeping a hot plate with near-boiling water next to my orchestra chair the next chance (gig) I have. A glass of ice water seems more realistic, however.......... Nevertheless, JJM, I'll give it a try here a home--thanks for all of your informative tips.
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Author: fuehrcol
Date: 2015-11-08 04:14
I just got a legere reed for tenor sax and im using it on my bass clarimet and I can get anything out at all.
-Cole Fuehrer
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Author: John J. Moses
Date: 2015-11-09 22:36
Hi fuehcol:
Sorry you having a problem with the great Legere Tenor Sax/Bass Clar. reeds.
Try a harder or softer one. Just send it back with a note that explains the strength you use in cane reeds & ask for a replacement Tenor reed in the new strength. It's the only reed company I know that will offer a replacement reed.
Good luck,
John
JJM
Légère Artist
Clark W. Fobes Artist
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Author: fuehrcol
Date: 2015-11-10 00:11
Hi John and thaks for your responce. I just had to practice with it for a little while and now it sounds great.
-Cole Fuehrer
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2015-11-10 17:36
The original style of Legere sax reeds are VERY hard. The Studio Cut is closer to a Vandoren strength. There are strength charts on the Legere web site.
Steve Ocone
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