 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tucker ★2017
Date: 2019-01-20 23:14
With all the hubbub about the European cut reeds for soprano clarinet, I was exciting and hoping Legere would make a European cut for bass clarinet.
I wrote Legere a few times inquiring about a bass reed only to finally learn they have no plans in developing one at this time.
I just received an email from Legere (their standard mailing list updates/advertisements) advertaising they are beta testing the European cut reeds for Eb clarinet.
My immediate reaction was... WTH??? In the 3 ensembles I play in there are a combined 7 bass clarinet players with NO Eb players. Granted these are community concert bands, not professional orchestras.
It seems to me there would be a larger market targeting community bands, schools, etc than professional orchestras just by the sheer numbers. Maybe they get more exposure if a "professional" plays their reeds rather than ordinary folks?
Any thoughts?
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Author: Ken Lagace
Date: 2019-01-21 00:54
Doesn't make sense - Bass clarinets are much easier to make than Eb reeds, which like the clarinets need much more precise. And the non-cane reeds do not play high vibration pitches as well. Keep us posted.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-01-21 01:06
Well...........
I have found you need quite a bit of partials from your reeds to make bass sound juicy, interesting, and allow it to project properly. Heretofore, the Legere bass clarinet reeds have been the biggest disappointment for me in just how tubby they sound compared to the Fibracell offering.
The other weird thing about Legere is that it is not simply developing a certain cut, or certain material. For example, the Legere Signature clarinet reeds are (technically speaking) dogs. But take the Signature Soprano Sax reeds (and the Signature European cut)and that is a WHOLE different story! So it is a combination of all the elements together in what I suggest is not always a predictable outcome (hence the long period of beta testing).
And oddly, I have been in a number of bands now where we have several players who play Eb clarinet .......really really well. Granted there are more bass players. Just don't count out the lowly Eb!
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: tucker ★2017
Date: 2019-01-21 19:27
Paul, because of your comments in another thread, I tried Fibracell on my bass. Legere has lost a customer. I now only play Fibracell. Thanks for the tip!
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2019-01-21 21:29
If anyone deserves a good reed, it is the Eb player!
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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