(Double Reeds). How do I fix leaking on my Lgre Oboe reed? The consistency of Legere reeds, as well as the payoff in price with how long they last make them a no-brainer for me. It's not that I think it's a better reed, it's just more suited to my style of playing maybe. I am proud to be a Saxgourmet Endorsing Artist ! So I like the American Cut Legere a little more than the signature cut. Very bright, and quite a few of the reeds I've bought since then are warped right out of the box and it doesn't come out, so the reed is unplayable. Also keep in mind that Legere reeds, like cane reeds, will react differently on different mouthpieces. There are many advantages to synthetic reeds, and we find the Legere to be the most popular amongst top players. The BetterSax YouTube channels videos have been watched by millions and thousands of students have made meaningful progress on their instrument thanks to BetterSax courses. I would recommend them in that order. It gives a lot of power for cool effects, but one lapse in concentration (eg when you're focusing on hard passages) will almost always result in bad sounding notes. JavaScript is disabled. Its a Rigotti Gold 2.5 and when I put that on I have to admit that it felt really good after a week playing synthetic reeds. Ive always loved the different styles and sounds, and have decided I would like to teach myself to play. The Studio Cut ranges from 2 and up to 4 or 3.5 with 0.5 or 0.25 increments, depending on the saxophone size. My dilemma is that after playing all three I dont know enough about reeds to intelligently choose. The comprehensive strength charts below compare popular cane strengths to the matching Lgre reed strength and cut. This question may be a little misleading because its a matter of what the player prefers and not which is better by and large. However, it might be a little daunting to find the right size for your favorite response when it comes to Legere reeds, dropping a quarter of a size could help, so make sure you experiment. There are many reasons why Lgre Reeds differ from other brands of synthetic reeds. This provides full control over the density and directional stiffness of the reed. (Single Reeds), Discontinued 1/4 strengths for Classic and Studio Cut. Start taking the play sax by ear crash course.This 6 part video course gets delivered via emailOver a week. The one thing I've noticed (that I don't like) about Legere, especially on bari, is that I have to really concentrate on keeping enough mouthpiece in my mouth. The manufacturing of a Lgre reed is on par with some of the most delicate machining possible, cut on 4-axis CNC (computer numeric controlled) machines, like one might find in aerospace or other manufacturing with extreme tolerance requirements. I've played Fibracells on my alto Ponzol piece for about a year now and haven't looked back. Im afraid I dont have any suggestions for this. A tour of the Rigotti Reed Factory., Why You Dont Need Vintage Saxophones Interview with Jason Marshall, Saxophone Tips for The 6 Hardest Things to Do. My bassoon reed is falling off the bocal. I find that somehow these reeds make me feel like I am playing better. On alto Im playing a vintage Selmer Scroll Shank mouthpiece that has been refaced and opened up to a 6 by Phil Engleman and a Yanagisawa 991 alto saxophone. Lets get right into it. I started with a 2.75 and it was too hard. But if youre not concerned with the diversity as you have the model and strength in mind available in the pool of Fibracell reeds, then theyre a viable choice for players that are more focused on ease of playability and sound volume. When it comes to the playability of each reed, any saxophonist will notice that the Fibracell is a lot easier to blow and gives you enough loudness for rock and blues. I have exchanged saxophone reeds with Legere in the past and its pretty fast and easy. Hi Saxdude. I was talking about cane reeds and he was introducing his plastic reeds. What makes Lgre Reeds different from other synthetic reeds? You must log in or register to reply here. So, they both have their time and place for me. Wet cane loses about 25% of its modulus of elasticity when wet, so Legeres reeds are set for the strength of wet cane, not dry cane. For some reason when I play on these reeds they take a bit of a toll on my lips which are already pretty sensitive. Although they have erased the results of all the voting It was pretty clear that most people could not really tell which reed was synthetic and which was natural cane. Moreover, both its projection and response are solid, while its flexible enough for beginners yet provides enough strength levels for more well-versed players. Legeres are rich, darker, mellow sounding reeds. 9.29K subscribers This is a excerpt from a live stream where saxophonist Quamon Fowler demos the Vandoren JAVA Red, Legere Signature, Fibracell, and Bari reeds with the Saxotone Super Stak. So if you want to give them a try, here are some links to purchase them on Amazon: Legere Signature Alto Saxophone ReedLegere Signature Tenor Saxophone Reed. Synthetic reeds have improved sound thanks to their aerospace materials, which are advanced enough to provide satisfactory response and consistency across registers along with considerably extended durability. Glad you have found setups that work well. The 1.5 is really easy to play in the middle of the range, but gets pretty wonky on low stuff (Im playing a tenor). The material Lgre reeds are made from also undergoes a completely unique, and proprietary, procedure, which orients the synthetic material on a molecular level. Lets listen to example number 3, you can hear the final reed around 03:40. There are a lot of advantages. I have been using Signature reeds for 2 and 1/2 years with no problems, they seem to loose something in tone or response (that I find difficult to define further) after about 6 months of averaging an hour a day of playing., I spit one when I was cack handed and it still played. I equally don't abuse reeds, but I felt reluctant to spend about 30 on experimenting further. Are Synthetic Reeds Better than Cane Reeds? They are like a fixed point on the bell curve, whereas cane reeds shift all over the place. Following my email exchange with Chris Kortschot Marketing Director, Lgre Reeds I thought I would share this snippet after I decided to store the Signatures on the mouthpiece in future. Any help would be so appreciated as I have only 30 days to choose a winner and exchange the others. However, the Legere reed strength chart is off for me. Beginners DVD and our now famous Beginners Starter Pack with huge discounts. You are using an out of date browser. The 2.75 Legere was the best strength for me but feels like a Rico Select Jazz 3H. Check out "The Best Box of Reeds I've Ever Played." Also be sure to follow BetterSax on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to stay up to date with us for news, giveaways, and other saxophone tips and tricks. You mention reed strength and this is important. If they made them for sopranino I'd probably be using them on it too. What is the difference between Classic, Signature, Studio Cut and American Cut reeds for saxophones? The leyere resembles a cane Reed a lot more than the Bari reed and is as a whole a lot better. Ive been using both cane and synthetic. Use a Legere Studio Cut Classic if you want to dominate everything forever and wherever with no regard for ear protection or human decency. Just my opinion. I agree 100% with your review. Also be sure to follow BetterSax onFacebook,Instagram,LinkedIn, andYouTubeto stay up to date with us for news, giveaways, and other saxophone tips and tricks. I have been using Legere Signatures on alto for about a year although not exclusively as i have been using cane as well. Rarely do I find one that is less than 85% consistent. It balances between dark and bright tones, so you can play whatever register and pitch. Dont worry if you choose the wrong strength, we would be happy to exchange it for you for the correct one within 30 days of purchase and a receipt. The matrix is as follows: The Signature ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 with 0.5 increments. I've only tried the older ones, not the premiums. I also like the feel of it. It is a very good perspective on the subject. TheAC seems to cover the . Andy Andrews in Hawaii. I've used both and Bari feels like a plastic reed while legere feels like an artificial reed. I play 3 vandoren reeds, 2.75 legere and the Bari reed I used was hard and it was still too soft. What do you think of Synthetic Reeds? However, the more I play the legere the less I notice the difference. Now I know some of you out there who play Legere reeds have a staunch loyalty to them and feel compelled to try to convert everyone to your side. I might compare them to Lavoz. They average about $20 per reed. Thanks James. Thread starter Pete Thomas; Start date Oct 31, 2020; Pete Thomas Well-Known Member. Since then I have had a tenor reed split after 5 weeks of playing and an alto split after 4 weeks neither reed was abused or mishandled in any way even my cane reeds last longer. The Legere reeds are so smooth that I find, if I'm not paying attention, I'm soon playing on the tip of them mouthpiece. I'm new to Lgre, what reed should I buy? Thanks for sharing. Funny thing is I always go back to my Rico Select Jazz Of the two I much prefer Bari but I play only Fibracell. As a matter of fact, the Signature and Studio Cut are two of the best alto saxophone reeds out there. []What exactly are the main differences in sound and reed strength and all that between these 2 brands?[]. What makes Lgre Reeds different from other synthetic reeds? Blowing very hard very high about 3-4 mm long. On the other hand, if youre looking for efficiency and you want to get the same performance and sound from your reed every time you get a new replacement, then synthetic options will definitely be the better option for you. But I hate reeds, with a passion. Among these reasons are materials used, manufacturing methods, and others. What is a good setup for marching band clarinet? For our full range of products, check out www.dawkes.co.ukCheck out Alastair's YouTube Profile: https://www.youtube.com/user/alastairpenman ( Not a happy event) the Legeres are in my opinion absolutely identical no matter when or where you get them (ie the 3 you played today plays exactly the same as the 3 played a month ago) and that and their longevity is what has sold me on Legeres. From the selection the store had when I bought mine to . What is the difference between Classic, Signature, Studio Cut and American Cut reeds for saxophones? What is the difference between saxophone mouthpiece tip openings? When I originally made this video, my answer was definitively no. Ive just today spent almost 40 for two boxes of 5 tenor reeds in each. Over 80 backing tracks (mp3). Ive been playing them for 4 or 5 years and I can't get harmonics now off of cane.LOL. Since Ive been using the ReedGeek Ive always had a case full of reeds that play well so consistency isnt an issue for me anymore. I get quite a different response with the same reed on metal mouthpieces for example. Thanks, Im going to try to get some fibracells for a future test. Can I visit the Lgre manufacturing facility? Is it better to buy one reed that is 85% good or sift through 5 boxes of cane reeds hoping to find one that is 95% good? Jazz teaching: too much emphasis on the 50s? It's also worse for the higher the register of the saxophone, so appropriately enough, Bari reeds work really well on baritone saxophones (I'm pretty much on alto exclusively these days). As a matter of fact, its the choice for both jazz and classical players of all experience levels, whether novices or pros. ", Fibracell is the best synthetic. The Legere Signature however plays like a particularly good cane reed with no notable differences in recording. Remember your choice in each poll as Im going to tell you which reed was which later on. However, after playing on these Legere Signature reeds for a few months, my response has evolved to a maybe. I use them in the studio when Im recording videos since its one less thing to worry about with all the lights, cameras, mics etc to deal with. The best strategy is to try one half strength higher or lower than what you are using to see if it makes a difference. Everything I can do on a cane reed, I can also play on a Legere signature reed. Legere Studio Cut vs. Signature: Which Reed is Better? Why so many Bari Sax Solos in Christmas Songs. Sirvalorsax said it was extremely bright which is awesome. Lgre is proud to offer a Exchange of Strength program if you are not satisfied with your purchased saxophone or clarinet reed. Whats the Difference Between Synthetic and Cane Reeds? Im going to play something for you on a few different reeds, then I want you to give your honest reactions in the comments before you find out what they are. Yamaha YDS-150 Digital Instrument in a Sax-like Body. As the founder of BetterSax.com Jays mission is to help developing saxophone players break away from traditional music learning methods and discover a more efficient, practical and fun way to become a Better Sax player. PPT mouthpieces. Synthetic reeds are a nice alternative to cane ones as they spare you the need for maintenance, and you can skip looking through a whole box of them to find just the right one. How can I fix this? Youre not going to know which reed Im playing. What a difference especially playing outside. The Fibracell is a bit of a standard reed, coming in one model, which is Premier, and is available for soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones. use to play plasticcover 2 1/2 . I hope there hasn't been a drop in manufacturing quality recently. Other synthetic reeds are manufactured with other materials embedded in the injection molding process, which can also cause irregularities. Tenor sax. now play fibracell # 2's and love them . The Classic ranges from 2 to 3.5 with 0.5 increments. I would look at the Legere reed chart and go for .25 or .5 strength lower than what it suggests on both alto and tenor saxophone mouthpieces. How do I store my Lgre reed when not in use? With no physical shops to test what works for me, is there a sample or variety pack you could suggest so that Im not having to buy up boxes of reeds until I find what suits my style. Ive played both. Much louder and dare I say, synthetic ? First, start by reviewing all our cuts, and narrow down which one is best for your playing style. So I like the American Cut Legere a little more than the signature cut. I have three children a wife and full time career. What is the playability of a Lgre reed? Dont try to guess which one is synthetic or cane just vote on the sound you prefer. This one is the third one in the comparison video here. What is the difference between Classic, Signature and European cuts? Legere and Bari feel very plasticky. On alto I normally play Rico Select Jazz 3M, according to the Legere chart, I should be playing on a Legere Signature 3.25. The American Cut ranges from 1.5 to 4 with 0.25 increments. Its probably a reed strength issue. I regularly play Fibracells and Legeres. I went out and purchased Legere Signature Synthetic Reed for my tenor. These changes make the Signature Series reeds more flexible across the tip, producing a full spectrum of overtones and a beautiful sound with minimum effort. Legere do not feel as natural. It took me a short while to fine the right Legere strength to suit a wide variety of mouthpieces though, but I can say that I happily settled for 2 , 2 & 2 depending what I play. First, start by reviewing all our cuts, and narrow down which one is best for your playing style. Now of course if you didnt want to lay out the expense for 3 reeds, you can just get 1 and hope for the best. I filled out the Exchange of Strength form but can't hit "Submit". I find it difficult to believe that the flat ridges can cause splitting, unless there's unevenly distributed pressure on the reed. If youre looking for an unquestionable response without compromising on projection, you wont find anything better than the Signature. I think I will go with Lgre. Free when you order books, DVDs or CDs More JavaScript is disabled. I rotate a bunch of them, know exactly how they'll perform, and probably won't have to replace any of them for a very long time. Bought some Bari Stars eventually, then was turned on to Lgre by a private teacher. Why Are Alto Saxophone MPCs So Expensive? Im back on cane. Get it Jan 12 - 17. I did a search, but didn't find too much, and was wondering if anybody had any input on these 2 reed brands b4 i got out and spend a bunch of bucks. How do I store my Lgre reed when not in use? Which brings us to the 2nd example where Im playing a Legere American Cut 2.5. Selmer AS500 Review: What You Didnt Know. Very helpful. I would purchase 3 different strengths a quarter size apart and then once youve determined the correct strength for you, send the other 2 in to be replaced with your preferred strength. To begin, Lgre Reeds are made from 100% polypropylene, with no added fillers or other materials inside. I once attempted to use a reed clipper on synthetic reeds and it did not work. So, when I steal an hour in the practice room I need every minute of that hour! Generally speaking, the softness that the Studio Cut reeds have to offer is superior, and thats why they have much more solid projection than their counterparts and are quite easy to play. What strength reed should I play on my mouthpiece? Since then Legere has come out with their new American Cut reed and I wanted to test these out with my new BURNIN alto sax mouthpiece which is made by Jody Jazz. What is a good setup for classical chamber and solo clarinet? On alto, the bari reed won't let me play lower than like an A. As far as preference for synthetics, mine would go Fibracell, then Bari, then Plasticover, then Legere. How can I fix this? Among these reasons are materials used, manufacturing methods, and others. A little over 2 years ago I made a video comparing Legere Signature synthetic reeds to cane reeds. Other than that no problems for me. Check out The Best Box of Reeds Ive Ever Played.. It could be in my head. Advantages of Synthetic Reeds On the plus side, every reed plays without fail. Lets move on to example number 2, you can hear it around 02:33. if you start playing fibracells (I play fibracells sometimes on both tenor and alto) get yourself mouthpieces that with a cane reeds are a bit darker than you would like, fibracells add some edge (they tend to emphasize the higher harmonics of each note). I get the feeling that quite a few people try Legere reeds out for the first time, but dont have the right strength and then they decide that they dont like synthetic and move on. 2 yr. ago. These are practical questions for player and there is no best answer. Free shipping for many products! I think the Legere Signature reeds are great, and every saxophone and clarinet player should give them a try. As the founder of BetterSax.com Jays mission is to help developing saxophone players break away from traditional music learning methods and discover a more efficient, practical and fun way to become a Better Sax player. Commercial Supporter . I also find them comfortable to play. We're glad you're here! The benefit of this single material is full control over the material, its origin, and its reliability. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. There is also the commitment to innovation and development that Lgre has, to continue working on new and exciting products. Some other synthetic reeds are made by injection molding their material, which can cause irregularities during the cooling process, and does not allow for complete control over the density of the reed; density being one of the most important factors in how a reed vibrates. What is a good setup for classical saxophone? Saxophone tutorials - beginners to advanced. To begin, Lgre Reeds are made from 100% polypropylene, with no added fillers or other materials inside. Sold by MusicWarehouse and ships from Amazon Fulfillment. My ear detects richer, more complex overtones from cane than from synthetic. I filled out the Exchange of Strength form but can't hit "Submit". So, is a little stuffy better than too loose? Required fields are marked *. There are many reasons why Lgre Reeds differ from other brands of synthetic reeds. Having used it, I have to agree with their assessment regarding strength however, it sounds totally different to the cane reeds. This item Legere Alto Sax Reed Signature 3.0 (ASSS3.0) D'Addario VENN G2 Synthetic Alto Saxophone Reeds - Alto Sax Reeds with Advanced Synthetic Reed Construction of Polymer Fibers, Resin, Natural Cane - Strength 3.0. Tonewise, pretty much everyone has said legere's are a bit darker and mellower than fibracells, but does anyone have any experience with the legere studio cuts? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I've submitted my exchange form on the website, but haven't heard back. I like the Fibracell on my open STM, prefer Legere studios on my other tenor mpcs, and have settled on Legere Quebec for clarinet. The sound your saxophone produces is highly dependent on the sizes of open chambers of different parts of the instrument, but when it comes to the reed, its about how it vibrates against the mouthpiece. So, to my question I sent away for three of the Legere reeds. And in this article, Ill delve into the differences and similarities between the Studio Cut vs Signature reeds by Legere. Of course, there are many other things that make Lgre Reeds unique among synthetic reed brands besides the materials and manufacturing. From what I've played, the Bari is stiffer and cheaper than the legere. Your email address will not be published. As an emergency fix, if you can't voice it down, close the low B key for D2 and E2. Its all I play now. Why so many Bari Sax Solos in Christmas Songs. I have to drive over an hour one way, just to reach civilization. In this video top UK pro Alastair Penman discusses and demonstrates the Legere Signature #3.25 vs Vandoren Traditional #3 Alto Sax reeds. Also be sure to follow BetterSax on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube to stay up to date with us for news, giveaways, and other saxophone tips and tricks. Keep in mind that one of these examples will be a cane reed. AS a Legere endorser I have made them aware of this thread. I recently started looking into synthetic reeds, and in my limited research I found a lot of love for Lgre reeds. Hoping the strengths are good, if not, I will use the exchange program. Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think. Consistency is very important when youre performing. Saxophone - Reed Strength Comparison Chart Clarinet - Reed Strength Comparison Chart How do I get a better tone on saxophone and clarinet. The Signature ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 with 0.5 increments. 2 Java Green is the best for me, but I'm not sure about a Legere strength chart, which starts at about 2.5 Java. Cane ones are better if you have the patience to go through a bunch of them and choose the one with the best performance. I did find it unusual. Reed #1 - Legere Signature 2.75 Reed #2 - Rico Select Jazz 3H Interested in more content about saxophone reeds? So, despite the resistance that makes the Legere reeds harder to blow and feel stuffy, youll get the best intonation out of them. Thanks for that reply. I'm new to Lgre, what reed should I buy? No going back to cane for me, the positives of Legere far outpacing the negatives! What is a good setup for marching band clarinet? However, I live in the middle of nowhere. in the last 5 years I have split one older Signature. The nice thing about Legeres reeds is their consistency. Can I wear lipstick/ lip balm with Lgre? 2.5 Reed:http://amzn.to/2BpzeeLFibracell FCTSP2.5 Premier Series Synthetic Reed for Tenor Saxophone, 2.5 Strength:http://amzn.to/2BpyYMIBari Star Tenor Saxophone Medium Reedhttp://amzn.to/2BqTYD7Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=JazzWebShedOfficial Websitehttp://www.TeXas10erMusicAcademy.comSocial Networks:https://www.facebook.com/QJazzWebShedhttp://www.instagram.com/quamon_fowlerhttps://twitter.com/texas10er