Reeds Legere signature reed strength

[Fortyniner]

Hi, I am wanting to get a Legere Signature reed to try out. I am hoping it will resolve my problems with cane as a beginner. I find a no 2 Java Green the best for me but looking at the Legere strength chart they start at about 2.5 Java. I don't think I could play that. From your experience is the chart accurate?

 

[sunsetandlabrea]

Pretty close for me. I played on 2.5 Rico Royals Alto, signature 2.25 is just below and 2.5 is just above according to their charts.

I bought both and preferred the 2.25, although both play pretty well.

 

[Mark Hancock]

I found them (legere signature, tenor) to be a bit harder than advertised. I tried 2, 2.25 and 2.5. I found the 2 and 2.25 to be very close, but the 2.5 seems quite a lot harder. I was playing jazz select 2H and now legere 2.25.

 

[Ne0Wolf7]

I don't know about about the legere reeds because I'm not a fan, but what are your issues with cane reeds?
Also, fibracells run very soft, so you should be able to match strength better with one of those.

 

[saxyjt]

Im not sure if we're talking alto or tenor or else, but my experience on tenor and baritone is that Légère are quite harder than cane. I went down from 3 to 2.5 on some mouthpieces and from 2.5 to 2 on the more open ones. I have no experience yet on alto or soprano but I'm looking forward to get some Légère for them too and will probably apply the same half step down approach... Unless told otherwise by people here who know best.

 

[Mostlytenor]

I too find them a bit harder than they say. It might be that a cane reed starts off about the same as a Legere sig. but then it softens whereas the Legere doesn't.

 

[Ivan]

Légère?

Well hard, innit

 

[Jazzaferri]

Go Here

Strength Charts

Premium Synthetic Woodwind Reeds

www.legere.com

Big difference between the Signatures and the other Legere reeds

 

[Oilpainter]

Legere lets you return reeds if you have the receipt, so you may want to buy a reed strength above and below what you anticipate your need and try them out.

 

[Jazzaferri]

I don't know about about the legere reeds because I'm not a fan, but what are your issues with cane reeds?
Also, fibracells run very soft, so you should be able to match strength better with one of those.

IMO Legere are the closest thing to real cane soundwise. As far as cane vs plastic goes...let me count the ways.......LOL

 

[Ken_Sturrock]

I, too, find Legeres to run a little "harder" than expected based on the number.

 

[Fortyniner]

I wanted to try the synthetic because I am struggling with the variability of the Java cane reeds. I have tried all the Vandoren no 2 jazz reeds and the Java seem the easiest to play. But if the Legere are harder than they are I think I had better stick with the Java cane. I used to soak them but I watched a video that advised it's better just to wet them in the mouth for a minute or two so they don't get waterlogged.

 

[Mark Hancock]

If you find Java 2.5 a too hard, you might find the Legere Sig. 2 a little on the hard side, but I'd say it's worth a try. Since switching to Legere I spend zero time thinking about reeds.

Another factor of course is the mouthpiece. Maybe try something a little more free blowing. There's probably a lot of useful info already in other threads about that subject.

 

[Fortyniner]

My mouthpiece is a Yamaha 4C so it's not a hard one to blow. I don't understand the mouthpiece terminology very well.

 

[GaryF]

My mouthpiece is a Yamaha 4C so it's not a hard one to blow. I don't understand the mouthpiece terminology very well.

I've only ever played a 6C yamaha mouthpiece - I do intend on having a try of some others, though. If you have a friendly music shop near you, might be a good idea to pop in with your sax and ask for a toot on some mouthpieces. You wouldn't buy a pint of a drink you've never had before without having a small sample taste first, I reckon the same goes with mouthpieces 🙂

 

[GaryF]

Go Here

Strength Charts

Premium Synthetic Woodwind Reeds

www.legere.com

Big difference between the Signatures and the other Legere reeds

Jazzaferri, thank you for this! It helped me make up my mind to try out a few different reeds. I'm about £20 out of pocket but am loving the new Java Green (sounds nicer than the Java Red on my tenor) -so, yeah, thanks 😎

 

[Jazzaferri]

You're welcome @GaryF Glad you got yourself sorted

 

[Fortyniner]

Hi I got a box of Rico Plasicover no 2 and am getting on quite well with these. They seem quite consistent and don't get waterlogged.

 

[GaryF]

Hi I got a box of Rico Plasicover no 2

I didn’t even know that plastic coated reeds was a thing!? @Jeanette - this forum is amazing!!!

View: https://youtu.be/ufBABX95agA

 

[Jeanette]

All thanks to @Pete Thomas 🙂

Jx