Your advice definitely works. I normally use only a size 2.5. I got a legere signature 2.5 however, it feels like a 3. Dipped it in boiling water for 5 secs. Now it feels like somewhere between 2.25 to 2.5. Thanks.
outstanding tip, just bought a legere american 2.5 and it was just a tiny bit to hard, one little dip in boiling water for literally half a second and now it blows great, thanks :)
It works, but it’s easy to over boiling it, so you should have another pot with cold water next to the boiling one. Put the reed in the boiling water and immediately put it onto the cold water to stop the heating. The reed get softer, but my experience is that it also changes the characteristics of the reed so it might not be that good to play with.
Great tip. Funny, I've had the same issue with a 2.5 Legere as well. I'm a Bari player and I have a Legere 2.5 that came in harder than a Legere 2.75 that I bought at the same time.
Haha it works like a charm! Lol I was just about to chuck the plastic reed in the garbage and thought I hated it but I dipped it in and it plays just like my cane ones now! Thank you lol.
Thanks for the tip, I tried it and it worked great. In my case I had a classic 21/2 and it was way stiffer than the 21/2 I had . I did it for one second and it was much better but still a bit harder to blow. One more time for one second made it just as easy to blow. Still not as mellow as the one I’ve been using for six mo. But that should come with time
@@ChrisGodbersax I left it in the boiling water too long, twice😂 I'll go back to regular reeds for the time being. But I'm sure it'll work when I do it just right.
I was in awe when you perfectly described the very same problem I faced.... I was so excited to try it out with my 2 synthetic reeds (one "Legere" and one "Venn") after your video and to my surprise it worked phenomenally I must say it didn't work as well with the Venn but still felt much better this is the best tip in music I've learned thank you, you have saved my reeds along with my wallet!🙏
hey thanks so much for your comment, I'm glad this has been helpful to so many people. Again, I discovered it on accident, but wanted to share it nonetheless! :)
Not really, that's when it's time to get a new one. The only thing I could suggest is trimming the tip it like you would a cane reed, but I haven't had good luck with that.
if it's too soft it's best to get a stronger size. I know they have an exchange policy to send it back and get a different size. www.legere.com/need-to-know/faqs/exchanges/what-if-i-buy-the-wrong-strength-reed/
I use a SHURE it's this one amzn.to/3qYvYya I velcro the bodypack to my saxophones so I don't have a wire getting caught up on anything when I'm moving around.
It doesn't seem to effect durability / longevity. Unless of course you leave it in the hot water indefinitely and melt it. But if you just dip it on for a second at a time and test it to get to your desired strength you'll be all set. Keep in mind this is for the irregularities that seem to happen often with Legere and perhaps other brands; mislabeled sizes. If you bought a size 2.5 but it's actually a 3 etc doing this will bring it down about a quarter strength each time you dip it. Once you get there it'll still be just as durable / last as long as the size reed you're used to.
I have a legere reed (sopranosax) and it is too light! (2,5) Now I want to shorten it slightly to make it some 'heavier'…or doesn't that make any sense technically?
to make a reed stiffer you'd need to trim or clip it with a reed knife or something, but that's a very delicate process and easy to ruin it if done incorrectly.
No reason to doubt so far, specially after having seen all the positive comments below but: wouldn't the reed tip get creases right after this shocking treatment? I am so keen to try but so scary to spoil a 40 euro reed...
Hi Mauro thanks for your comment. I totally get the caution as you're right they're not cheap reeds. All the more reason I found comfort in discovering how helpful this was when the reed is too stiff and not playing like the strength that I paid for. No, I haven't experienced any creasing; not sure how it would cause a crease unless you pushed the reed hard against the bottom of the hot boiling pan. I've been doing this for years and no creases so far. Just dip it into hot water for 1 second and take it out. If it's still too stiff for you, repeat until it's the softer strength you desire. Hope that helps!
@@ChrisGodbersax I did it yesterday evening. It worked. The sound now is easier to come and somehow brighter. Not much but enough to prove this alchemist method. I also thought to get overtones a little easiers but it didn't happen. They come easy with a 2.5 cane reed while with the Legere 2.5 don't.
I'm sorry but I'm a clarinet player and have a 2.5 Harry Hartmann reed Held it in boiling water for 5 secs., then 15 secs, then 2 mins. and still did nothing. Guess I'll just have to buy a number 2 reed. :(
yes this is for Legere reeds, the technique does work on SOME other synthetics I've tried, but haven't tried the Hartmann reeds as I believe those are more of a hemp fiber so that would probably require some sanding similar to a cane reed.
I don't know if it's my mouthpiece, ligature, or reed, but my legere is a 4.25 and it's the first one I've owned and it feels really hard to play. Like, it's really airy. And i don't know if it's the reed or something else. I just bought the backun cg long mouthpiece, but right now I'm using a Yamaha 5c that was like 20 dollars from Amazon
I’m a clarinetist and this is an awesome tip thanks 😊
That is interesting. I've had 2 1/2 signatures that are so stiff. Never considered it could be as simple as mislabelling. Makes sense now! Will try
Thank you soo much it works
Great video. This technique worked for me.
Your advice definitely works. I normally use only a size 2.5. I got a legere signature 2.5 however, it feels like a 3. Dipped it in boiling water for 5 secs. Now it feels like somewhere between 2.25 to 2.5. Thanks.
outstanding tip, just bought a legere american 2.5 and it was just a tiny bit to hard, one little dip in boiling water for literally half a second and now it blows great, thanks :)
Awesome!
This totally works, Thank you very much!
Awesome glad that helped!
Good tip, thanks! One can also scrape the spine of the reed to soften it by smaller degrees.
Perfect!! Can't thank you enough for this tip! I can now play on my Legere with ease.
Im a hs student with a few synthetics, this rly works. Thank you
It works, but it’s easy to over boiling it, so you should have another pot with cold water next to the boiling one. Put the reed in the boiling water and immediately put it onto the cold water to stop the heating. The reed get softer, but my experience is that it also changes the characteristics of the reed so it might not be that good to play with.
Definitely only 1 second increments. Otherwise you can go too far with it!
Just tried this and it totally works
Great tip. Funny, I've had the same issue with a 2.5 Legere as well. I'm a Bari player and I have a Legere 2.5 that came in harder than a Legere 2.75 that I bought at the same time.
Haha it works like a charm! Lol I was just about to chuck the plastic reed in the garbage and thought I hated it but I dipped it in and it plays just like my cane ones now! Thank you lol.
Hey awesome, glad this worked for you!
Thanks for the tip, I tried it and it worked great. In my case I had a classic 21/2 and it was way stiffer than the 21/2 I had . I did it for one second and it was much better but still a bit harder to blow. One more time for one second made it just as easy to blow. Still not as mellow as the one I’ve been using for six mo. But that should come with time
awesome, glad it was helpful!
The classic ones are stiff buggers!
I wish I could get a soprano sax! I have a signature series for my alto and bari. Also for my clarinet (4strength)
I am so going to try this on my 5 strength clarinet classic. It is just the slightest bit to hard.
Thank you, I'll try this. You're a great musician too👍
thanks hope that works for you!
@@ChrisGodbersax I left it in the boiling water too long, twice😂 I'll go back to regular reeds for the time being. But I'm sure it'll work when I do it just right.
Would love my bassoon légère reed to be a tiny bit softer, but those are waaay more expensive than sax légère reeds. But interesting info, thanks!
Awesome tip! I tried it on a tenor Légère 2.5 and it worked like a charm! Also tried it on a new VENN 2, it sorta softened it but made it dull.
Update: Reed reverts back to original state after an hour or so!
Both?
Hello Tanks for the tip.
You also should flatten the reed back side
Like With cane reeds
Thats help me Cheers
You dip the entire reed? Have you tried just dipping the vamp of the reed? If so, what difference.
Yep I've tried both and didn't notice any difference from one way to another🤷♂
I was in awe when you perfectly described the very same problem I faced.... I was so excited to try it out with my 2 synthetic reeds (one "Legere" and one "Venn") after your video and to my surprise it worked phenomenally I must say it didn't work as well with the Venn but still felt much better this is the best tip in music I've learned thank you, you have saved my reeds along with my wallet!🙏
hey thanks so much for your comment, I'm glad this has been helpful to so many people. Again, I discovered it on accident, but wanted to share it nonetheless! :)
Is there a way to revive a legere reed that has started to play a bit too soft?
Not really, that's when it's time to get a new one. The only thing I could suggest is trimming the tip it like you would a cane reed, but I haven't had good luck with that.
I need help, i just got my legere european cut 3.0 size but it feels too soft and sounds a bit thin, is there anything I can do?
if it's too soft it's best to get a stronger size. I know they have an exchange policy to send it back and get a different size. www.legere.com/need-to-know/faqs/exchanges/what-if-i-buy-the-wrong-strength-reed/
you Should do a cover of Malibu Dreams by Kenny G
What mic and body pack are you using at the beginning of this video? Thanks.
I use a SHURE it's this one amzn.to/3qYvYya
I velcro the bodypack to my saxophones so I don't have a wire getting caught up on anything when I'm moving around.
Thanks. I've looked at that model before. Good info.
Liked and subscribed. you blood legend
How would this affect the durability of the reed?
It doesn't seem to effect durability / longevity. Unless of course you leave it in the hot water indefinitely and melt it. But if you just dip it on for a second at a time and test it to get to your desired strength you'll be all set. Keep in mind this is for the irregularities that seem to happen often with Legere and perhaps other brands; mislabeled sizes. If you bought a size 2.5 but it's actually a 3 etc doing this will bring it down about a quarter strength each time you dip it. Once you get there it'll still be just as durable / last as long as the size reed you're used to.
@@ChrisGodbersax I see, thanks!
I feel that if it is vibrating freely more of the reed is involved and it will last at least 5-6 months.
It doesn’t effect that in a negative way. If the reed is more balanced and vibrating more freely it will last much longer ,same for a cane reed.
Did it and my reed sounded pretty good for about 10 minutes.But then same hard reed.
I have a legere reed (sopranosax) and it is too light! (2,5) Now I want to shorten it slightly to make it some 'heavier'…or doesn't that make any sense technically?
to make a reed stiffer you'd need to trim or clip it with a reed knife or something, but that's a very delicate process and easy to ruin it if done incorrectly.
@@ChrisGodbersax True, may be I give it a try…..delicate indeed…thank you.
…And if so I'll let you know.
No reason to doubt so far, specially after having seen all the positive comments below but: wouldn't the reed tip get creases right after this shocking treatment? I am so keen to try but so scary to spoil a 40 euro reed...
Hi Mauro thanks for your comment. I totally get the caution as you're right they're not cheap reeds. All the more reason I found comfort in discovering how helpful this was when the reed is too stiff and not playing like the strength that I paid for. No, I haven't experienced any creasing; not sure how it would cause a crease unless you pushed the reed hard against the bottom of the hot boiling pan. I've been doing this for years and no creases so far. Just dip it into hot water for 1 second and take it out. If it's still too stiff for you, repeat until it's the softer strength you desire. Hope that helps!
@@ChrisGodbersax I did it yesterday evening. It worked. The sound now is easier to come and somehow brighter. Not much but enough to prove this alchemist method. I also thought to get overtones a little easiers but it didn't happen. They come easy with a 2.5 cane reed while with the Legere 2.5 don't.
Boil synthetic reeds to become softer. Burn cane reeds to become harder.
🔥
I'm sorry but I'm a clarinet player and have a 2.5 Harry Hartmann reed Held it in boiling water for 5 secs., then 15 secs, then 2 mins. and still did nothing. Guess I'll just have to buy a number 2 reed. :(
yes this is for Legere reeds, the technique does work on SOME other synthetics I've tried, but haven't tried the Hartmann reeds as I believe those are more of a hemp fiber so that would probably require some sanding similar to a cane reed.
I don't know if it's my mouthpiece, ligature, or reed, but my legere is a 4.25 and it's the first one I've owned and it feels really hard to play. Like, it's really airy. And i don't know if it's the reed or something else. I just bought the backun cg long mouthpiece, but right now I'm using a Yamaha 5c that was like 20 dollars from Amazon
That is a seriously hard Reed strength. Most professionals play between 2 and 3.5
What if u throw it on the freezers lol will it get harder lol
Only if you want to play cool jazz😅
Actual 'How to' starts at 4:28 You're welcome.
much appreciated 🎷