 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: oca
Date: 2012-09-22 04:42
I'm planning on buying a Legere signature which comes in quarter strengths and I know that the softer the reed, the more open the mouthpiece has to be.
My main concerns are how the length of the facing affects the hardness of reed appropriate for the mouthpiece and how to calculate which hardness to purchase. Help please!
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-09-22 09:02
You have a very close facing. Even the German mouthpieces are much more open.
The average tip opening is somewhere around 1.03 to 1.15. (mm)
Bob Marcellus played on a 1.11mm facing on his Mozart recording. This comes directly from Bob during a phone conversation I had with him. However I don't know if it was refaced.
So with a 1.00mm facing I'd try the harder strengths. I'm unsure of your experience, so call them or email them. They've always been very good with answering my past emails, but that was at least 12 years ago.
I'm playing on the VD56 reeds, 4 strength and the last time I tried their plastic reeds they were about a 1/2 strength lighter.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2012-09-22 09:09)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-09-22 12:55
How easy are Legere reeds to adjust if you get the wrong strength (by +/- .5)?
If you get one that's too hard, will sanding it down to make it softer also make it sound brighter?
Will trimming one down that's too soft make it sound duller?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2012-09-22 13:49
Of course people play differently....not all performers would use the same strength on a given mouthpiece. This stated I would start with a 4 1/4.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-09-22 13:54
What strength reed are you currently using with this close tip/long lay mouthpiece?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2012-09-22 17:08
After more thought....there are too many variables......you're just going to have start someplace and make your own judgements. .... maybe start with a 3 1/2 and see how it goes.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: oca
Date: 2012-09-22 18:07
After trying a 3.5, how do I know if it is too soft or too hard?
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-09-22 19:00
If it sounds too buzzy or very easy to blow in the lower register and very shrill up top (and tends to go flat), the reed is most likely too soft.
If the reed is too hard, the lower register will be very stuffy and staccato notes won't be very easy to do cleanly.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2012-09-22 20:36
The best way to adjust any reed is work on the rails first, not at the tip of the rails. If it's still too hard take off some of the plastic about 1/4" from the tip, in the center of the reed, also known as the heart of the reed. Pretty much the same technique as a cane reed.
Plastic reeds have always sounded buzzy to me so I really don't know. Go by what Chris says.
If the reed is too soft you will most likely have trouble with the upper register and you will be biting too much to hit the notes. For harder reeds follow Chris's advice.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2012-09-23 02:16)
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Author: Buster
Date: 2012-09-22 21:43
Marcellus played a Kaspar 13 closed down to 1.12 for the Mozart and a Kaspar 11 (1.11) for the Schubert Octet.
I don't really care myself what anybody played on any given recording because it doesn't help anybody with anything, but if we are going to get down to the nitty-gritty of hundredths of a millimeter for helpful discussion then more accurate specs should be stated. (I have facts on better!!!! authority myself.)
But, this really means little for oca's original question... no????
And we have posters stating to start with a 4 1/4, only to recant and prophesize dropping down to a 3 1/2 as a jumping platform. Quite a broad range of confusion......... even the o.p. has been left wanting for more (!!!!!) clarification after such contradictory posts from the same pool of knowledge.
Let's offer more substantive advice or keep insights to ourselves friends. (and yes, I have no bananas, errrrr advice.)
oca/ or goose,
Contact Legere and take their guidance, ignoring everyone here, including me.
-Jason
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2012-09-22 22:21
My attempt at answering the question was to help someone from my own experiences. I play Legere reeds. I have a dozen in my reed case...mostly Quebec but also some Signature and regular. I don't think it's out of line to respond to a question. Regardless of whether I'm right or wrong I am just doing my part here.
Freelance woodwind performer
Post Edited (2012-09-22 22:45)
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Author: TJTG
Date: 2012-09-23 01:24
As far as the Legere Reeds go, I've been on them for nearly a year. The newest ones to come out conform more closely to V12's than before. No longer is "subtract a quarter strength" a good rule of thumb. I'd say, purchase your strength on V12 if you want to start somewhere. The last order i made was far too soft. All 6 reeds!
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