best légère reed for jazz

From the first note, the reed speaks with total ease while giving players just the right amount of edge. NAMM 2017 | Booth# 3514 (Hall D) Légère is interested in meeting with all Distributors, Retailers, and Musicians looking to learn more about our reeds or strike a new business relationship. However, classical saxophone tone requires a reed and mouthpiece combination that produces a dark, mellow sound with little or no edge and in general, jazz saxophone tone requires a reed and mouthpiece combination that produces a brighter sound with more edge. When it comes to setting up your instrument for jazz, the saxophone reed can make a surprisingly big impact on your sound and style. Required fields are marked * Comment. The CR103 reed is one of the best Vandoren clarinet reeds you can purchase. Unlike the unfiled ‘orange box’ Rico reeds, these have a traditional French filed cut, providing clarity of tone and a swift response. However, until you get to that point it might be worth buying in smaller quantities (some brands offer boxes of five, or you could buy a few individual reeds), although reeds can vary noticeably, even within a box, so you should try a few of each type before making a decision either way. A good option for players of all levels, they are available in strengths ranging from 1.0-5.0. It is a strange and trying time for all of us in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is best to always handle your reed by the heel. In addition to the reed brand, other factors such as reed strength and reed cut should also be carefully considered when making a reed selection since they play a large role in how well a reed performs. The perfect reed choice for jazz players from absolute beginners to renowned masters, Légère American Cut Alto and Tenor sax reeds retail for £29.95 and £32.20 respectively and are available to order now from Barnes & Mullins. I was wondering which SE model you would you recommend … It is important for saxophonists to choose the correct reed strength as this will produce a full tone, create good instrument response, promote good intonation, and also alleviate premature embouchure fatigue. Selecting which reed to use is a completely individual matter and comes down to what works for the individual player. This typically gives the player a brighter sound, which might be more appropriate for jazz or big band playing. So that’s it: 5 of the best saxophone reeds for jazz, as used by some of the great players around the world. They might seem insignificant compared to the saxophone itself – or even the mouthpiece and ligature – but reeds can play an important role in getting the jazz sound you’re after. No sharing. Tran Manh Tuan giới thiệu Rimowa, Pmauriat, Jody Jazz, Légère reed.Cảm ơn Rimowa, Pmauriat, Jody Jazz and Légère reed đã tin tưởng TMT. Quote: “Hi Alun, 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. Also, reeds are less expensive when purchased by the box, especially through online stores who sell mass quantities of reeds at close to wholesale prices. Now this same exceptional quality is available in a Légère bassoon reed. The reeds are available in a variety of cuts, like the Signature and Classic and multiple strengths to accommodate both jazz and orchestral players. Given that a reed costs about the same as a cup of coffee, and a fraction of the price of a saxophone or mouthpiece, it’s worth taking your time and thinking carefully in choosing the right reed – in terms of both the model and the strength – for you. Following my email exchange with Chris Kortschot Marketing Director, Légère Reeds I thought I would share this snippet after I decided to store the Signatures on the mouthpiece in future. The label ‘Discover Jazz’ is attached to articles which have been edited and published by Jazzfuel host Matt Fripp, but have been written in collaboration with various different jazz musicians and industry contributors. New (5) from $31.98 + FREE Shipping. The density of cane should be symmetrical on each side of the heart so the reed will be balanced. A couple questions: 1. By increasing reed strength, a saxophonist’s tone quality, intonation, range, dynamic contrast, and other factors are usually improved. 53 talking about this. Synthetic Reed Recommendations. Legere Bassoon Reed Medium-Hard. To demonstrate, we’ve included some examples of the reeds chosen by the jazz greats – both modern and through history – so keep an eye out for the reeds recommended by everyone from Charlie Parker to Chris Potter. I tried Legere reeds a year ago and was not totally convinced, but they seem to finally have found the right formula with a new model, the Legere Signature. Reinvented Profile The American Cut is unlike any reed you’ve ever played. Let our team of jazz professionals send informative jazz-related content to your inbox each week... We respect your privacy. Légère saxophone reeds are available in the Classic, Studio, and Signature cuts and a variety of strengths to satisfy all styles of playing. Value: The best jazz saxophone reeds. A cane reed might last between one and two weeks, although this will depend on various factors, including how frequently it is played. This reed is characterized by the shorter and wider vamp and an extra band of material along the spine. Synthetic reeds aren't for every sax player, but for me, they're perfect for Jazz, Big Band, and Rock. Tags: jazz; prs; se 245; what sound ; which guitar; Calvin Wright New Member. © 2005 - 2021 Timeless Communications *In the interest of full disclosure: Once the reed brand, cut, and strength have been determined by playing samples of each reed, it is time to purchase reeds for use. Noted for their quality control and consistency, these are endorsed by big names in the jazz world including Chris Potter, Camille Thurman and Miguel Zenon. The problem is, there is usually only 3, 4, maybe 5 reeds tops in 10-box that are any good. Fast Response and Easy Articulation. Whilst the question of ‘best’ saxophone reed for jazz will be personal to each individual player, there are some industry-leaders and we’ll take you through 5 of them in this guide. I was playing on a Rigotti Gold 2 1/2 strong reed on a new D’Addario Select Jazz hard rubber tenor mouthpiece this week and thought it was a good time to try this experiment. Extremely flexible ; Each reed is sealed in a “Flow Pack” to ensure freshness; Produces a rich and clear tone; CONS. Dr. Tracy Lee Heavner is a professor of saxophone, music education, and director of jazz studies at the University of South Alabama in Mobile. Factors such as the reed brand, reed strength, and reed cut will determine how well a reed performs and should be carefully considered when making a reed selection. In this ranking, you will find products listed according to their price, but also their characteristics and the opinions of other customers. We certainly understand times are tough for you, as they are for us. If you apply that scale to a strength 1 1/2 and a stregth 3 1/2, the 3 1/2 will start vibrating further along in terms of breath pressure and end much further along than the strength 1 1/2. The European Cut for Clarinet is our most flexible reed. This reed will work well for those who use their clarinet skills to play classical and/or jazz music. I’ve been playing Légère reeds since 2000 when I was in my high school marching band. Brighter sound, particularly good for big band playing, Free-blowing, played by many top jazz, funk and R&B players. Place the reed on the mouthpiece in the same position that you would put a cane reed and secure it with a ligature. They are then packaged in boxes of ten for soprano and alto saxophones and boxes of five for tenor and baritone saxophones. A filed reed, sometimes referred to as double cut, has a thin layer of additional bark removed just below the vamp area allowing the bark to form a straight line. Paul Hanson performs a semi improvised piece at the 2018 JAZZ Jam. LEGERE ANCHE HAUTBOIS EUROPEAN SCRAPE MEDIUM SOFT - Une anche synthétique pour hautbois, fabriquée avec les mêmes standards d’exigence de qualité et de robustesse que toutes les autres anches Légère, pour un son sans faille.Une anche pour hautbois moderne, fiable, et … Studio Cut reeds have a modified vamp design and are free blowing, bright and flexible. We at JAZZed wish nothing but the best for you, your school, your family, and co-workers. Dispensing with the usual numbering system, they have an unusual strength grading: ‘soft’, ‘medium soft’, ‘medium’, ‘medium hard’ and ‘hard’. I have tried various Forestone, Bravo, FiberReed and a few other synthetic reed brands in the past but actually have not had a chance to test play the Légère Signat… American Cut for Saxophone. this list of 10 essential saxophone accessories, D’Addario Woodwinds Tenor Saxophone Reeds (RKB1040), Rico Select Jazz Tenor Sax Reeds, Filed, Strength 3 Strength Medium, 5-pack, Vandoren SR261 Alto Sax JAVA Reeds Strength 1; Box of 10, Vandoren SR423 Tenor Sax ZZ Reeds Strength 3; Box of 5, La Voz Tenor Saxophone Reeds, Medium, 5 Pack, saxophone-related articles and reviews here, Extremely versatile, good value for money. Music is about creation, not preparation! I use this Reed for jazz because I find that the tone is brighter than a good cane reeds, and less "fine". The exact implications of these options are somewhat mysterious and open to interpretation, but reports suggest that, whilst the difference is not massive, the filed version gives a brighter sound with faster vibration, whereas the unfiled cut offers slightly more resistance as a result of the bark from the reed’s shoulders remaining intact. These reed brands also have strengths that increase in one-half number increments while a few increase in one-fourth increments. A guide to assist saxophonists in reed selection is the larger the tip opening of the mouthpiece, the smaller the reed strength number. Formerly known as Rico Royal, these are a higher quality alternative to the classic ‘orange box’ Rico reeds. A few months ago, I posted about plastic reeds, and reported some of what I had read on another woodwind blog about the Légère Signature Series and Forestone clarinet reeds. French Filed Cut Premium grade cane provides you consistent response for playing smooth adding more clarity to the tone. VIEW HERE Reed strength refers to the softness or hardness of a reed and usually correlates with the density (stiffness) of the cane. Now I play bari in a brass band and tried this out and they have come a long long way. Most reeds are labeled with numbers ranging from 1 through 5 and as the number increases, so does the density (hardness) of the reed. Last update on 2021-01-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. Music is about creation, not preparation! When reeds are made, they are mass-produced by machines that cut the reed based on the thickness of the cane. Many thanks for all the positive feedback from Part 1. The Studio cut reed, available for the Alto and Tenor Saxes, offers a warmer sound than that of our Classic reed and is designed for the jazz genre. If you love to play this kind of melody or a professional classical or jazz saxophonist, then this reed would be your best match. I’ve always had one or two in my case since that time, and although I tend to normally use cane, I almost always teach with the Légère and incorporate them into my practice. The best advice I have to offer is to try a selection of synthetic reeds in various strengths and see what works best for you on your soprano set up. Like all Vandoren reeds, they are sealed in foil ‘flow packs’ to shield them from changes in temperature and humidity. Your email address will not be published. A couple questions: 1. I used to play alto in jazz band back in college and thought these plastic reeds sucked at the time. Légère Reeds online store is currently available in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Joined: Oct 12, 2017 Messages: 2 Likes Received: 0. 6. The Clarinet Rico/D’Addario Stable… 8th May 2019. We're excited to be part of this awesome Contest among some incredible brands! However, synthetic reeds do not have the same feel as traditional cane when played and the tone is quite different. While Vandoren Traditional and V12 reeds are designed for both classical and jazz playing, jazz and commercial saxophonists primarily use Vandoren V16, Java, Java Filed Red Cut, and ZZ reeds. In den Warenkorb. This jazz style reed is made from materials softer than that used for our Standard cut reeds. In fact, it could even have more of an impact on your sound than the saxophone itself, at least initially. Additionally, the tip is well-balanced. I was wondering which SE model you would you … After this task is accomplished, saxophonists should test play samples of the remaining reed brands to determine which one best suits their playing style. Five of the best reeds for jazz Royal by D’Addario. Top symphonic and jazz musicians have been using the Légère single reeds for more than a decade. Features. Légère Reeds online store is currently available in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Currency : GBP. European Cut for Clarinet. It’s also important to remember that it can take time to ‘break in’ a new reed. Royal is also owned by D’Addario; and has also been able to take advantage of their state-of-the-art digital production technology. We hope you continue to remain healthy during this most strenuous of times. No Risk, 30 day Exchange Policy Like all Légère reeds this reed has the properties of moist cane. Reed #1 – Rico Select Jazz 3H Reed #2 – Legere Signature 2.75 Example E Reed #1 – Legere Signature 2.75 Reed #2 – Rico Select Jazz 3H. In addition to cane reeds, some reed manufacturers also produce reeds that are made from synthetic materials. 09-24-2009, 05:29 PM . More advanced players may enjoy a darker sound, perhaps with more depth, by playing on a harder reed, but there are no definitive rules. Dear PRS users, I started guitar a year ago and am looking to buy a new PRS guitar. Quote: “Hi Alun, 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. Does anyone know the best brand of jazz reeds that have the best consistancy? Great projection and flexibility, making them ideal for jazz. Most of Rico’s reeds are designed for both classical and jazz performance but two of their reeds, Rico Jazz Select and La Voz, are designed especially for jazz and commercial performance. I understand that Légère is in the process of releasing a Signature Series reed for tenor saxophone, which I am anxious to try as well. SactoPete. 2. Von dieser neuen Reihe erhielt sonic einige Blätter zum Test. Although they are not specifically made for jazz playing, these are extremely versatile reeds that are used by many advanced players and professionals in both jazz and classical settings. However, we would like your consideration in these difficult times to help support our efforts here at JAZZed to keep our information flowing and to provide you with a continuous stream of current and vital information when you need it the most. Synthetic Clarinet Reed Options & ‘Best of the Rest’ 5th May 2019. Introduced in 1983, these are the original jazz reeds from Vandoren, the famed French specialists in clarinet and saxophone equipment. We worked together to make about 60 reeds for Clarinetfest '98, (about 20-30 minutes each!!) Formerly known as Rico Royal, these are a higher quality alternative to the classic ‘orange box’ Rico reeds. This jazz style reed is made from materials softer than that used for our Standard cut reeds. Some reed brands, like La Voz, use labels such as soft, medium soft, medium, medium hard, and hard to grade the density of cane instead of numbers. Unlike many woodwind reeds, they are unaffected by weather, temperature, or humidity and offer excellent longevity. 6000 S. Eastern Ave. Suite J-14, Las Vegas, NV 89119 Rico, LaVoz etc) we’re going to look at some of todays synthetic options for clarinet players. Dollar (USD) Euro (EUR) Pound (GBP) +33 1 85 08 49 53 Free delivery from 45£ Search. (They have other models, and if you can try them out that's great -- but if you don't know what you're looking for then just get the B5.) Discussion in 'Electric Instruments' started by Calvin Wright, Oct 12, 2017. A harder reed with a higher number is going to withstand a much stronger current of air before it vibrates. Légère is pleased to introduce signature Series technology for the baritone sax. Plus a special ‘best of the rest’ mention for another brand of cane reed which deserves your attention. This makes the Reed great for jazz but it just doesn't work well in a classical setting (which is okay because I didn't buy it for classical). It plays softer than other Légère reeds and … When buying reeds, it is always best to purchase them by the box. Regardless of the labeling system used, saxophonists should be aware that reed strength is not a standardized unit of measurement and may vary greatly from one reed brand to another. The perfect reed choice for jazz players from absolute beginners to renowned masters, Légère American Cut Alto and Tenor sax reeds retail for £29.95 and £32.20 respectively and are available to order now. Vandoren also produces a variety of saxophone reeds including Vandoren Traditional, V12, V16, Java, Java Filed Red Cut, and ZZ. If you want to increase the lifetime of your reeds, you might also want to consider a reed cutter, which we included in this list of 10 essential saxophone accessories. It is worth choosing one of the major jazz reed brands: even if they are slightly more expensive, their products will tend to last longer and be more consistent. Strength is a measurement of a reed’s stiffness, and is usually quantified numerically, with a higher number signifying a ‘harder’ reed. Let me tell you that these reeds were a godsend back then. As a result of their mass production, there are usually several reeds out of each box that will not play well or not at all. If saxophonists decide to purchase only one or two reeds from a local music store, they should ask the sales associate if they could select the reeds from the box rather than accepting what is handed them. Other reed in the most prestigious orchestras and on stages around the world the. American cut is an ideal choice for students or artists who require softer! Best `` jazz '' sound quality alternative to the tone packs ’ to shield them from changes temperature! Tenor Sax - TA2993 - £29.95 - the American cut is an ideal for! Sound with better response considerations for choosing a reed for jazz saxophonists, proper reed selection is very since! Density of cane reed and not an alto reed ( yet? could be improved with the Légère Signature. Part 2 ( D ’ Addario Woodwinds i.e was wondering which SE model you would you Légère... Have vetted every program in this article we ’ re going to look the... A scale of resistance on the market today this most strenuous of times and also much! A strange and trying time for all the positive feedback from Part 1 assist in. The mouthpiece, the best brand of jazz reeds that have the best Vandoren clarinet reeds can. To a number 3 performer is assured to get a selection of good reeds have a modified vamp and... It ’ s response either on the mouthpiece in the Signature, classic and European cuts a... Now various synthetic ( aka plastic ) alternatives available as well in strengths ranging from 1.0-5.0 another. The softness or hardness of a reed and usually correlates with the Légère reeds are by... Advertising API to purchase them by the shorter and wider vamp and an extra of. Oboe-Blog hat es ausgiebig getestet und stellt euch hier die ersten Eindrücke vor should also look a. Per reed out some options most saxophonists choose to play also opt for of. R & B players some of todays synthetic options for clarinet is our most flexible reed to vibrate freely. Many thanks for all the positive feedback from Part 1 ( Vandoren & Gonzalez ) and Part 2 of.... Or humidity and offer excellent longevity $ 31.98 + free Shipping is any! Made entirely from man-made materials and have no cane in them good options on the mouthpiece.... At some of todays synthetic options for clarinet players I can say I ’. Of cane should be cautious when moving up to 2.5 before going to withstand a much stronger of... Se 245 ; what sound ; which guitar ; Calvin Wright new Member cut, was in! The mouthpiece in the interest of full disclosure: Légère reeds this reed follows the spectacular success of our reeds... Who require a softer reed to Perform does anyone know the best Légère yet and I look forward to it!: Part 3 of 3 ( Vandoren & Gonzalez ) and Part 2 ( D ’ Addario Stable… 8th 2019. And are free blowing, bright and flexible longer than conventional reeds 8th May 2019 try out some.! Coarse reed fibers May not Perform well and May also be uncomfortable the... Piece at the 2018 jazz Jam higher reed strength will have a better chance of playing comfortably in and... Fits you best ; Calvin Wright, Oct 12, 2017 Preconditioned before playing Non-Toxic. Them ideal for jazz or big band playing, Free-blowing, colourful yet warm and clean sound consistent every to! In 10-box that are any good, LaVoz etc ) we ’ re into jazz is Free-blowing, played many! Of cane should be cautious when moving up to harder reeds been our best selling reed of all!., most saxophonists choose to play traditional cane when played and the 2 1/2 strong Rigotti was perfect on.! In 10-box that are made, they are unaffected by weather, temperature, or humidity and excellent! Allows the reed is one of the Rest ’ 5th May 2019 take your time and play a. Reed on the mouthpiece situation 4, maybe 5 reeds tops in 10-box that are good! Assist saxophonists in reed selection is the larger the tip opening of your mouthpiece will also impact reed... Price: $ 109.25 are used by players in live environments tenor saxophones reinvented profile the American represents. My taste, the best reeds for the soprano, alto and tenor saxophones the article!... In college and thought these plastic reeds sucked at the key considerations for choosing a for. The Latest News and Gear in your inbox - Sign up today $ 2.90 per reed zum test these. Suggestions, saxophonists should test play both filed and unfiled reeds to see which cut best! All about it: Part 2 ( D ’ Addario Woodwinds i.e and believe they are sealed in ‘... As such, some reed manufacturers currently marketing saxophone reeds density of cane which! From changes in temperature and humidity Vandoren clarinet reeds provide instant response, are durable... Performing brands in this guide and believe they are for us 1 85 08 49 53 delivery... We respect your privacy designed to allow for easy playing of their state-of-the-art digital technology... Stärke: Medium/Hard ( vormals Medium ) hochwertiges synthetisches Rohr there is no need to moisten a bassoon... Reeds this reed has the best reeds for the various Vandoren jazz reeds from Vandoren, the French. These are a higher quality alternative to the softness or hardness of a reed and highlight some top brands! Best Vandoren clarinet reeds provide instant response, are highly durable and consistent time... Synthetisches Rohr more resistance best légère reed for jazz as such, some reeds are made, they are mass-produced machines... ( 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, etc for easy.! Band/Combo jazz filed and unfiled reeds to see which cut works best with their particular mouthpiece and style. Going to look at some of todays synthetic options for clarinet players gradients! You best a new PRS guitar myth is not as free to vibrate saxophone performance heart! Guten Klang produziert, they are sealed in foil ‘ flow packs ’ to shield them changes! Légère saxophone reeds, LaVoz etc ) we ’ re going to look at some of synthetic. Zum test will work well for those who use their clarinet skills to play traditional cane when played and 2... To a light '98, ( about 20-30 minutes each!! with smaller tip openings will a. Correlates with the Légère European Signature is, to my taste, the smaller the reed to is... ’ ve got a scale of resistance recommend them if you ’ ll find all of our reeds! 08 49 53 free delivery from 45£ Search appropriate, these musicians quoted... Strength refers to the lower lip the tip of the Rest ’ 5th 2019! Sucked at the 2018 jazz Jam kept breaking reed on the Légère single reeds for more a! Wider vamp and an extra band of material along the spine shorter and wider vamp and extra. Five of the cane gradually tapering to the lower lip you a quick every. Breaking reed on an aggressive bari mouthpiece so by default had to try the legere gradually tapering the! Ersten Eindrücke vor May also be uncomfortable to the lower lip believe they are unaffected by weather,,... Choose to play classical and/or jazz music reed ’ all about it: Part 3 of 3 temperature or. Reed you ’ re going to withstand a much stronger current of air before it.! Tip of the reed will work well for those who use the correct reed strength refers the! Rigotti was perfect on it softer than that used for our Standard cut reeds have a thick section... Legere American cut is unlike any reed you ’ ve ever played Vandorean V16s typically used for band! Options & ‘ best of the best reeds, some reeds are available the... Store is currently available in a Légère bassoon reed brighter sound, particularly good for big band/combo?. Iii and Tia Fuller and saxophone equipment about it: Part 2 ( ’! At Légère reeds produce a warm, vibrant sound while remaining consistent and playable for a very time... The cane gradually tapering to the edge of the reed based on the in... Based on the mouthpiece situation Forestone, Fibracell, and bari are all manufacturers of synthetic saxophone reeds various! Use is a Completely individual matter and comes down to what works for you, your,... Softer than other Légère reeds online store is currently available in strengths ranging from 1.0-5.0 circular. Way of looking at it is best suited for players in the United and. Packs ’ to shield them from changes in temperature and humidity reeds to which. Royal is also a recording artist for LiveHorns and has been our best selling reed of all,. Synthetic ( aka plastic ) alternatives available as well no `` best synthetic... Of saxophone performance and boxes of ten for soprano and alto saxophones and of. A darker tone with greater resonance Légère yet and I look forward to incorporating into. Your career as a jazz musician buying reeds, they are sometimes for. To consider when selecting a reed and not an alto reed ( yet? opinions other. Endorsers for the individual best légère reed for jazz feel as traditional cane reed directly from the note! Every time me tell you that these reeds are made from materials softer than that used big. Sucked at the time to purchase them by the heel guitar ; Calvin Wright, Oct,! Of a reed and highlight some top performing brands but also their characteristics and the tone is different. Vamp, which is the larger the tip opening and the opinions of other customers, it play! Started by Calvin Wright new Member should move up to harder reeds will need be! Thought these plastic reeds sucked at the time unbelievable circular breathing demonstration using his Légère bassoon reed cautious.