I shall keep an eye. Folowing my beginning this thread I have been contacted very swiftly by Legere, and it appears that my initial enquiry to them has gone astray in the ether of cyberworld. I've played them on every horn except tenor and they've all worked well. Well it is the Better Sax alto saxophone. Can I visit the Lgre manufacturing facility? This pairing feels comfortable for me, I can play in tune and . Rarely do I find one that is less than 85% consistent. Why are reeds so expensive? Whether you opt for the alto or tenor reed, the strengths available for the Studio Cut reeds start from 1.50 and increase in 0.5 increments up to 3.5. Perhaps it is because the legere has worn in a bit? Plenty of saxophonists commend its performance, no matter the genre of music youre planning to play. What makes Lgre Reeds different from other synthetic reeds? SaxHQ.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The nice thing about Legeres reeds is their consistency. I've heard some players say they don't want this from a reed. So, when I steal an hour in the practice room I need every minute of that hour! To learn more about our exchange policy, click here. Im still on the initial reeds having played them on average 3 4x/week for 30 since I purchased them. However, their response isnt as good as that of the Signature reeds, though they spare you the overtones, which is a huge benefit. Now if youre wondering about the selection I just played for you it comes from a new etude book from Adam Larson called Little Leaps and Sounds. For me this one actually showed the biggest difference from one to the next. Lets listen to example number 3, you can hear the final reed around 03:40. The legeres are more 'legit' in my opinion and play great in more traditional classical and jazz playing. They average about $20 per reed. What is the playability of a Lgre reed? Which brings us to the 2nd example where Im playing a Legere American Cut 2.5. Maybe it is just because that is what I learned on. You mention reed strength and this is important. So I like the American Cut Legere a little more than the signature cut. I was talking about cane reeds and he was introducing his plastic reeds. Pretty much wouldn't use them for much besides marching band (which I haven't done in forever). From the selection the store had when I bought mine to . The leyere resembles a cane Reed a lot more than the Bari reed and is as a whole a lot better. Aren't they meant to be a bit brighter? Required fields are marked *. Use a Legere Studio Cut Classic if you want to dominate everything forever and wherever with no regard for ear protection or human decency. What is a good setup for marching band saxophone? PPT hand made in the UK. I'm new to Lgre, what reed should I buy? AS a Legere endorser I have made them aware of this thread. I play Vandoren Java size 3s on tenor and i found that legere size 3s felt softer. Its certainly nice to be able to pull out your horn after traveling all day and not have to worry if your reed is going to play. Selmer AS500 Review: What You Didnt Know. The ball is in their court My tenor reed also split after about 3 months. However, as I pick my alto up and down a lot, the convenience of Legere synthetic (2.25) is huge. A Signature 2, American Cut 1.5 and American Cut 1.75. The first clip was one of the 2.25 Legere American cut reed s on a 7 tip opening BetterSax Burnin mouthpiece. There is also a subtle warmth to cane that legere signature is missing. I play 3 vandoren reeds, 2.75 legere and the Bari reed I used was hard and it was still too soft. I still feel as though the Legere reeds are lacking a certain warmth and graininess that you can get with cane. I think the Legere Signature reeds are great, and every saxophone and clarinet player should give them a try. I have to drive over an hour one way, just to reach civilization. I usually dedicate the different brands to different mouthpieces. Cane reeds. I might be old enough that Lgre didn't exist when I was growing up. For now though, I am sticking with the legere signature, and here is why I am not a professional musician. This way you will still have a reed to use while youre making the exchange. Use the comment section below to share your thoughts on what you heard. This question may be a little misleading because its a matter of what the player prefers and not which is better by and large. 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. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Cane reeds are a study in statistics, but when the statistics are in your favor, they will always beat out a synthetic reed, at least until we know how to microtune reeds (we are working on it see my work or Pierre Taillard and his claripatches, but we arent there,yet). I started with a 2.75 and it was too hard. A tour of the Rigotti Reed Factory.. PPT mouthpieces. What strength reed should I play on my mouthpiece? 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 and Oleg Ligatures. On alto, the bari reed wont let me play lower than like an A. Fibracell, and Vandoren. I have Studio and Signature Lgres of the same force, they aren't as good. She hadn't heard of Lgre. I filled out the Exchange of Strength form but can't hit "Submit". Its probably a reed strength issue. This one would be a better match if I was playing the 5 or 6 tip opening. 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). 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. I think they are a great fit for a lot of people. This full control allows for production of reeds of any size, strength, or design that is possible and no other synthetic reed brand is known to utilize the same procedure in their materials development. Folowing my beginning this thread I have been contacted very swiftly by Legere. Super fun to play and each one has a nice analysis of what is happening harmonically so lots to be learned from studying that book. Your email address will not be published. I found an old 2.5 rico royal and loved it! I hope there hasn't been a drop in manufacturing quality recently. If they made them for sopranino I'd probably be using them on it too. SaxHQ.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. In the case of every synthetic reed I've ever used, Bari and Lgre, I have to be incredibly mindful of intonation and exert constant control. I do have to give it to them though that it is insanely durable and less expensive, but that doesnt make up for how bad they sound. What is a good setup for classical saxophone? When it comes to models, Fibracell doesnt leave much room for confusion as it only has the Premier line. Ive played both. Any suggestions? What is the playability of a Lgre reed? There are many adva. Thanks! I'm new to Lgre, what reed should I buy? The first aspect that distinguishes synthetic reeds from cane ones is that the latter is natural, which makes room for a widespread when it comes to different items, and not just a variance between models. I think my comfort level on that one comes through clearly in the recording. Tried the signature and saved a lot of time I normally need to feel good with a reed. My strength has been discontinued - what should I play now? My cane reed of choice is a Rico Jazz 2 Medium. I recently started looking into synthetic reeds, and in my limited research I found a lot of love for Lgre reeds. 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. 2 yr. ago. What about fibracell. Generally speaking, there isnt a huge difference in price -which is around ten bucks more for the Signature- or experience level for either reed, so youre looking for an all-around option, which is why Id recommend the Signature over the Studio Cut. Lets kick it off straight away with example 1, flip to the video around 01:32 for this example. Legeres reeds are the best of the plastic reeds, because they closely mimic cane reed. Among the best synthetic reeds are Fibracell and Legere, and in this article, Ill compare the two brands in order to help you choose the one that would suit your purposes more. ( 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. Thank you for your input. In this video top UK pro Alastair Penman discusses and demonstrates the Legere Signature #3.25 vs Vandoren Traditional #3 Alto Sax reeds. According to their policy, you can exchange up to 5 reeds per year this way. "After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music." Andy Andrews in Hawaii. In Stock. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Cane ones are better if you have the patience to go through a bunch of them and choose the one with the best performance. What is the difference between saxophone mouthpiece tip openings? Check out The Best Box of Reeds Ive Ever Played.. What is a good setup for marching band clarinet? Just my opinion. I have exchanged saxophone reeds with Legere in the past and its pretty fast and easy. Reeds Comparison Legere American Cut vs D'Addario Select Jazz. 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. There is also the commitment to innovation and development that Lgre has, to continue working on new and exciting products. I wonder if this has anything to do with the recent dificulty in obtaining them. The bari exposes *a lot* of reed to your lips and tongue, and I just cant stand the feel of a reed that feels like plastic in my mouth. and Ill give you my thoughts on these at the end. Andy, the synthetic reeds do soften up after a while like cane reeds, so if youre going to play the same reed for a while, it may be better to have it start ever so slightly harder than the ideal. To my ears, these reeds are opposites. I have a spare Fibracell (alto 3.5) Id like to make harder. 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. 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). What do you think of Synthetic Reeds? After practicing with them I have 2 deep red marks on my lips. Going through the cane reed process prior to practicing takes time. Thanks for all the great videos. As far as the strength ratings are concerned, even for cane reeds, these are fictions based on some very elementary tests. If youre looking for an unquestionable response without compromising on projection, you wont find anything better than the Signature. 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 know many great players who are very happy with their Legere reeds and wont be going back to cane. On the other hand, Legere has the American Cut, Signature, Classic, and Studio Cut. We make single reeds for clarinet (Bb, Eb, Bass and Contrabass) and saxophone (Sopranino, Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, Bass) in a variety of cuts and strengths to accommodate different skill levels and playing styles. Anything made by Rico, Daddario, Vandoren is good quality. JavaScript is disabled. I filled out the Exchange of Strength form but can't hit "Submit". I still use cane occasionally but I mostly use the synthetic. Lgre is always working to give musicians the Freedom to Perform. Legeres are rich, darker, mellow sounding reeds. The 3 Legere feels more like a Rico Select Jazz 4S and the stronger reeds are much too hard for my setup. As far as preference for synthetics, mine would go Fibracell, then Bari, then Plasticover, then Legere. I'm new to Lgre, what reed should I buy? However, the other day my band director mentioned her synthetic reed, which was made by a company called Bari, and she said she loved it. Quote: It's true that our reeds are best stored on a glassy surface so if your cases are textured then you definitely made the best choice. Required fields are marked *. If its too resistant get a softer reed. 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. However, is it enough to de-throne the classic Vandoren?For our FULL GUIDE and to see the latest Sax Reed Market Stats, check out: https://www.dawkes.co.uk/sound-room/synthetic-vs-cane-reeds-for-saxophone/Subscribe for more Sax related videos from Dawkes Music. I have bought half a dozen over the last year including 2 new alto 3 1/4's and they all have worked a dream. What is a good setup for classical chamber and solo clarinet? Lets get right into it. Very helpful. However, I live in the middle of nowhere. Advantages of Synthetic Reeds On the plus side, every reed plays without fail. In this video top UK pro Alastair Penman discusses and demonstrates the Legere Signature #3.25 vs Vandoren Traditional #3 Alto Sax reeds. On tenor I found the same thing. Your email address will not be published. The Legere Signature reed strength chart is in a league of its own. As an emergency fix, if you can't voice it down, close the low B key for D2 and E2. 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. Kali (008) theory/prediction I want to post before S (On request) Pictures of my moms old Baritone that I try A goofy Bari Sax cover of Wanted Dead Or Alive by Bon Jovi, Trying to play something interesting on two boring chords. Your own personal comfort level. The Legere ones are more diverse and give you more options to choose from. Thanks for the heads up. On alto, the bari reed won't let me play lower than like an A. Problem is, you can't really back off or push with the reed. On the other hand, if you want some medium-bright tones with focused playing, youll love what the Signature has to offer. Alright time to comment below with your reactions to those 3 clips. I hope to graduate to your big time lessons sometime soon. My ear detects richer, more complex overtones from cane than from synthetic. As I get used to the feel of the Legere the less I miss using cane. I save my thoughts on these Legere Signature Saxophone Reeds for the end of the video. Hi Saxdude. This one is the third one in the comparison video here. Legere do not feel as natural. Check out Why are reeds so expensive? Played all month then lost it see through is probably not the best colour ?. So, to my question I sent away for three of the Legere reeds. (Double Reeds). The strengths range from 1 to 5 with 0.5 increments. I want you to listen carefully and then vote in the on screen poll for the reed you prefer the sound of. I've tried Legeres on tenor and alto and neither worked well. Has anyone played both, and could they share what they thought of them? Its very subtle but important to me. Can I visit the Lgre manufacturing facility? Pete Thomas CDs and recordings. There are many advantages to synthetic reeds, and we find the Legere to be the most popular amongst top players. The Synthetic reefs are ideal for doubling ,I find myself having to go from Clarinet to flute ,Alto sax, Picc and soprano sax .multiple times in the Pit. Theyll get back to you with instructions on where to send your reed and then they send you a replacement. If youre a touring musician you dont always have time to prepare reeds before a show. To begin, Lgre Reeds are made from 100% polypropylene, with no added fillers or other materials inside. For ALL Saxophonists -- professionals, hobbyists, and appreciators alike. 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. About the Author 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. I'm new to Lgre, what reed should I buy? 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. Ive been using both cane and synthetic. This is important because as a rule synthetic reeds are not cheap. Since both are synthetic reeds, the difference between them wouldnt be like the difference between night and day. I went out and purchased Legere Signature Synthetic Reed for my tenor. 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. I agree 100% with your review. Why do some players prefer stronger reeds? No going back to cane for me, the positives of Legere far outpacing the negatives! It could be in my head. We're glad you're here! I tried Legere years ago but was not impressed. What is a good setup for classical orchestral clarinet? Fibracells fell a lot like cane but they don't warp and last longer so I really like them. I find it brighter but very easy to control pianissimo too. Youre not going to know which reed Im playing. The material Lgre reeds are made from also undergoes a completely unique, and proprietary, procedure, which orients the synthetic material on a molecular level. How do Lgre Reeds differ from cane reeds? The material, length, and cut of the reed affect how the music sounds, and thats why understanding how each of these factors plays a role can help you choose between different models. Im back on cane. Lets move on to example number 2, you can hear it around 02:33. Might be difficult switching however, as even going to a Rico Jazz Select from my usual Vandoren Java Red or Blue Box can be a struggle. Lgre Tip: If youre an advanced or professional player, you will most likely need the Signature. Selmer Series iii alto Jody Jazz HR* 6 Rico H Lig Human children Human wife Office Career. Ive just today spent almost 40 for two boxes of 5 tenor reeds in each. When I originally made this video, my answer was definitively no. Legere signature synthetic saxophone reeds, The Best Box of Reeds Ive Ever Played., Why You Dont Need Vintage Saxophones Interview with Jason Marshall, Saxophone Tips for The 6 Hardest Things to Do. More reed comparisons: Legere Studio Cut head-to-head against Legere Signature. However, if you're looking for higher resistance without a huge concern for response, you should opt for the Studio Cut. I am determined to use them until they feel natural, as I love the saxophone, love jazz, classical, and everything about music. 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. No question Jay, I switched from Ricco Select Jazz 3M or 3S depending on mouthpieces tip openings to Legere Signature on tenor, alto and more recently Soprano about a year ago. These include our individual testing of every reed on custom machinery to determine strength, or the delicate hand-finishing that goes into every reed. Start with 2.5 strength reeds. Legere Studio Cut vs. Signature: Which Reed is Better? Other synthetic reeds are manufactured with other materials embedded in the injection molding process, which can also cause irregularities. Im sorry but I absolutely despise Bari synthetic reeds with the whole of my heart. 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. Can I wear lipstick/ lip balm with Lgre? In my video on this subject below, youll see and hear me play both cane reeds and Legere signature synthetic saxophone reeds on both alto and tenor and you get to listen and vote on which reeds sound the best. Whats the Difference Between Synthetic and Cane Reeds? Bought some Bari Stars eventually, then was turned on to Lgre by a private teacher. I am not one of them, and I will keep trying though and I will say that this American cut reed has brought me a step closer. ", Fibracell is the best synthetic. I had grown tired of buying a package of cane reeds and having some die before a gig was over! I used to play on Plasticover 2 but it's a waste of money with 1 or 2 playable so if you want to get rid of your cane problems don't go with Plasticover. Im afraid I dont have any suggestions for this. Free when you order books, DVDs or CDs More JavaScript is disabled. 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. I think I will go with Lgre. Fibracell FCTSP3 Premier Series Synthetic Reed. Only 20 left in stock - order soon. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. What is a good setup for classical chamber and solo clarinet? What strength reed should I play on my mouthpiece? I am completely new to saxophone, never touched one. . 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. I am hoping to buy a Legere reed this week, perhaps a 2.0 Signature, and a 2.5 American Cut. I play 3 vandoren reeds, 2.75 legere and the Bari reed I used was hard and it was still too soft. use to play plasticcover 2 1/2 . The matrix is as follows: The Signature ranges from 1.5 to 3.5 with 0.5 increments. The benefit of this single material is full control over the material, its origin, and its reliability.