Légère French Cut Tenor Sax/Bass Clarinet Reeds
Légère French Cut Tenor Sax/Bass Clarinet Reeds
True story: this past week (I'm writing this in April, 2024) I had a reed disaster. For the first time, I had ZERO reeds that worked on my bass clarinet — I had a concert to play in 30 minutes. It was a weird weather day, and it was game time. I had one of these French Cut Tenor Sax reeds in my case that Légère had sent me to try, and I slapped it on the mouthpiece. And. I. Crushed. It. (not the reed; the concert slammed.)
Now, I've tried other cuts of Légère reeds on Bass Clarinet in the past but I've never felt comfortable playing a concert on them before. After that experience last week, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again...assuming I didn't have a cane reed that was better. Yeah, you can call me a cane reed snob, I don't mind.
But wait, didn't you say Tenor Sax reed??
Yep, Tenor Sax reeds are basically identical to Bass Clarinet reeds. Don't believe me? Watch this video. Légère does not make a French Cut reed for Bass Clarinet yet, but I personally don't care, since these Tenor reeds work perfectly.
If you have tried Légère reeds in the past, and have not found success, I strongly encourage you to try these. I think they are a step up from the European Cut reeds in one important way: I find the tip of the French Cut responds MUCH more crisply, especially when articulating staccato. It's nearly cane-like. Impressive. Oh, and Légère claims these are "darker" than its European Cut sibling. Your mileage may vary, but there is more "meat" in the vamp, which gives the sound more body.
By the way, if you are used to the European Cut, just note that these run a hair softer—like maybe an 1/8 strength.
Now, I do not carry all of the Légère varieties — I'm not a fan of the Classic or the Signature cuts at all — but I do carry these French Cut reeds, and the European Cut bass clarinet reeds.
Important note: these reeds on this page, are not returnable to Earspasm, however Légère offers a generous exchange program. Just click that link, fill out the form, and they'll exchange your reed.
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I'm mainly a jazz player and the French Cuts are exactly what I would want my "dream reed" to sound/play like: woody and rich especially in the bottom of the instrument with just enough resistance to make the clarion/altissimo register sing. I can also DUMP air into this thing without the reed clipping off, which I really appreciate when I need to cut through the wall-of-noise that is a jazz rhythm section playing behind me. All I can say is that if you're (for some reason) a jazz bass clarinet soloist like me, these reeds are incredible.
Imagine putting your bass clarinet together, slapping on a reed, and just knowing exactly how it will play. Now, imagine that the reed you slapped on plays like one of the best reeds in a box of cane Vandorens. Every. Single. Time. That's what using this reed is like. Except there are actually things it can do better than cane reeds. It plays pianissimo (ppp, really) so beautifully with no wooliness. It plays forte with less buzziness. The clarion rings with a clean, open sound and sounds less forced. The reed doesn't change over the course of a practice session, going from perfect to a bit mushy the way even the best cane reeds do for me. Plus, the ability to buy quarter strengths is a total game-changer. I just can't seem to get the right strength with Vandoren cane reeds, stuck between reeds that are just too stiff and just a little too soft. But a 2.75 Legere French Cut on my Vandoren B40 is perfect for me. This reed has taken my least favorite thing (reed inconsistency) about my favorite instrument and turned it into a non-issue.
I am a solid amateur player. Perhaps for an aspiring professional or professional player, there are advantages to cane that this reed can't match. For my skill level, however, this reed is all upside and no downside. Amazing product.
2.5 works great on Vandoren B50 mouthpiece.
Still getting used to it. It squawks a bit in the low E. Have to adjust embouchure a bit. Not sure if it’s me or the reed.
This reed works well for me. However, wood reeds seem to bring out the low tones better.
I've been playing this reed for a couple of weeks now and enjoying the response and sound. One of my musician friends has complemented me on my sound (on bass clarinet). I have pretty much switched to Légère reeds for bass clarinet. As an avocational player, I am able to get a quite-good sound with a consistency much more easily than cane reeds.
I've ordered a few of these and they're amazingly consistent!
When I was a younger player, synthetic reeds were what you used in marching band under duress. I approached this reed with an enormous amount of skepticism, therefore, and am blown away. It plays like "that one good reed you get from a Vandoren blue box". I think it'll be cheaper for me overall as a result of not having to buy a box of cane reeds looking for that one glass slipper.
This reed (especially when paired with a mouthpiece cushion) completely opened up my sound. Even my teacher was floored by the transformation!
I love my Legere reeds! I played synthetic (fiber of some sort) reeds back in the early seventies because our director required us all to use them for a consistent sound. I hated them and thought the sound was dreadful! Imagine my surprise to find new non-cane reeds that sound pretty good and play even better. Thanks for stocking them for BC.
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This reed has made a difference in the range of notes that I can reach!
Better than I thought it would be, nice sound, absolutely usable in a professional setting. Only qualm is articulation response is a little tricky. Might be my new go-to for pops and movies. And for a lot of practicing as well.
I really like the new French Cut Legere Tenor Sax/Bass Clarinet reeds. They have a great sound and presence as I play them. And I hear lots of positive comments from the wind section in symphony too. When I play them in the pit orchestra on my Bass Clarinet, it is so much easier to switch horns knowing this read will speak quickly and accurately right away when I pick it up. Lots of accolades there too! I really love these reads!
I bought a Legere French cut tenor sax reed for my bass clarinet based on what I read here. Even better than the European cut for bass clarinet!
I had tried the bass clarinet European cut. This is so much better.
One of the BEST Synthetiic Reeds Available
About one year ago, I began using Legere reeds in the European cut, and later the French cut. There were many reasons, but suffice to say that Leger reeds are one of the best makes of synthetic reeds available today--no matter the cut, be it European, French, Signature, American, or Classic. So here is the "good, bad, and ugly" of Legere reeds:. THE GOOD: Legere reeds are extremely consistent reed-to-reed, are available in quarter strengths, and play right out of the box with no adjustments needed. THE BAD: On a per reed basis, Legere reeds are expensive when compared to the cost of cane reeds. However, as Legere reeds play out of the box with no adjustment, and because of their longevity, much of that difference is eliminated in reality. THE UGLY: Because Leger reeds come in quarter strengths matching reeds to the mouthpiece will take more time, and could result in reeds purchased that are too strong or too weak. However, Legere does have an exchange policy to remedy some of guess work. But...once a player finds that perfect reed, the results can be amazing. While Legere reeds are my personal favorite synthetic reed, they may not be to everyone's taste in synthetic, or for those who prefer cane. All I can say is give Leger a try, and you may be surprised...