I'm a seasoned saxophone player who recently started playing clarinet because I increasing have parts that require it. The doubling is a challenge because the clarinet sits for a long time waiting, then I need to pick it up and have it play seamlessly, which is tough to do with a conventional reed. The Legere reed solves the problem entirely! I just pick it up and play. I find I practice more as well, because I spend less time fussing with reeds and can just pick up the instrument in a spare 15 minutes. For my clarinet (an older wooden Revere), the European cut worked out better than the French cut. Nice clarity of tone across all ranges and very easy-playing. The only limitation has been that it is more difficult to get the highest notes popped out, but it may be that I need a higher strength. I was playing a 2.5 (barely) in a Rico or Vandoren cane reed, and started with a 2.75 in the European cut Legere. I will go up to a 3 for the next purchase (of which there will be many in the future!)

The reed arrived yesterday, 3-29-25. I immediately tried it out. This happened to be a replacement reed (thank you, Legere, for this remarkable exchange option). I ordered a #3-strength European cut reed. Response -- Excellent throughout the instrument range, warm dark sound throughout the range, performed consistently from pp to ff. This will not be the last Legere reed I'll buy. Outstanding product.

Playing a musical with limited clarinet. No reed drying with this one!!!

I've tried many different reeds over many years, and the European Cut clarinet reeds are my favorite. They have great tone, as good as a cane reed and any other plastic reed and better than most. The freedom of not having to suck and soak a reed before use is wonderful. The wide width or the European Cut is more comfortable on my lip, and I wonder why a wider clarinet reed wasn't invented in the past.

I notice that these reeds are initially quite stiff, and it takes several hours of playing before they reach a stable strength. So if you're trying the European Cut reed for the first time, give it a chance before deciding if its strength is right for you.

In short, I love them.

As a first impression, it's really easy to blow, yet, the sound is tight enough. I feel my breath is directly converted to the sound. The reed itself is a bit shorter than regular clarinet reeds. I also like this unique appearance!