The Légère Classic Bass Clarinet Reed 3 is a stiffer reed most appropriate for a traditional or classical setup. This reed has a thicker tip than our other clarinet reeds and is designed to produce a darker sound. It is a great reed to start with but remains popular with players at all levels.
Legere reeds can hit the high notes!
The Classic Reed for Tenor Saxophone is the recommended cut for marching band performers and those blending their sound with a large ensemble.
Légère reeds are made from polypropylene, which is approved by the FDA for use in direct food contact applications, so our reeds are completely safe to use. Recently, there has been concern expressed in the media about a chemical compound called Bisphenol-A (BPA) which is used to make some plastics. Polypropylene does not contain BPA. Those expressing concern about BPA in baby bottles often suggests polypropylene as a safe alternative.
We process our polymer in a special way that lines up the molecules themselves in order to precisely match the stiffness and density of moist cane. We do not add glass fibres or any chemicals. Some characteristics of our material:
- It doesn’t have to be preconditioned before playing.
- It does not absorb water.
- It is completely non-toxic.
- It can be sanitized.
- It is extremely tough and it will last a long, long, time.
Of course, the best thing about our material is its sound. Even with all of the advantages of a synthetic, you wouldn't spot our reeds on the stage at the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra if the sound wasn't wonderful.
Legere synthetic reeds are rugged and should last for many hours of playing, however, the tip is fragile and the reed can split or break if it is mishandled.
One of the best features of a Legere reed is that it does not need to be moistened prior to playing. It will warm up over the first few minutes, and should then be stable for an extended period. Some players have reported that after an hour or more of intense playing, the reed softens a little. This behavior is normal, and the reeds will return to their original feel after they have been rested for a bit.
The reeds will eventually fatigue and become permanently softer, losing their tone quality. We strongly recommend that you keep two or three reeds in rotation and retire reeds periodically as they wear out.
The reeds should be cleaned periodically with water and a mild detergent. Germicides such as Sterisol can be used to clean the reeds, but you should not assume that such products will sterilize them. We advise against sharing reeds or using reeds that have been tested or played by others. We do not sanction or support in-store testing, and we discard all reeds that are returned to us for exchange.
Legere saxophone and clarinet reeds should be stored on a flat surface, but not in a case which applies pressure to the reed tip. You should not keep your reed in the shipping package.
Sanding, scraping, and clipping of reeds are discouraged. Clipping the reed with a conventional reed clipper is likely to cause tip damage. If necessary, the reeds can be scraped with a sharp blade held perpendicular to the reed. They should be scraped from the top of the vamp towards the tip. Fine sandpaper may also be used in the same way. NEVER sand or scrape the reed in the other direction. Do not try to sand the base of the reed. Keep in mind that it is not possible to return a reed for exchange once it has been altered in any way.
With proper care and maintenance, your Legere reed should provide you with many hours of playing pleasure. Many players report that our reeds can last for months.
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