Klarinet Archive - Posting 000306.txt from 1995/03

From: Thomas Labadorf <Labadorf@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Ligatures
Date: Sat, 11 Mar 1995 00:31:34 -0500

On March 9, Fred Cicetti said,

---
I thought everyone knew about Rovner rubber ligatures. They are string
ligatures without all the wrapping and binding. They produce a dark
sound, they have only one screw and, instead of getting only 4 or 5
decent reeds out of a box, you get eight. I don't have any financial
interest in the company. But I'd never play another metal ligature.
---

I bought a Rovner around 1980, and I didn't like it much then because it held
the reed on the mouthpiece too tightly. I think they changed styling since
then because I recently tried on of my students and it freed up the my reed
significantly. I agree, Fred. It is a decent ligature.

While I'm on the subject: Below are a few of the ligatures I've used rated
from best to worst:

1. My right thumb. Too bad I need it to hold up my clarinet, otherwise I'd
use it all the time.

2. String ligature. Actually, it's a green, braided cord that has a little
stretch to it somtimes called 'elephant cord.' I wrap it seven or eight
times with an extra loop on top to sieze the end. It works great in the
summer, but the northern dry winter climate is too harsh, and this ligature
doesn't hold the reeds from warping. Never tried a shoe string.

3. New Rovner

4. Vandouren reverse screws black. Screws are on the front of the
mouthpiece, and the color probably doesn't matter much.

5. Metal benade

6. Old Rovner

7. Stock buffet reversed. Industrial strength. Probably the worsed
ligature I've ever used.

Tom L.