 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: feadog79
Date: 2007-12-03 12:14
To those people who use Legere reeds...I'm interested in knowing what mouthpieces you've had the best success with. I normally use cane reeds (Gonzalez FOF), but Legere has been really useful for me when doubling. I've figured out that a different ligature works better with the Legere than with cane reeds. I've used Vandoren 5RV with Legere, but it seems the overall response should be better than I'm getting with that mouthpiece!
Thanks in advance!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2007-12-03 12:33
Same mouthpiece, different strength.......you need to go down 1/4 strength lower.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2007-12-03 13:56
Also, which Legere are you using? I have found that the Quebec cut gives the most pleasant sound with my setup.
I use a Grabner K13 with a Quebec 3.5 and a Rovner ligature. I get very nice comments on my sound. The Grabmer Kaspar series mouthpieces work very well with Legere reeds. Walter even notes this on his site.
http://www.clarinetxpress.com/kstyle.html
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: kilo
Date: 2007-12-03 15:06
I'm using Quebec 3.25's on a Grabner K13, Vinson lig — good combination for me; I may try moving up a step when my current rotation reaches senescence.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-12-03 15:07
The mouthpeices that I have that sound good with a legere are my Richard Hawkins mouthpieces (not the one he just 'refaced' for me, but his ACTUAL mouthpieces. The refaced one doesn't sound as good with a legere as it does with cane). And I have a Walter Grabner K series. Not my favorite mouthpiece (I've found that I don't particularly like kaspar style mouthpieces so I don't play his K mouthpiece or the Ted Lane mouthpieces I used to have) but it sounds almost the same with a legere as it does with the cane.
And I have quebec legeres in my case.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-12-03 15:39
A friend of mine who used to play in a premiere military band sounds nice with a Ted Lane mouthpiece on Legere. She used to play Hawkins mouthpieces with Legere, as well. Probably something with a short facing and small tip opening would be my guess. She uses Quebec cut or the new triple dot. I use the Legere's in the summer concerts on my Gennusa Excellente or my old M13 Lyre, but prefer cane most of the time.
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Author: Cass Tech
Date: 2007-12-04 15:26
feadog79:
Having recently returned to the clarinet after a twenty-year break, I've become a convert to the Legere religion and perform the daily rotation ritual. I use a Quebec 3 or 3 1/4 with a Walter Grabner AW(some) mouthpiece and a Vandoren leather ligature. (Grabner recomends a 3 1/2). In my youth I played a Kaspar 13, and, as far as I'm concerned, the Grabner is a quantum leap beyond the "legend". Its creator describes it as "Legere friendly" and I thoroughly agree. (I've dubbed it my "Prince/Heart of Darkness" or "Black Hole of Calcutta" mouthpiece.)
Cass Tech (aka leatherlip)
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2007-12-04 19:14
I find no difference, but use Quebec and Luyben or velcro ligatures.
richard smith
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Author: Celeborn
Date: 2007-12-04 21:32
Ted Lane, who was mentioned above, makes a mouthpiece (from a Zinner blank) specifically designed for Legere. It works quite well for me.
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Author: redwine
Date: 2007-12-05 11:32
Hello,
Of everyone that uses Legere reeds for soprano clarinet and whose mouthpieces I've measured, their mouthpieces had extremely close facings. From my limited experimentation with these reeds, this works because I get a "collapsing" sensation with them. The close facing does not allow the reed to "collapse" so far, so that's what makes them work, in my opinion.
--"collapsing" is probably not the best descriptor for what I feel when playing the reeds, but is as close as my vocabulary will allow.
So, I would suggest trying your same mouthpiece in a closer facing with perhaps a stiffer Legere reed.
Or, go back to cane, which is what I find myself doing. After playing the Legere then going back to cane, it feels so good!
I wanted the Legere to work so much--it's a great idea-- but it simply doesn't work for me. Some great players do make it work, so it can be done.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2007-12-05 16:32
A short answer to the thread's question is I'm extremely happy with a #3 Legere Quebec on a Walter Grabner K14 (and a Vandoren Klassik string ligature). I've experimented with other Grabner models and stiffer Legere reeds. However, the K14 and #3 Quebec set up really does it for me.
A longer answer is to remind folks that Legere now makes 4 different soprano clarinet reeds. Thus, when someone writes about Legere clarinet reeds I'm tempted to ask which one.
The 4 Legere cuts are: regular, Quebec, Ontario, and German. From conversations I've had with Guy Legere here's my understanding about the models. Regular is based on Vandoren Traditional. Quebec is based on the old Morre. Ontario is what had been called the 3-dot prototype. I'm not sure what it can be compared to. Finally, the German is similar to a Vandoren White Master.
Of the four types, my personal favorite is Quebec followed by Ontario. For whatever reason, I don't like the regular Legere soprano clarinet reed at all. It's been my experience that the thicker-cut Quebec reed is an especially good match for a Grabner Kaspar.
Hope this helps, Roger
PS, I recently got one of Walter Grabner's new K14e mouthpieces (442 version of the K14) and am quite impressed with it. I hear some subtle differences between it and my performance K14. Walter describes the K14e has having a touch of "sparkle". This can give one an additional option in finding a good match between Legere reeds and various mouthpieces. So far, I've only tried the K14e. Walter also makes "e" versions of the K11 and K13.
Post Edited (2007-12-05 17:40)
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2007-12-06 02:13
I've had good luck with legere regular with my Selmer C85 120 mouthpiece.
Leonard
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Author: fontan29
Date: 2007-12-15 15:03
I used to religiously use Legere reeds (#4) on my Vandoren 5RV Lyre Profile 13 in college. I had several that I rotated just like regular cane reeds. With them I used a Vandoren Optimum Ligature with the plate with the 2 horizontal lines. They worked very well for me. I just recently switched to a Brad Behn Artist Mouthpiece and Grand Concert Select Evolution reeds with a BG Super Revelation Ligature. I still have legeres in my case, but they get pulled out less and less in performances, but they still get plenty of use in my teaching. I am a band teacher as well, and when I am teaching through my day of lessons, it is quite nice to know I am all set to go with a Legere reed. There is no need to worry about having to take the reed off to get it wet. It's going to work right off the bat. I use them on my alto sax as well (Selmer C* Mouthpiece, Yamaha sax).
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Author: hans
Date: 2007-12-15 19:14
fontan29,
I have tried three Legere reeds on my Selmer SA 80 II alto sax with a Selmer C* mouthpiece and Optimum ligature but could not get near the sound of a good Zonda cane reed.
Since Legere works so well for my clarinet (a Recital with 5RV and Optimum), I think I must not have found the right strength or cut yet, so I was wondering which cut and strength you are using.
Hans
Update - I tried a 1.5 Studio Cut today and it worked very well. Previous tests were with a 2.5 and a 2. Response was better than cane, but tuning was not as consistent. Hopefully that's just a matter of getting used to it. Time to retire the Zonda cane reed I've been using for a year - maybe I'll get it bronzed or framed :-)
Post Edited (2007-12-16 04:17)
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2007-12-16 15:16
I find it easiest to play the Legere reeds (I like the Quebec cut, myself) on symmetric facings. My Dan Johnston mouthpiece is asymmetric (to compensate for my own shortcomings) and the Legere is chirpy on that.
I find that the Legere is softer than my Rigotti cane reeds, but not so much.
I just move the reed down on the mouthpiece a bit, to set the flexpoint lower.
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2007-12-16 17:10
The one for which playing stacatto rapidly produces the most desirable result. Got this from an elderly custom mpc maker, years ago.
richard smith
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Author: KSL
Date: 2012-03-23 04:20
For me the Richard Hawkins and the Vandoren M30 mouthpieces work best with Legere reeds. I use the Signature series reed, strength 3 1/4 to 3 1/2 for the Richard Hawkins, and 3 1/2 to 3 3/4 with the Vandoren M30. I have tried the Vandoren M13 Lyre but have noticed annoying resistance in the altissimo regester.
Incidentally, the ATG reed finishing system works great with Legeres. I only adjust the tip and/or corners on those reeds that don't respond quite as well and it does wonders. I have reied many ligatures but have settled recently on the Rovner Dark.
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Author: feadog79
Date: 2012-03-23 12:04
Five years after posting this question....
I've been using a Grabner K13 for several years now. Works good with Legeres. I've always had to work Legere reeds with the ATG system to make them play well for me, though...and good cane has been my preference. Sometimes, though, Legere is nice to use when playing in pit orchestras.
I just started trying the signature series reeds...they seem to be closer to cane as far as response goes. If I can find the right strength, they might become my go-to reeds!
Joe W.
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2012-03-23 17:17
I've used Legeres on a number of mps. Here are some they worked particularly well with:
clarinet:
Richard Hawkins
Selmer C85 105
Viotto N1
soprano sax:
Selmer C**
tenor sax:
Otto Link STM NY 7
Eric
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: J Cohen
Date: 2012-03-24 14:56
I've been using legere reeds since about 2003 on clarinet and bass clarinet.
On clarinet I've used a Gigliotti P35, Vandoren M15, Behn Artist, and have been using a Behn Vintage for about the last 4 years.
On bass clarinet I've only used a Vandoren B45 that I've had for 10 years and have been perfectly happy with.
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Author: feadog79
Date: 2012-03-24 19:24
Just sat down to my computer after working on the "Shriner Ballet" solo from Bye Bye Birdie (playing the show next weekend).
I decided to give a #3 Legere signature a try on my Grabner K13. It really did play well...I'd have to say the best I've experienced with Legere. I would feel comfortable playing the reed in the show, and not feel like I'm giving anything up by not using cane. The response and tone meet my standard.
Would have been nice last year when I did Fiddler On The Roof!
Joe W.
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Author: hinotehud ★2017
Date: 2012-03-26 00:54
I have had very good results with a Signature 3 3/4 on Vandoren M30 and M30 Lyre mouthpieces. I use a Florian Popa ligature but I find the Rovner Versa, Bonade inverted, and Robert Vinson ligatures also work well.
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