 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-10-29 19:35
this is meant for those already using Legere sucessfully
A local university clarinet teacher has been recommending the use of Legere Eb European Cut reeds on Bb clarinet. The student from whom I heard that sounded really good so I thought I'd give it a whirl.
Over the course of about a month (and I'd say one needs to spend a little time with getting used to the characteristics) I have nothing but great results now.
The first interesting advantage is that the reed is narrower (side to side dimension) than the Bb European cut (or Signatue Soprano saxophone reed), so it's closer to a normal cane reed width or the Legere French Cut. I believe that having slightly less material at the tip allows it to respond more quickly. At very least I'd say the quick response is what I find appealing about the French cut reeds.
Then the vamp is naturally much shorter than it would be for a Bb reed. One would think that is a bad thing on a Bb mouthpiece. However, it just seems to give it that Signature Soprano Sax reed "snap" to the sound.
If you're in that in-between place with Legere (that being the European Cut are a bit sluggish and the French Cut are too thin sounding) I highly recommend trying the Eb Euopean cut reeds.
It's hard for me to recommend a strength comparison since I have been going through some "nebulousness" on that score of late BUT, you may try a one for one comparison to the French Cut, possibly verging on moving a quarter strength higher for the Eb reed.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2024-10-29 19:44
I've recently been using soprano sax reeds on clarinet, both cane and legere. They work very well, with great tone colour. I use about 1 number higher than if I was using a cane Bb reed.
Tony F.
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Author: JackLind
Date: 2024-10-30 12:40
Besides the pros, are there any cons?
Post Edited (2024-10-31 03:32)
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Author: graham
Date: 2024-10-31 01:00
Interesting, because I use Marca American Vintage soprano sax reeds on my E flat. Works well for me.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-10-31 02:41
For me the "cons" were with getting used to how the short vamp affected pitch. I find myself having to be more attentive to the embouchure "pressure" side of the embouchure/air equation. My BIG mistake was playing the reed on one of the first days I had it for a gig. I don't have perfect pitch and finding WHERE everything was lying on the fly was very hard. I'd say I "missed" more than I got right......just didn't have a handle on the direction pitch was going.
...........Paul Aviles
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Author: johnsmithai
Date: 2025-11-14 16:00
This is a really insightful breakdown! It’s fascinating how the narrower profile and shorter vamp of the Eb European Cut translate into faster response and that snappier Signature-style feel on a Bb setup. Your description makes it clear that this option fills a useful middle ground for players who find the regular European Cut too sluggish and the French Cut too bright. Great to hear it worked so well for you—definitely worth a try for anyone still searching for their ideal Legere matchup.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2025-11-14 17:25
Besides the shorter vamp, I imagine the overall reed is shorter like most Eb reeds. When I tried the soprano sax reeds, one issue I had was that the butt end of the reed was covered by the ligature. I often rely on using that end of the reed to easily move the reed up and down slightly as needed.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2025-11-15 18:27
Thank you for bringing this up again!
There is a NEW Legere reed available........the French Cut Soprano Saxophone reed. So I would guess (haven't ordered one yet) the ol' wide reed BUT with that weird double vamp cut. I recall that in the end I didn't get enough robustness from the French cut clarinet reeds. Could this solve that issue.....?
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-11-16 04:24
Older Selmer mouthpieces from the '40s and '50s have narrow facings that accept German and Austrian cut reeds, so no reason why Eb (and sopranino sax) reeds can't be used on them as well.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: David Eichler
Date: 2025-11-22 08:13
"Older Selmer mouthpieces from the '40s and '50s have narrow facings that accept German and Austrian cut reeds...."
Actually, a number of very experienced players use German or Austrian cut reeds successfully on modern French mouthpieces.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2025-12-08 15:18
I have gone up another quarter strength from the initial 2.75. Now I am using the 3.25 strength Legere French Cut Soprano Saxophone reed in place of what was my trusty 2.75 Signature Soprano Saxophone reed.
The results have been rather amazing. The ability to add more color to the sound just blooms now. It definitely sounds more like cane than previous Legere once I had begun to learn how to play the reed properly (less pushing of the air and more subtleties in the embouchure). The other interesting benefit is that the notes from high atissimo G (four lines above the staff) on up used to be mostly thin and uninteresting on Legere reeds. The French Cut reeds just have more body to those notes, still not perfectly cane like, but much better.
It's also worth noting that for the last week I've had a bad cold or flu or Covid 58, something that has made me NOT want to play. However, once I force myself to start in on this trial period..........I don't want to STOP playing! I am really enjoying the French cut Soprano Saxophone reeds......a lot.
So I'd love to hear from more of you Legere folks out there about what you think. These are quite something.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: SecondTry
Date: 2025-12-08 19:32
I truly enjoy reading your foray into creative uses for Legere reeds and strengths not always on-label indicated for Bb clarinet.
I hope you feel better.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2025-12-09 05:22
Well the use of soprano saxophone reeds came under scrutiny not long after the European Signature Legere reeds started gaining popularity. No less than Ricardo Morales recommended such noting that there was (for him) a quarter strength difference (soprano reeds being harder) and a slightly different sound/response from them.
This time around I think Legere may have found a solution for the defuse sound of the French cut on Bb clarinet reeds. One may never know if this was deliberate or not for clarinet players (why make these reeds longer?).
.............Paul Aviles
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