Klarinet Archive - Posting 000300.txt from 1994/05

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Ligatures
Date: Wed, 18 May 1994 20:15:17 -0400

I want to thank Conrad for having given us such complete information
about the Sabin ligature. I had heard about it in very glowing terms
before, but never could find out where to get one since there did not
seem to be a distribution sales vehicle. Thanks Conrad, I am going to
write to Sabin tonight.

I wish to inquire why so many people are making reference to sound quality
being a function of the ligature type? Actually, they are probably making
reference to sound quality being a function of the way a particular
ligature constrains the reed on the mouthpiece but I think I understand
that to be their meaning. Several people had even made reference to the
dreaded d-word (dark sound) when suggesting use of the Rovner ligature.

I wish to say up front that what I know about ligatures (other than their
obvious function) is almost total nothingness. I have a half dozen or
so but I bought them over a long period of time and I probably got them
because they were recommended by someone who knew more than I (not at
all hard to do with respect to ligatures), or because they appealed
to me intuitively, such as the Rovner (because is holds the reed with
such apparent firmness).

So in this case, my inquiries are in the spirit of gaining knowledge.
Therefore I inquire what there is in a particular ligature that could
have any effect at all on the character of the sound? It appears to go against
logic. Since that part of the reed that does not vibrate anyway is
being constrained, and since the fastening of the reed to the mouthpiece
appears to be the most significant function being served by the
ligature, why would one have any superiority over any other.

I hear that string ligatures are great, but when I inquire why, I don't
get any answers. Is it fashionable or technically superior? What makes
it so (if that is the answer)?

Are ligatures and their use another example of fashion being dressed up
in technical terms?

I have a Bay ligature for a bass clarinet and it is solid silver. I love
it because it is expensive and makes me think grand and glorious rich
thoughts. I have a Rovner ligatures for one of my basset horns and
Clarke Fobes sold it to me and it works just fine, but I don't understand
what would make one better (in any clarinet playing sense) than any other.

====================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
====================================

   
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