I have a VK1 (cost me $45), and I honestly don't enjoy it so far. To me, it sounds kind of coarse....I so wanted to love it. I use Legere European as well, but a nice, balanced cane reed still suits my ear best. I'm experimenting with mouthpieces at the moment though, and that's always difficult, at least for me!
Yes, it's always tricky to find the sweet spot of equipment! I love the consistency of the synthetic reeds, but absolutely still prefer a peak cane reed. For now at least!
I have and I like them a lot and have been playing on one full time for the past few months. I am hoping to make some videos about them at ClarinetFest in a couple of weeks!
I like that idea! Of course for method books, I am a bit biased, but I really like my book The Next Generation Clarinet Method which you can learn more about at www.quickstartclarinet.com/nextgenbook There are other great method and etude books too, there are also some interesting books about clarinet that could be interesting to talk about too! And one of my very favorite music books is Sound in Motion by David McGill. There are so many great gems on musicality in there!
Same, I've tried dozens. There are things I like about them. I even played and practiced exclusively on a Legere for a few months and really started to like it. Then, out of curiosity, I played on a cane reed and I laughed at how much better it sounded and I haven't touched a plastic reed since.
Plastic reed is only advantageous in certain scenarios. In an ensemble, with other clarinets, especially outdoors with weird weather or very long sessions. I'd also think it's good for studio recording if you plan to process the sound and you aren't relying on the depth of sound that cane has.
@@russelljazzbeck I agree that they are definitely superior when it comes to outdoor playing. Also, I have heard pros that sound absolutely fantastic on plastic reeds. Unfortunately, there are always trade offs and pros and cons and personal preference that make coming up with a "perfect" reed impossible.
@@QuickStartClarinet I very much agree. Enjoying playing is a top priority and I think that plastic reeds make playing and practicing very accessible for a lot of people. Cane reeds can be so frustrating and I have wasted way too much time fiddling with them, and I have found that managing cane is its own skill (which is a huge con when compared to plastic, which requires no fiddling and no management)
I didn't see a storage case for the reed. That would be a problem for me. Thanks for the review.
Just stick it in a reed case....
Yes! Luckily I have enough old cases around it isn't a problem, but it is kind of annoying that there is no storage solution included.
I have a VK1 (cost me $45), and I honestly don't enjoy it so far. To me, it sounds kind of coarse....I so wanted to love it. I use Legere European as well, but a nice, balanced cane reed still suits my ear best. I'm experimenting with mouthpieces at the moment though, and that's always difficult, at least for me!
I tried the VK1 and was iffy about it. When the Legere French Cut came out I switched.
Yes, it's always tricky to find the sweet spot of equipment! I love the consistency of the synthetic reeds, but absolutely still prefer a peak cane reed. For now at least!
I just got a French Cut today and can't wait to try it!
@@QuickStartClarinet I've had it for awhile and love it. For some reason it makes the high Notes easier.
@@QuickStartClarinet Until this thread I did not know there were French cut. Are they new(ish)? Now I have to try one. Cha ching lol
Aloha Josh! Were you able to try the Legere French Cut Reed? Would like to see a video of your opinion of these. Mahalo Nut Loa!!!!!
I have and I like them a lot and have been playing on one full time for the past few months. I am hoping to make some videos about them at ClarinetFest in a couple of weeks!
@@QuickStartClarinet mahalo nui loa!
Hello! Love your videos if you haven’t already can you make a video on the best books for clarinet or instrument playing as well as exercise books?
I like that idea!
Of course for method books, I am a bit biased, but I really like my book The Next Generation Clarinet Method which you can learn more about at www.quickstartclarinet.com/nextgenbook
There are other great method and etude books too, there are also some interesting books about clarinet that could be interesting to talk about too!
And one of my very favorite music books is Sound in Motion by David McGill. There are so many great gems on musicality in there!
@@QuickStartClarinetthank you so much!
I’ve tried so many plastic reeds, I just can’t get on board
They definitely aren't for everybody, but perhaps someday there will be one that will be worthwhile for you!
Same, I've tried dozens. There are things I like about them. I even played and practiced exclusively on a Legere for a few months and really started to like it.
Then, out of curiosity, I played on a cane reed and I laughed at how much better it sounded and I haven't touched a plastic reed since.
Plastic reed is only advantageous in certain scenarios. In an ensemble, with other clarinets, especially outdoors with weird weather or very long sessions.
I'd also think it's good for studio recording if you plan to process the sound and you aren't relying on the depth of sound that cane has.
@@russelljazzbeck I agree that they are definitely superior when it comes to outdoor playing. Also, I have heard pros that sound absolutely fantastic on plastic reeds. Unfortunately, there are always trade offs and pros and cons and personal preference that make coming up with a "perfect" reed impossible.
@@QuickStartClarinet I very much agree. Enjoying playing is a top priority and I think that plastic reeds make playing and practicing very accessible for a lot of people.
Cane reeds can be so frustrating and I have wasted way too much time fiddling with them, and I have found that managing cane is its own skill (which is a huge con when compared to plastic, which requires no fiddling and no management)
Hi
The packaging is so bad. The one I bought I keep in an old Legere case.
Right! I like the look of it, but the functionality is not great.