How can we help you?
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Exchanges
- How do I pick a strength?
- Can I exchange my reed?
- Can I exchange a bassoon or oboe reed?
- I've submitted my exchange form on the website, but haven't heard back.
- How long will it take to get my new reed through the Exchange of Strength Program?
- How can I do multiple exchanges?
- I filled out the Exchange of Strength form but can't hit "Submit"
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Product Information
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- Caring for your Légère reed.
- Is it possible to modify my Légère reed?
- How do I fix leaking on my Légère Oboe reed?
- My bassoon reed is falling off the bocal. How can I fix this?
- My Légère cracked. What do I do?
- Which mouthpiece does Légère work with?
- How do I troubleshoot problems with Legere saxophone reeds, like squeaking or buzzing?
- How do I know if I need a softer or harder Legere reed?
- Why should I rotate my saxophone reeds?
- Why is 2.50 strength the most common for beginners?
- How do I know if a reed is too hard for me?
- Can I use a reed that’s too soft or too hard for my skill level?
- How do I know which reed strength to move up to as I progress?
- What is the difference between a harder and softer reed?
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- What is a synthetic reed?
- How do Légère Reeds differ from cane reeds?
- Is it time for a new reed?
- How long will one Légère reed last?
- How do I use the Légère reed case?
- Why should I store my Légère reed when not in use?
- Can I wear lipstick/ lip balm with Légère?
- Do Légère reeds contain BPA or other harmful chemicals?
- Are Légère reeds recyclable?
- How do I break in a Légère Reed?
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- Can I adjust my reed?
- Do you make reeds for Alto Clarinet?
- Are there any tips for improving Légère reed longevity?
- How do I know if my Légère reed needs replacement?
- Are Legere Reeds unbreakable?
- Why is reed strength important?
- Are there any techniques for “reviving” old or worn-out Legere reeds?
- What’s the best way to humidify or soak a reed before playing?
- When should I throw away a reed and get a new one?
- What happens if my reed is chipped or damaged?
- How many reeds should I keep on hand for practice and performances?
- What is the difference between Classic, Signature and European cuts?
- I'm new to Légère, what reed should I buy? (Single Reeds)
- Discontinued 1/4 strengths for Classic and Studio Cut
- My strength has been discontinued - what should I play now?
- I'm new to Légère, what reed should I buy? (Double Reeds)
- What is the playability of a Légère reed?
- New Names, Same Reeds
- NEW! American Cut Saxophone reeds
- What ligatures work with Légère Reeds?
- What strength reed should I play on my mouthpiece?
- What is the difference between Classic, Signature, Studio Cut and American Cut reeds for saxophones?
- How do I break in a Légère Reed?
- How do I store my Légère Reeds?
- How can I test if a reed is too soft or too hard without playing it?
- Are there any techniques for “reviving” old or worn-out Legere reeds?
- Is there a difference between reeds for alto, tenor, and soprano saxophones?
- My reed feels fine but sounds dull; is it time to change it?
- Can a reed lose its tone quality without obvious damage?
- How can I tell if a reed isn’t right for me?
- What Should a Good Reed Should Feel Like?
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Purchasing
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Légère Locations
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Woodwind Knowledge Base
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- What is a good setup for marching band clarinet?
- What is a good setup for classical chamber and solo clarinet?
- What is a good setup for classical orchestral clarinet?
- What is a good setup for jazz clarinet?
- What is a good clarinet setup for beginners?
- What is the best way to store a clarinet when not in use?
- What do I practice on clarinet?
- Why should I rotate my clarinet reeds?
- How does chamber and solo clarinet playing differ from ensemble clarinet playing in their gear?
- How does classical clarinet playing differ from jazz clarinet playing with their gear?
- Marching and the Clarinet
- Can reed choice affect my intonation on the clarinet?
- Does the type of clarinet (Bb, bass, Eb) affect reed selection?
- How do I try or test a clarinet reed?
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- What is a good saxophone setup for beginners?
- What is a good setup for marching band saxophone?
- What is a good setup for classical saxophone?
- What is a good setup for contemporary saxophone?
- Do saxophones need high F# keys?
- What is a good setup for jazz saxophone?
- What is the best way to store my saxophone when not in use?
- What do I practice on saxophone?
- Why should I rotate my saxophone reeds?
- How does classical saxophone playing differ from jazz saxophone playing with their gear?
- Marching and the Saxophone
- Can reed choice affect the saxophone’s intonation across different registers?
- Is there a difference between reeds for alto, tenor, and soprano saxophones?
- What’s the difference between a standard clarinet reed and a German cut clarinet reed?
- How does the type of saxophone (alto, tenor, soprano) affect reed choice?
- How do I try or test a saxophone reed?
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- What is the difference between saxophone mouthpiece tip openings?
- Why do some players prefer stronger reeds?
- What makes Légère Reeds different from other synthetic reeds?
- How do I get a better tone on saxophone and clarinet?
- How do I troubleshoot problems with Legere saxophone reeds, like squeaking or buzzing?
- How do I know if I need a softer or harder Legere reed?
- What strength does a beginner use?
- How do I choose the right bassoon reed strength?
- How do I choose the right oboe reed strength?
- Are there any tips for improving Légère reed longevity?
- How do I know if my Légère reed needs replacement?
- What are the best saxophone reeds?
- Marching and the Clarinet
- Marching and the Saxophone
- Marching and the Bassoon
- Marching and the Oboe
- What’s the best way to test a reed's playability before using it in performance?
- How often should I rotate between multiple reeds during practice or performance?
- How tightly or loosely should the ligature be?
- Can beginners start with synthetic reeds, or are they more for advanced players?
- Can I use the same reeds for both jazz and classical, or do I need different strengths or types?
- If a reed feels difficult to play, should I switch to a softer or harder reed?
- Can reed strength change as it wears in?
- Can I use a reed that’s too soft or too hard for my skill level?
- How do I know which reed strength to move up to as I progress?
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What Should a Good Reed Should Feel Like?
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A good reed has many characteristics to look for. The following are some of the impressions that a reed that is really working for you should give:
• Easy response without extra effort
• Stable intonation
• Consistent tone across the full range
• Comfortable resistance that lets you shape phrases
• Doesn’t fight back—it works with you, not against you
If you’re not sure whether it’s you or the reed, try it in comparison to one you know works for you. Or better yet, have a teacher or trusted player try it and give feedback. The difference can be surprising.