 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Iacuras
Date: 2005-03-10 23:43
I was thinking about trying out a Legere reed, and was wondering what some people thought of them. Also, which do you prefer, regular or quebec cuts. I have searched the database already, and the previous post was in 2000, so I thought people might have different ideas. Thanks for your help.
Steve
"If a pretty poster and a cute saying are all it takes to motivate you, you probably have a very easy job. The kind robots will be doing soon."
"If you can't learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly."
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2005-03-11 00:06
My wife loves them. Since she doubles, it is a fine solution for hot swapping instruments with no time to prep the reed. I would love for them to work for my saxes, but I made the unfortunate error of buying the same size as my cane reeds. I guess I needed to buy 1/2 a size down. Doesn't matter though because my wife can use them.
My wife tried fibrecell, plasticovers, and legere. She loves the legeres for her clarinet, oboe and saxes.
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2005-03-11 00:34
Steve,
I'm sure we've discussed Legeres around here in the last six months or so, but wouldn't have a clue for how to search for the discussions efficiently.
For what it's worth, I play Legeres exclusively, due to my residence up here in the frozen tundra (read: dry one second and humid the next) of Minnesota. I'm way too busy to mess with cane these days. Or maybe that should read "lazy."
I have tried both the regulars and the Quebec cuts, and have found the regular ones to work better. IMO, the Quebecs are softer than the regulars of the same strength. YMMV.
Katrina
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Author: John Stackpole
Date: 2005-03-11 13:07
They worked for me, and the company was very good at exchanging reeds until I zeroed in on the strength that was right for me.
Sound just fine, too (but I am in no way an "expert" on intonation, etc. qualities.)
JDS
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Author: William
Date: 2005-03-11 14:27
After having played Legere reeds exclusively from last July 4th until Jan 1st (or so), I was unable to learn to make the reed "sing" on my soprano clarinets (A & Bb) like my trusty old V12s can do. The quality of the Legeres sound just never seemed to equal that of a good cane reed. It is true that they are "hassel free" and are always ready to play. They are relatively consistant and the company--Legere Reeds, LTD, 39 Weatherup Cr, Barrie, Ontario, Canada, L4N7J6--will exchange reeds that are not acceptable, often within a couple of weeks. They are durable and will last almost indefinately, compared to cane. But for me, the quality of sound was the deciding factor, and I have resumed using V12s for my serious performances.
However, I continue to use the Legere reed on my bass clarinet (exclusively) as well as in situations that require playing doubles, like pit orchestras and combo gigs, because they are always "right there" when I need them to play.
BTW--Ted Lane, professional clarinetist, told me in an email that he continues to use Legeres exclusively and that most of his students also use the Legere and sound "great". Check out his website for some great sound bits of his artisty. He also mentioned that he plays a Hawkins custom mpc.
Ted Lanes website: http://www.americansinfonietta.org/Ted_Lane/recorded_excerpts.html
(enjoy)
Post Edited (2005-03-11 14:28)
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Author: luckyclarinettoenla
Date: 2005-03-11 18:45
Adding my two cents and this being my first posting on this board, I'll tell a story: In college, I briefly played in the orchestra as 2nd clarinet ( I later was awarded the principal position). Our principal at the time used Legere reeds and though I and the principal of our university band could tell, it seemed that no one else could. We found that when playing some of band literature that she had a hard time matching our pitch ( especially above c6-- and when there were A6 and Bb6s it was out of the question). I should mention though, that those notes are hard to play in tune by themselves. But I digress.
One day, I had received a package from my mother in the mail containing cookies and other goodies, and our orchestra director noticed it as we were passing the hallway. He asked me what I had and I said it was a care package from my mom to which he responded "It's not plastic reeds is it?"
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that the difference may not be noticeable to some, and with a lot of work it very well could sound good. Keep that in mind. There seems to be a general consensus that Legere reeds alleviate the hassle of reeds, but at the cost of that je ne sais quoi that makes cane reeds special.
Alright, that was more like my 42 cents instead of my 2 cents. Thanks for putting up with my rambling!
Lucky
Never fool yourself into believing that today's 'good enough' will do tomorrow!
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Author: clarinetdaddy
Date: 2005-03-11 19:44
I have been using these reeds for a long time now. When I was over in Baghdad all of us woodwind players used Legere. With the heat of close to 150 degrees wood reeds would never work. We played a lot of jobs outside and when you have to stand listening to three commanders give there speeches that can last up to 30 minutes. Then you are given the forward march these reeds were the only ones that we found to respond.
clarinetdaddy
clarinetdaddy
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
nothing".
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-03-11 20:49
I truly wonder if anyone can tell that a player is or is not using a Legere or any other "plastic" reed. I can recall when teachers thought it was improper for students to use electronic keypads too. I keep one in my reed case and use it every so often. The only negative I have is the slipperiness against the lip.
Bob Draznik
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Author: ginny
Date: 2005-03-11 20:52
Neither my son nor I cared for them. Some extra wolf tones on long B. They are not so expensive as all that, you probably should try them for yourself.
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Author: John Stackpole
Date: 2005-03-12 12:01
BobD wrote:
"it was improper for students to use electronic keypads too. I keep one in my reed case and use it every so often."
Man, that must have been one monster reed case.....
;-)
JDS
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Author: Wes
Date: 2005-03-13 03:28
After playing a long time in a first clarinet section of four people, reasonably well in tune, one player switched to a Legere reed. She is the director's wife. The tuning has not been as good since as she tends to play lower in pitch than before. She did it to simplify her life, apparently, but I wish she would return to cane reeds or do something. Good luck!
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Author: Iacuras
Date: 2005-03-15 18:48
Well, I recieved my Legere Reed in the mail today. I got a 3.5 strength, the same as I played on my vandoren reeds. And as far as I can tell, the sound fairly similar. Once I play on it a little more I will update you again.
Steve
"If a pretty poster and a cute saying are all it takes to motivate you, you probably have a very easy job. The kind robots will be doing soon."
"If you can't learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly."
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Author: Iacuras
Date: 2005-03-15 21:14
Well, I just finished a good long practice in which I played Weber's Concertino on both my Legere and my Vandoren reed. I was blown away by the difference in sound quality. My Vandoren reed had a rich deep dark sound compared to the Legere, which sounded pinched and thin.
Steve
"If a pretty poster and a cute saying are all it takes to motivate you, you probably have a very easy job. The kind robots will be doing soon."
"If you can't learn to do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly."
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