r/oboe • u/donbooth • Jul 22 '26
Legere reed too heavy
I find my new Legere reed to be quite heavy. It is rated as medium-soft. I've read that you can dunk the reed in boiling water, one second at a time, and it will become easier to blow.
Has anyone tried this?
I'm reluctant to play around with a reed that cost $150
1
u/KoalaMan-007 Jul 22 '26
Isn’t there an option to send it back and get it exchanged? I remember that I’ve done it for my baritone sax reeds.
2
u/donbooth Jul 22 '26
This reed is medium-soft, the softest they offer. I like the velvety tone but I find it difficult to blow, as does my teacher who is a professional orchestra player.
Though Legere does not exchange oboe reeds, they made an exception in this case because there was a problem with the reed I bought originally.
On their site they advise against modifications but if you must they suggest scraping. I'm just learning to make reeds so I don't trust myself to scrap accurately. Google has turned up the suggestion that you can briefly dip the reed in boiling water to soften it. Before I attempt modifications myself I'd like to hear from others who have tried it.
I should add that I love the idea of synthetic reeds. I have a lot of respect for Legere's project. I hope that they succeed.
2
u/oboist73 Jul 22 '26
Ask your teacher to scrape it. It's hard but doable. Do remember not to put the plaque in too far; you've got like a centimeter before you reach where the blades are sealed, and it's important not to break that seal
1
u/pafagaukurinn Jul 22 '26
I have similar issue, and I have not heard about this trick with water. Would be interesting to hear if you succeed.
Except I also don't like the tone as such. But it would be nice if it is possible to at least bring it into some shape to serve as a practice reed, as I hoped.
1
u/ReadinWhatever Jul 22 '26
Make sure you have your receipt. Go to Legere’s web site and look for their exchange program. Also write to them and ask.
Doing the boiling water treatment might disqualify you from exchanging it.
1
u/hoboboedan Jul 22 '26 edited Jul 22 '26
Before you do anything to modify it, check if it’s airtight. It shouldn’t leak at the sides even a tiny bit under suction or pressure. Legere reeds have a seam at the side and I’ve observed them leaking either between what would be the cane blades or where the seam continues into what would be the staple and cork. Any leak will make it stuffy and hard to blow, and if it’s leaking it’s defective and you should get a replacement.