Tuesday 6 October 2009

Synthetic Reeds: a 21st Century Overview – Thomas Dryer-Beers

In addition to our offer on Legere Reeds, here is an article written by staff member Thomas Dryer-Beers specifically about synthetic reeds.

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Whenever two or more single reed players chat in rehearsal or on a gig, one subject is bound to arise…we all know the moan, I’m pretty sure we all have thought the thought at least once:-


If we can send a man to the moon/store an encyclopedia on a CD/split the atom? Why can’t we produce a consistently good reed for the clarinet or saxophone?

Cane reed manufacturers have been working hard for decades to address this problem with better sourcing of cane, more controlled growing conditions, better cutting machinery, more sophisticated strength-grading technology, new profile designs, even better packaging. Their efforts have led to the creation of a greater range of products of a generally higher quality than ever before. But still the complaint is heard! The exceptional cane reed remains the stuff of legend, every player’s dream; and undeniably rewarding.


Now competition for your single reed custom is increasing from manufacturers who do not reluy upon the natural product at all. The products they make utilise new technologies, engineering and materials to produce reeds that will last longer, be by their very nature more consistent in strength, and are less affected by atmospheric conditions.


BRIEF BACKGROUND
A potted history of synthetic reeds can be found on the MIRI website (www.fibracell.com). It provides some background on Arnold Brilhart and Steve Broadus whose combined efforts led to the creation of Fibercane reeds in the 1960s, to many players the product name which most immediately comes to mind whenever ‘plastic reeds’ are mentioned.


Much development has taken place since these original Fibercane products came to market. The new synthetic reed brands have added a wider range of sound options for the user. Each has its devoted proponents and, to be fair, each also has its detractors. The following selected guide is intended to bring players up to date.

For the first time in history a real choice is now available – between the consistency, reliability and respectability in performance of the new synthetics, and the variability and relatively eccentric performance of the traditional cane reed.

Just as with traditional reeds, when speaking of sound qualities and aspects of a reed’s performance, words alone often fail to fully illustrate the point being made. I have attempted to allow for some relative comparisons by using the following concepts:

RRI – Relative Response Index on a scale from 1-10. 1 being the Bari plastic reed and 10 being a traditional cane reed.

SR – Suitability Rating from 1-3. This relates roughly to the design underlying the reed profile and concept and equates with the tonal range from 1 = brilliant, 2 = centred/mellow, 3 = dark/rich or if it helps to illustrate some possible performance applications read the SR as: 1 = jazz/pop/rock, 2 = versatile styles, 3 = classical

OF – Overall Finish 1 = fair, 1.5 = good, 3 = excellent.

Reactions to these reeds are as individual as each player and depend on the mouthpiece used in the trial, the sound and blowing concepts preferred by the individual, and the sustainability of the reed for the intended use. The comments offered below are mine and should be viewed in this light. As a player myself, and in the course of both my work in a retail shop and during the preparation of this overview, I have come to know the potential of each of the brands for my customers and myself. I would encourage every interested player to make a considered purchase (or several) and judge for themselves by trying some of these new synthetic reeds. Happy playing!

Fibracell
Designed using a sophisticated composite of stiffened Kevlar fibres suspended in a lightweight resin formulation. Every effort has been made to make Fibracell products resemble cane even down to colouration of the material. Their website (www.fibracell.com) has extensive information.

Available for Bb clarinet and bass clarinet. Soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophone in strengths soft, med.soft, med.,med.hard, hard.

TD-B Comments:
The Fibracell reed does perform remarkably like cane, responding and achieving a very respectable sound. The resistance achieved by the design and profile is very similar to a cane product and the overall feel is very satisfactory. The appearance is that of an unfiled, American-cut reed. Fibracell offers long-lasting stable performance. Alterations to the reed bank are not recommended.

RRI 8 - SI 2/3 – OF 1.5

Hahn Synthetic
Utilises a sophisticated cellular structure that seeks to replicate the function of the cane fibres using a hollow fibre foam resin compound.

Available for Bb clarinet, soprano, alto, tenor and baritone sax in strengths 1.5 – 4

TD-B Comments:
The Hahn reed offers a tone quality of substance and resonance with a balanced resistance. Long lasting with very little degradation in performance over time. The reeds are white in colour with a black rubber pad below where the ligature makes contact for increased freedom of vibration.

RRI 7 – SI 2/3 – OF 1.6

Bari
The familiar clear plastic reed which has been available for decades. The design of the reed is of machined plastic but the structure of the compound used does allow for some moisture absorption. The reed profile and tip can be altered with sandpaper to change its strength.
Variants – Bari * (star) made from Avilar
Available for Bb and bass clarinet, soprano, alto, tenor and baritone sax in strengths soft, medium and hard.

TD-B Comments:
Very responsive and free blowing by intention. The sound is powerful and energetic, clear with many powerful overtones present. The Avilar material used in the Bari* range offers a slightly richer and deeper sound quality, and is also very free blowing. Beloved choice of many hard-blowing saxophonists.

RRI 1 – SI 1 – OF 1.25

Plasticover (Rico)
While not a synthetic reed in the sence of all the other reeds reviewed here, Plasticover deserves a mention as it manages to achieve much of the longevity of performance associated with synthetic reeds through the use of a plastic based coatig over a traditional cane reed.

Available for Eb, Bb, alto and bass clarinet, soprano, alto, tenor and baritone sax in strengths 1-5

TD-B Comments:
The Plasticover reed from Rico is familiar to many players as a ‘hybrid’ of cane and synthetic reeds. The basic performance is similar to Rico Royal reeds but the coating helps preserve and protect the cane. The coating deadens the reed response and the feel to the embouchure, but the extra effort required by the player and the added rigidity from the coating, combine to create a ‘snappy’ edge to the sound.

RRI 4 – SI 1/2 – OF 1.7

Légère
Made of a completely new material and utilising state of the art computerised cutting technology, Légère reeds were introduced at the International Clarinetfest in 1998 to wide acclaim. The Légère reed stakes its reputation upon its ‘war and woody’ sound. Each individual reed is serial numbered demonstrating the emphasis placed upon quality control. Thirty-day satisfaction trial is available.

Available for Eb, Bb and bass and contra bass clarinet, alto, tenor, soprano, and baritone sax in strengths 2, 2.25, 2.5, 2.75, 3, 3.25...- 5.

(Variants for Bb Clarinet only – Légère Quebec Cut – The blank is slightly wider and the cut offers slightly increased resistance creating a tonal character slightly more rounded and centred. Légère Signature – Designed with input from international artist/performers including Barnaby Robson and Larry Combs. This reed promises to meet the most exacting playing standards with increased depth and warmth of sound. Variants for Alto and Tenor Sax only – Légère Studio Cut – this reed is designed for use with a jazz mouthpiece. It is more flexible than the standard Légère reeds which makes it ideal for players desiring a freer response. Just like the standard reeds but ‘livelier’.)

TD-B Comments:
The sound of the Légère reed is uncannily close to that of cane. The resistance and response are also very close. No moisture is absorbed so the reed can truly be played dry. The reed ‘warms up’ to body temperature so strength choice is an important issue. The reeds are offered in quarter strengths reflecting the degree of accuracy available in the manufacturing. Choice of the correct strength is vital as it is recommended that no alterations be made to the reed profile.

RRI 9 – SI 3 – OF 2

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We hope this article has been of some use to you and would like to remind you of the offer on Légère reeds as outlined in the entry below.



WOOD, WIND & REED. 106 Russell Street. Cambridge.
01223 500442
www.wwr.co.uk

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