Legere Signature Tenor Saxophone 2.5

After so many years playing a cane reed I have decided to try synthetic reeds. I was playing Vandoren Java 3. I ordered two reeds. The Fiberreed Onyx size M and also Legere - 2,5. Both are easy blowing but the Legere plays the Low range and the altissimo range with a bit more resistance. The size M for the Onyx I found right for me but the 2,5 Legere is a bit harder. It has quite a dark sound. If you need to push it it won’t give you enough power to cut through the band sound for a solo. It is perfect if you have to play in a band. Fiberreed Onyx fits better to my way of playing. I tested the reeds with Vandoren V16 and Meyer mouthpieces.

I wanted to try synthetic reeds for tenor because I play in an orchestra and we sometimes need to play outside in the weather. The humidity and or the sun is bad for the cane reeds, not that it does something bad to them but it dries them out in the sun very fast and when you need to start suddenly playing it's impossible, because it's dried out, it squeaks and has poor sound. Been playing the Legere 2,5 on tenor for about 2 years now just for myself and the orchestra. Never had any problems with playing outside anymore, no need to wet them as well, just slap it on and get playing. The reed strength is somewhat personal for everyone, some people like weaker reeds, some more resistant, for me 2,5 is the sweet spot. So overall I can say that I recommend them for anyone, but especially to people who play outside. Sound is very nice as well. Be careful of the sides though, I've had one reed where there was a synthetic string dangling off the side of the reed, a manufacturing defect probably and as stupid as I was I tried pulling it off and it damaged the reed, so careful of little manufacturing mistakes as these, very rare in my experience, but definetly something to look out for.