Klarinet Archive - Posting 000091.txt from 2000/02

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Velcro ligature
Date: Wed, 2 Feb 2000 21:24:27 -0500

In a message dated 2/1/00 9:01:16 PM Central Standard Time,
cranked@-----.net writes:

<<
Based on an idea also in the Pino book, I've made myself a ligature out of a
short velcro strip. To my (admittedly non-expert) ears, the sound is the
same as with the standard metal ligature that came with the clarinet, except
it's much easier to use.
>>

The function of the ligature is to hold the reed on the mouthpiece, in a
manner that the reed can vibrate against the facing of the mouthpiece to
create the "puffs" of air necessary to start the column of air vibrating.

The annoying point about ligatures, is that they almost always DEGRADE the
tone produced. How can I say this?

Try this experiment. Hold the reed on the mouthpiece firmly, with your right
thumb, while playing left hand fingered notes, in both registers. Most of you
will notice a noticable improvement in the quality of your sound. As my
teacher, John Mohler, used to say, "The best ligature is your thumb".

The best ligatures not only allow free vibration of the reed, but DAMPEN the
vibrations that we do not want. There are two reasons that string makes an
excellent ligature; 1. string has an excellent ability to dampen unwanted
vibrations, and, 2. it's almost impossible to put too much pressure on the
reed, thus distorting it (and the mouthpiece) out of shape.

I have been intrigued for some time with the use of Velcro for ligatures, in
that I feel it has much the same dampening quality as string, and is easier
to handle. I find, however, that even the widest, stiffest velcro has a
little too much "give" in it , and can't quite stand up to the stresses
involved.

Experiment as I might, I keep going back to metal ligatures, my old Kaspar,
or a heavy brass Boosey & Hawkes ligature that's probably as old as I am. I
"feel" that I have a slightly different (better) sound using string, but not
enough to warrant the extra trouble.

Any other comments on Velcro????

Walter Grabner

http://www.clarinetxpress.com
Hand Crafted Clarinet Mouthpieces:
Bb/A, Eb, Bass
Clarinet Reed Making Kit
"Making Clarinet Reeds By Hand"

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