The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: My report on Legere reeds.

Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2009-06-07 19:27

Where and who with was the performance of Peter and the Wolf? Your experience is certainly different than mine. When I played the Forrestal reeds, I felt they played and felt similar to the quebec and ontario legere reeds. By that I mean if I could have adjusted them I might have gotten them play, but I would never had played one over a cane reed in any situation. The legere signature in my opinion are in a whole different league. They feel and more importantly "react" like a cane reed. The Legere signature comes as close as I think I can get to my adjusted rico reserves and grand concerts.
Having done lots of recording on both rico reserve and the legere signatures, I have to say it's very hard for me to be able to tell which reed I'm playing by listening to it, on play back. And I have some really primo recording equipment.. So I think I, as I think we all do, is make a decision on what "sounds" the best, by what feels the best.

I feel that all synthetic reeds Legeres included, tend to give the player a different "feedback" than one is used to from a cane reed. That feed back can be very different that what is actually being conveyed to the audience. So buy a few and and let the taping begin. When you start listening to yourself with critical ears on playback you'll be amazed at what you will learn. Every time I do I find something new that is ether true or false.

On that note, I've been field testing the Zoom 2 and the Zoom h4n and I think you would have to spend a serious amount of money ( which if have) to get a better recording of a clarinet. The Zoom 2 is small about the size of a pack of cigarettes, is very easy to use and under $200. It sounds awesome. Much better than any of the mini disk nonsense that was out a few years ago. You can than edit takes in Garage band or audacity.

Most likely sometime this week I will posting another Rose Etude, this time I will be using some of the best AND least expensive gear on the market.
I will tape using the:
New Bliss synthetic clarinet $595 kessler Music
Stock Bliss mouthpiece, A very good mouthpiece, though not my usual facing
legere student reed $9.95
(this is the outfit that I wish all my students started with)
on to a Zoom H2 recorder ($159 on amazon)

I have to say I feel I can get about 90% out of the above rig compared to my normal rig:
Leblanc symphonie,
Moba mouthpiece with an M13esqe facing and Cocobolla Barrel and bell.
Rico Reserve 3.5 or Legere signature.

I would not go back to music school without a Zoom2, I wish I could have taped all the lessons I had with Iggy on this. I'd be able to really hear him again.
The Zoom 4 is bigger, more expensive a little more versitile. But with the built in microphones sounds pretty much the same as the zoom 2. But the Zoom h4n allows you to slow up playback while keeping the pitch, allows you to do 4 track recording and does M/S recording, which I particularly love to use.

Sorry if I rambled

Tom Puwalski Author of "The Clarinetist Guide to Klezmer" and soon to be released "Clarinet Basic Training" and "Klezmer Gig tune" a play along book.

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics

Author

Date

My report on Legere reeds. new

John J. Moses

2009-06-04 15:51