Klarinet Archive - Posting 000836.txt from 1997/05

From: Rick Torrey <Whatasax@-----.com>
Subj: RE: Ligatures - OK Please explain
Date: Fri, 30 May 1997 09:24:23 -0400

As far as why each metal sounds or responds differently I do not know. =
However, as far as ligatures my opinion is to stay away from most =
Rovners as they have a tendency to "deaden" the sound. It is my OPINION =
that the best ligatures make the least contact with the reed, therefore =
allowing the whole reed to vibrate. My personal experience is that the =
best ligatures for me are the BG Traditional(gold plated) and the =
Winslows with as few contacts as possible(I use 3). Again this is my =
opinion and as was stated by someone before I really don't care as much =
why as the fact that it works
rick aka Whatasax@-----.com

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From: Edwin V. Lacy[SMTP:el2@-----.edu]
Subject: RE: Ligatures - OK Please explain

On Thu, 29 May 1997 Jrykorten@-----.com wrote:

> In fact my scientific backgound has not prepared me for this one (no
> surprise). Can somebody explain how, considering the pressures =
involved,
> different metals can sound different when used as a ligature? This =
certainly
> smacks of marketing hypnotization to these jaded ears!

I think it would be very useful for you, given your scientific
orientation, to attack this question. I don't know what makes the two
Harrison ligatures sound different to the player, and feel different as
well, but I know from trying them that the sensation of playing them is
different, on both the clarinet and the saxophone.

BTW, while they are called "gold" and "silver," I believe it is correct
that neither are made of those metals. Some alloys of brass are =
involved,
possibly plated in at least one of the Harrison ligatures.

I have been curious about the question you raise, but from the viewpoint
of practicality for the musician, I have always been more interested in
which one works best for me, rather than why this is true.

Is there a possible research project here? A potential article in a
technical journal?

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu