Klarinet Archive - Posting 000857.txt from 1997/04

From: John Verity <jverity@-----.com>
Subj: ligature questions
Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 19:20:36 -0400

Two questions, if I may:

I use an oldish metal ligature, silver-plated, I think, from Selmer --
to my untrained eye, it's the traditional clarinet ligature.
Now, I wonder how this should be placed on the mouthpiece -- with the
split-opening and two screws directly over the reed, or should it be 180
degrees opposite?
On one Benny Goodman album I have, he's seen with the screws on the
other side of the mouthpiece from the reed. Yet, on another album, I see
Jimmy Noone doing exactly the opposite. Or doesn't it really matter?

Finally, how tight should this ligature be holding the reed? Just a
light turn of the screw(s), or a something harder? Is there some sign of
over- or under-tightening I should be looking or listening for?

Thanks in advance,
John

@-----. Verity
140 Eighth Ave. Apt. 5R
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11215-1728
718-622-5680
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