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Légère Reeds
Features of Légère Reeds:
• graded
• available in quarter strengths
• safe, can be sanitized
Benefits of Légère Reeds:
• vibrates like a cane reed
• ready to play – doesn’t need to be moistened
• precise strength, very consistent
• one reed can last for months, and therefore less expensive than cane reeds in the long term
Quick Notes:
• Most compare Bb Clarinet Standards to Vandoren Traditional Reeds, and Quebec Cut to Vandoren V12 Reeds.
• Bb Clarinet Quebec Cut produces a darker sound than standard
• Bb Clarinet Ontario Cut is designed to be more free blowing with less resistance and back pressure
• Studio Cut Saxophone Reeds are free blowing and brighter than the standard (players new to Légère should choose Studio Cut)
How do Légère Reeds differ from other synthetics?
Légère reeds are made from a special polymer compound with a very fine microtexture. They have low density, so that they float, like cane reeds. In fact, all the important properties are closely matched to those of damp cane. Because of the microtexture, we can machine very fine tips for the fantastic response you would expect from the best cane.
How long will one reed last?
Players report a variety of lifetimes, but most would agree that our reeds easily outlast a box of 10 conventional cane reeds. Some players are reporting six months of hard playing. You can prolong the life of your reed by treating the tip with care, and by rotating the reed after an hour of hard practice.
Why are Légère reeds so expensive? Aren't they just a cheap bits of molded plastic?
No!!!! Our compound is our own trade secret. We have to make it ourselves in order to control the strength of the material, and thus to make reeds of different strength. Our reeds are machined on an expensive CNC machine, not stamped or molded like conventional plastic parts. In fact there are about 15 steps in the manufacturing process, and the entire process takes approximately two weeks.