Legere Cor Anglais Synthetic Reed
Built to serve the needs of a broad range of English horn players, this reed offers a dependable feel and consistent performance. Its stability and ease of use make it a practical choice for concerts, rehearsals, doubling, or as a trustworthy backup to cane. While not tailored to any one player’s setup, it has been praised by many for its balance, responsiveness, and overall playability.
This is a fully synthetic reed with a blended American-European scrape. It is tuned for stable pitch and requires no soaking.
Cane is a unique material—lightweight, yet surprisingly stiff along the grain. That unique combination is what makes it vibrate so well. Reproducing those properties in a synthetic material isn’t easy—but it’s exactly what we’ve done. Legere reeds are made from a special formulation of polypropylene—a non-toxic, food-safe polymer you’ll also find in medical equipment, yogurt cups, and packaging. On its own, polypropylene is far too flexible for a reed. So we strengthen it through a process called orientation, which aligns the polymer fibers to dramatically increase stiffness. That’s the secret to the signature feel and response of a Légère reed. Because the material doesn’t absorb moisture, Légère reeds don’t need soaking, never warp, and are ready to play right out of the case. They’re durable, hygienic, and can be cleaned easily with warm water and a mild detergent. It’s cane—refined. At Légère, every reed begins in the lab—not a field. They use advanced polymer science, precision engineering, and acoustic testing to replicate the warmth and response of natural cane—without the inconsistency. But great sound isn’t created by science alone. It takes the ear of a player, the instinct of a musician, and the touch of a craftsman. That’s why our process blends rigorous material research with real-world play testing, led by beginners, professionals, and everyone in between. From student reeds built for durability and ease, to the most advanced cuts tuned for tonal complexity and dynamic control, every Légère reed is purpose-built—by scientists, refined by artists, and trusted by players.