 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: John
Date: 2000-10-15 19:46
Recently I bought a Legere (3 1/2) and I like it. Unfortunately, it seems to get soft part way through orchestra rehearsal. I looked for a 4, but the local store doesn't think it will gat any more Legeres. I tried a Bari, but it doesn't feel like the tone has any center - or is it my imagination?
Question - What are your experiences comparing plastic reeds?
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Author: Paul Lester
Date: 2000-10-15 20:31
Hi John;
I've used Legere's off and on for a while and have found that they retain their 3 1/2 playability for about 30 min and then start to soften. I swap 3 or more Legere reed for extended playing. I've found it helps to allow some reed resting time beween uses.
Cheers,
Paul
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Author: lee
Date: 2000-10-17 00:34
In my opinion Legere reeds are better reed.
But why Plastic,or Synthetic? What ever happend to just cane reeds.Sure the playing charateristics change with time but I think the way to have the best tone and control is to use some kind of cane reed. Vandoren,Rico Royal,e.t.c.
So again the question why Plastic,or Synthetic?
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Author: John
Date: 2000-10-17 02:40
Lee,
The bulk of my playing over the last 20 years has been for dances and music festivals. This fall I'm playing the clarinet book for "Brigadoon." In both settings, my reed dries out between tunes. I must have a consistent entrance every time.
Concerning tone, I agree with you. If I perform a solo with the local school band, it'll be on a V-12.
Thanks all,
John
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-10-17 03:00
A little story about the Legere reed:
A couple of years ago now my son was trying out for a cash scholarship. His reeds just didn't work the day of his taping (you all know how <i>that</i> is!) and he needed to make the tape that day. He used a Legere because that was the only thing that was working that day.
Having a playable reed ended up being worth a few thousand dollars!
He still prefers cane, but the Legere can sure come in handy!
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Author: Allen Cole
Date: 2000-10-18 05:26
I echo the sentiment about reliability with plastic reeds. I use Bari plastic reeds on all of the saxophones because most jobs I play involve having two or more saxes, as well as a clarinet and a flute. That's a lot of reeds to keep primed.
The plastic reeds work better with jazz/R&B sax than with clarinet because reedy sax sounds are more tolerable in those styles. This allows me to nurse one cane reed--the Zonda on my clarinet, and not have to do a juggling act trying to keep sax reeds warm & wet.
As stated in other posts, plastic reeds start up reliably even if dry, they tend to last a long time, and they tend to be pretty strong on consistency. I would not generally want to use them in classical situations, but I believe that I used one for Porgy & Bess some years ago with no complaints.
Allen Cole
allencole@richmond.com
http://allencole.tripod.com
http://www.jamschool.net
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