Beginner Saxes Legere Reeds

[Smicker]

Yes agree they are better top end than any cane imo, what i find is to leave it after a week or so then go back to it and it plays like new again - thats why you are better having 2/3 when you can.

 

[Chersax]

Go for it! I’m a relative beginner. Consistency of the synthetic reeds is definitely one less variable when you need all the help you can get. I prefer Legere Signature over American Cut. Maybe personal preference. And been happy with a 2 for a couple of years now. No need to be macho about reed strength I think.

 

[jazz cat]

Go for it! I’m a relative beginner. Consistency of the synthetic reeds is definitely one less variable when you need all the help you can get. I prefer Legere Signature over American Cut. Maybe personal preference. And been happy with a 2 for a couple of years now. No need to be macho about reed strength I think.

Can you tell me why you prefer Signature over American Cut? Am a beginner (4 months?) and I use a Vandoren 2.5 Black strength....Thanks!

 

[Ballymenaboy]

My preference is American Cut..I think they are the most responsive of Legere reeds and can work with soft jazz to raspy rock..a personal preference that may not suit others

 

[eb424]

Hi @Selmer10G..I completely agree re alignment..Got completely slated in a seperate thread so glad someone agrees..

 

[David Roach]

Don't waste your money, the Yamaha synthetics are terrible.

Reeds - Yamaha Synthetic Reeds

Yeah, good to know. But I'd have to win the lottery before trying them since they're double the price of Legere.

cafesaxophone.com

Looking back at this thread I remembered that I had posted about the Yamaha plastic reeds - and in fact completely misunderstood the point of them! The Yamaha reeds are for use with their electronic wind instruments, NOT with real instruments. Not a wonder they didn't work on a sax mouthpiece!
Whilst I'm slightly embarrassed to say I didn't realize that straight away, I find it strange that the retailer I got them from didn't make that distinction - who knows, perhaps they didn't realize either.

 

[greenstripe]

Looking back at this thread I remembered that I had posted about the Yamaha plastic reeds - and in fact completely misunderstood the point of them! The Yamaha reeds are for use with their electronic wind instruments, NOT with real instruments. Not a wonder they didn't work on a sax mouthpiece!
Whilst I'm slightly embarrassed to say I didn't realize that straight away, I find it strange that the retailer I got them from didn't make that distinction - who knows, perhaps they didn't realize either.

I've posted in the Yamaha Synthetic Reed thread. There is a range of synthetic reeds designed for acoustic alto and tenor saxophones and a model of reed that ships with the digital saxophones that is designed NOT to vibrate under normal playing conditions. The YDS reed is easily distinguished as it has a crescent shaped cut out in the butt and no strength designation

 

[David Roach]

I've posted in the Yamaha Synthetic Reed thread. There is a range of synthetic reeds designed for acoustic alto and tenor saxophones and a model of reed that ships with the digital saxophones that is designed NOT to vibrate under normal playing conditions. The YDS reed is easily distinguished as it has a crescent shaped cut out in the butt and no strength designation

In that case my review was correct and the Yamaha synthetic reeds were dreadful.

 

[greenstripe]

In that case my review was correct and the Yamaha synthetic reeds were dreadful.

I didn't say they were any good 😀

 

[Ivan]

The YDS reed is easily distinguished as it has a crescent shaped cut out in the butt...

... Only if you know where to look for a reed's butt

Quite an anatomical find on a sliver of plastic

 

[greenstripe]

... Only if you know where to look for a reed's butt

Quite an anatomical find on a sliver of plastic

Some people call it the heel, which is just as well ...if it had been the elbow, that would be really confusing.

 

[wooster]

I hope it's all right to resurrect this old thread, but I had a period of inactivity due to some physical problems and I've just got back to the Sax.

I feel like I'm starting again with my embouchure and I need to build up my muscles. I have an old stack of cane reeds but can't find any Legeres which I'm sure I had somewhere. Anyway, looking at their site, Legere recommend newbies to start with a 2 or 2.5 which seems a bit excessive to me. I'm wondering if they've adjusted their reeds in some way or whether this would be appropriate.

It would be a bit of a leap for me as I've started off with a Ricoh 1.5 on a Tenor ! I'm figuring that this reed should do me for a few weeks until I get my gob working properly. So far so good with it, the only thing is that when i play an octave on a D note ( and to a lesser extent on an A )there's a tendency for a sort of growly squeak which I can tame by blowing softer. I don't know if this is the reed, the sax, or me.

I reckon the answer is stick with the 1.5 and then experiment with a 2 in cane before leaping into synthetic. Good plan?

 

[eb424]

I hope it's all right to resurrect this old thread, but I had a period of inactivity due to some physical problems and I've just got back to the Sax.

I feel like I'm starting again with my embouchure and I need to build up my muscles. I have an old stack of cane reeds but can't find any Legeres which I'm sure I had somewhere. Anyway, looking at their site, Legere recommend newbies to start with a 2 or 2.5 which seems a bit excessive to me. I'm wondering if they've adjusted their reeds in some way or whether this would be appropriate.

It would be a bit of a leap for me as I've started off with a Ricoh 1.5 on a Tenor ! I'm figuring that this reed should do me for a few weeks until I get my gob working properly. So far so good with it, the only thing is that when i play an octave on a D note ( and to a lesser extent on an A )there's a tendency for a sort of growly squeak which I can tame by blowing softer. I don't know if this is the reed, the sax, or me.

I reckon the answer is stick with the 1.5 and then experiment with a 2 in cane before leaping into synthetic. Good plan?

Why not try the best of both worlds...a 2 rico plasticover they last well...( 1 1/2 if more appropriate)..

 

[wooster]

Good idea. I will have a look at one of these. By the way I'm using a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece

 

[eb424]

Good idea. I will have a look at one of these. By the way I'm using a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece

maybe the 1.5 then but if possible I would get 1 of each to try.. They do sound a bit brittle when first using but once broken in I think they are quite dark and very consistant.. For me It's nice just to be able to pick up a sax and play..

 

[MikeMorrell]

Hi,

I know these reeds have been discussed on here a few times but mostly a couple of years ago and there seems to have been new developments in their range since then. I'm also particularly interested in knowing if they would suit my own circumstances.

I'm a beginner and, without trying to be a sax heretic, the subtleties of different reed tones don't seem as important to me as the chance of getting rid of one variable in my learning process. I don't really know enough to pick a good or bad reed from a pack and to know if one's worn out or not. I also am tempted to buy a lot of different ones in an attempt to magically improve my tone.

I thought I'd avoid this if I stuck with one reed for a few months while I concentrated on building up my basic skills - including getting as good a tone as I can from the reed I'm using. I reckon I can worry about the reed's individual tonal character later.

I also thought Legere would be a cost-effective option if I followed this plan. I'm contemplating trying an American Cut reed as according to Legere's website they are the freest blowing of them all. Legere also recommends a no 2 for beginners.

Am I onto something or heading down the wrong path?

I can't find my original post on this topic, but in summary:
- When I tried to order (online) some Legere reeds from my local sax supplier/repairer (Ilse) she said 'no' (and blocked my order)
- Her arguments were that a) Legere reeds come in different strengths and cuts, b) I should first come into her shop and try out different strengths and cuts and c) she didn't want to sell anything to me on-line that might be unsuitable or might disappoint me.

I've known Ilse for almost 10 years and we get on well. I respect her skills, her 'customer focus' (doing minor repairs quickly and for free) and her personal and business integrity. We get on personally too. Her focus is always on long-term 'customer satisfaction' rather than making the most profit on each customer interaction. As a business it's still thriving but TBH I truly believe that this much less due to a 'business strategy' than to Ilse. Her business is an expression of her personality. Notably her integrity and customer focus.

So when my 'on-line order' was refused by Ilse, I wasn't at all angry or frustrated. I just thought "yes, this is Ilse making sure that her customers get precisely what they need and want.

I still have tens of 'cane reeds' so I haven't yet been back to Ilse. But I will be in the coming week 'cos a couple of keys sometimes stick.

 

[lydian]

I reckon the answer is stick with the 1.5 and then experiment with a 2 in cane before leaping into synthetic. Good plan?

Yes. Since synthetic lasts so much longer than cane and is quite expensive, your embouchure will get stronger long before a synthetic wears out. A typical player with a strong embouchure would be comfortable on a 3.5-4 Rico on a 4C. Unless your lungs are unusually weak, I can easily see you working up to a 2.5-3, at least, in a month or two of dedicated practice.

 

[wooster]

Thank you both. I would like an Ilse but the Netherlands is a bit of a trek!

I hope I can strengthen my embouchure quickly but my trouble is a) that I’m ancient and b) I have a weird version of hyper- mobility that affects the joints throughout my body so I need to be a bit careful to avoid strain and injury. Ive had jaw problems in the past so I’m a bit paranoid and tend to be cautious.

 

[greenstripe]

You can buy Legere reeds online and they still do free exchanges if you've bought the wrong strength

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