Klarinet Archive - Posting 000457.txt from 1999/12

From: "Kevin Fay (LCA)" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Ligatures.
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1999 10:10:30 -0500

Danny Ehrhart asked if "anyone have any opinions about the Vanoren Optimum
Ligiture" etc.

OK -- I'm a sucker. I bought one. I even use it, with the plate with the
horizontal ribs. It works for me.

I like it because I use different barrels for the Bb and the A -- it's
grippy enough to be able to pull the mouthpiece comparatively free of fear
that the reed will go "SPUNG!" straight up in the air with but few measures
to play on the different horn. (Rovners do, too -- but the rubber always
started dissolving on me, leaving black streaks on my face. Didn't like
that.) This is at best a rationalization as to why I spent so much money on
it.

Different ligatures will make reeds respond a little differently. Is one
"better" than another? Probably not. Not that I haven't tried -- I own a
drawer full of them. While I have preferences, I don't think that most of
the differing characteristics are audible.

I recall an interview with Buddy Wright (former principal at Boston, and a
pretty good clarinet player) where he *insisted* that the ligature was
terribly important -- without one, your thumb gets awful tired holding the
reed on!

kjf

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