 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Maruja
Date: 2024-02-06 19:31
Hi everyone!
I have just bought a new French cut reed to try out on a Backun Vocalise mp. At first, I was really pleased, but then discovered that there was a sort of block on the E above the break, when the reed refused to speak. I wondered if anyone else has found this and whether the problem is with me, or that the reed does not suit this mp. Any advice would be appreciated.
Maruja
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-02-06 21:27
I can assume that switching back to the reed you normally use results in everthing working? If that's the case I might only think that it could be a little more resistance that makes that overblown note NOT sound properly. They are pretty good reeds, so once you have the right strength everything should work. I (despite Legere's recommendation) have better luck with the SAME strength I'd use for Euro Cut.
..........Paul Aviles
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Author: Djudy
Date: 2024-02-07 16:09
Paul,
Will you please refresh my memory as to the relationship Légère states for strength when :
- going from European to French cut,
- going from cane to French cut.
I still have that Légère French Cut alto sax reed that I didn't like on the Hite alto cl mp (which is made to take normal alto sax reeds) and I'm wondering if I should go down in strength or just forget it.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-02-07 16:36
I was sent the suggestion to use a French cut reed that was a quarter strength harder than the European Signature that I use. In one of these threads I believe the quote was that using a quarter strength stronger than what you use for Euro cut makes the French cut sing. However, I cannot move up more in strength without that being less effective and less comfortable. That suggestion does not work for me at all.
If you are transitioning from cane, MY suggestion is to take it really slow starting from a point several quarter strength increments softer (with the goal of using the softest Legere strength that eventually WORKS for you. When I did my initial foray in Legere it took me at least four months to get to a correct strength.
Also you have to look at the process as a monetary investment as well, particularly if you can't find them on Amazon (free returns......maybe) and if you exceed the Legere "four exchanges per year" policy.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: lydian
Date: 2024-02-07 18:39
Almost the same for me. I actually had to go a half strength harder. I started with a quarter strength harder, but had to exchange. The softer one is still ok for practice, so now I have two.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-02-07 23:30
So lydian, are you using a more open mouthpiece (I assume clarinet?).
I use shorter lays with smaller tip openings.
...................Paul Aviles
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Author: lydian
Date: 2024-02-07 23:55
No, I'm using a closed tip ~ .043" with a French Cut 3.0. I have a 5JB (.058) that I've tried and failed to make work, even on soft reeds. My chops aren't there yet, so my pitch is all over the place, and the resistance is off the charts.
Soprano sax is a totally different animal. The same French Cut 3.0 works fine on my .067 tip (8), but I'm not crazy about the tone quality. Too dark for the kind of music I play. So I'm sticking with cane there.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-02-08 02:31
Thanks!
I was just curious to know if that had anything to do with reed strength comparison. For the record my mouthpiece 1.03mm open (0.041"), still smaller but in the ballpark.
...........Paul Aviles
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Author: Julian ibiza
Date: 2024-02-10 23:14
Hi Maruja,
Although arriving at the right strength of legere can be a bit of a saga, they are very forthcoming in regards their exchange policy wherever you are in the word.
Julian Griffiths
Tel. 34 696 798 853
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2024-02-11 06:48
lydian-your not the first to fail with the 5jb lol. its a beast . iplay mine with a rico 1.5 reed. and some one at vandoren decided they needed a bigger one and now there is a 7jb!
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