Klarinet Archive - Posting 000399.txt from 1999/03
From: Craig Butcher <cbutcher@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] question about optimum ligature
Date: Sat, 6 Mar 1999 11:29:39 -0500
Scorp1014@-----.com wrote:
> the ligature). What kind I do to fix this .... use pliers to reshape the
> metal mouthpiece cap ? Get a plastic mouthpiece cap ? Besides that little
>
Get a plastic cap and an xacto knife; modify the opening in the plastic cap to fit
the ligature. Don't bend it! Put a dead reed or reed blank on the mouthpiece and
put the ligature over it--this protects the table, MP tip, and ligature. Don't
tighten the ligature much for storage. Make sure the opening you cut will still
keep the tip of the mouthpiece from contacting the inside of the cap when stored.
I like the Optimum ligature because it's QUICK and it's EASY and it's SECURE. I
don't know how much better it makes the reed sound, but it sounds OK and the reed
stays where I want it and I don't have to fiddle with two screws and if I want to
twitch the reed a bit on the MP it's quick and easy.
If you fool with the plates, be careful not to bend the ligature.
I suspect the extra plates are sort of a gimmick, but it's still a fun gimmick.
Remember though that this can be a form of "golf madness"--fooling yourself into
thinking you just need a new putter or set of irons when what you need mostly is
lessons and practice! I had to resist the temptation to start changing MP and
ligatures and reeds whenever I started to have problems with something. You can
waste a lot of time that way!
On the other hand, I decided to blame my old instrument for all kinds of problems
I had been having, so I bought an R-13 and tried and found a MP that seems to work
well with it and guess what--I'm actually really in tune and I can play all kinds
of reeds I thought were bad before..and I am actually contributing (a little) to
the quality sound we want in the band. Definitely this is a vastly better
instrument and I play and sound better. So sometimes the equipment can help.
I suppose the lesson is: get the best equipment you can afford, then forget about
equipment, buckle down and WORK!
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