 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Katiebeatles
Date: 2012-12-12 13:41
So I currently play Vandoren 3.5s, but only 1 or 2 reeds out of a box sound half decent and play the way they are supposed to. Kind of fed up with the inconsistencies, so I've started looking into some form of synthetic or cane alternative reed. Does anyone have any suggestions for brands that are good and opinions/info about them? Thanks:)
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Author: dperreno
Date: 2012-12-12 14:09
I play both Legere and Forestone. I think the strengths of the Legeres are pretty close to VanDoren blue box reeds, maybe 1/4 strength harder, but the Forestones run much softer.
I've been playing a standard Legere 3.5 for many years, and it's very good, but not nearly as good as a good cane reed. People seem to really like the new Legere Signature series, as well as the Ontario. I just received Signature 3.5 and an Ontario 3.25 this week and I'm going to try them out.
I have also been playing Forestones on my backup clarinets, and I found that I had to move to their highest strength of 5 in order to get a similar feel to a 3.5 VanDoren. I actually like this reed a lot, but it has a different feel from the Legeres. I'm still deciding whether or not to switch to it full time.
One thing to watch for is to try any of these reeds on multiple mouthpieces and with various ligatures. I find that the synthetics respond much better with my VanDoren Optima ligature, while I like my Rovner for cane reeds. I've also matched up the Forestone to my Gigliotti mouthpiece and the Legere to my Fobes Nova.
Doug
Doug
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Author: kilo
Date: 2012-12-12 15:45
The "problem" with synthetics is finding the right one and sticking with it long enough to really feel comfortable with it. Some people are disappointed when they first try one, don't like it for one reason or another, and don't feel like laying out another twenty bucks to try a different strength, cut, or brand. Legere lets you exchange a reed you're dissatisfied with — I've never done this but I know players who have. A Legere Quebec 3.25 works very well on my Bb soprano with a Grabner K13, and a standard 3.25 is ideal on my bass with a Fobes Debut. I recommend playing several in rotation. Reed placement is also very important — I've even used a magnifying glass to help get it lined up although now I can pretty much tell from the response. As to the sound, people who would eschew a synthetic have complimented me on my tone. I've tried Fibracell and Bari synthetics but prefer the Legeres.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-12-12 19:11
For soprano I recommend Legere. My experience has been much different from Doug's however. I find that the best match to Vandoren is to use a Legere strength one quarter softer. So if you use a Vandoren Nr. 4, you'd use a Legere strength 3.75.
Of course, you may find a different relationship for yourself.
Oh and just another note about cane. You CANNOT get a better sound than a good cane reed that is behaving itself. My recommendation for synthetics is merely to get you through cold weather where the dew point is hideously low and your cane dries out almost before it hits the mouthpiece.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2012-12-12 19:25
Quote:
One thing to watch for is to try any of these reeds on multiple mouthpieces and with various ligatures. I agree. I play on Legere Signature reeds and have found mouthpieces that sound ok with them, mouthpieces that work VERY well with them, and mouthpieces that I can NOT find a legere that works on it.Quote:
The "problem" with synthetics is finding the right one and sticking with it long enough to really feel comfortable with it. Some people are disappointed when they first try one, don't like it for one reason or another, and don't feel like laying out another twenty bucks to try a different strength, cut, or brand. Found this out too. You have to give it at LEAST two weeks of exclusively trying it. It WILL feel different initially, and it MAY sound different to you initially. But take a little time to see if it's worth it and don't go on your initial impression. Also, record yourself or ask a friend to listen in and see if it sounds different to an AUDIENCE instead of just in your head.
For me, legere signature series works well. It's what I've used for about a year exclusively. Every now and then I try a cane reed again, and I feel that a GREAT cane reed WILL outplay a legere, but I just don't have the patience to sort through 30 reeds to find those that have potential, work on them, hope the humidity is good that day, work on them again, and even when I go through that process, I still squeak once in a while. With the legere, the consistency lets me focus on making music. And the sound, while not a "10" in my opinion, is a solid "8" and has sounded fine to whoever I've asked to listen.
If I was a professional symphony player playing in controlled climates all the time and had all the time I needed to work on reeds and it was my sole purpose for being in life, I'd probably stick with cane. When I want to maximize my time for other things in life and also practicing and working on skill and musicality, the legere wins every time for me.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2012-12-12 20:54
".....but only 1 or 2 reeds out of a box sound half decent and play the way they are supposed to..."
In my opinion this is a screaming neon sign that says you need a better mouthpiece. If you have a really good mouthpiece you'll find yourself getting a much higher percentage of "good" reeds. Vandorens are decent reeds and actually pretty consistent. You'll find some variability in synthetic reeds too (though maybe a bit less than with cane).
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Author: pplateau
Date: 2012-12-12 21:48
I agree with lot said here re the newest Legere Signature; I like it a lot and came to use one a quarter strength less than the V12; For a cane reed the Rico Reserve Classic (purple box) reeds are very good and consistent out of the box; you can usually use all of them, maybe some need minor adjustments.
But for all around higher performing amateurs like me ?, the Signatures save the day!
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Author: Wes
Date: 2012-12-13 07:22
May I respectfully suggest that you try to learn to fix your reeds so that you get 10 out of a box of 10 Vandorens. Don't expect to get all or any good reeds from a new box without some processing work on your part. Some #400 silicon carbide sanding paper will do the trick, if you learn how to use it. Fixing reeds is part of playing the clarinet. Good luck!
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