Klarinet Archive - Posting 001104.txt from 2000/02

From: "Jay Webler" <webler@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Throwing down the glove - ligatures
Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2000 20:26:26 -0500

Walter,

I used the same reed that I had been using with my Rovner. I did record myself on all
three ligatures. (Rovner, Standard Bonade, Inverted Bonade). The difference that I was looking for
was a more vibrant, open sound. I also had my daughter, who is a piano player and has an
excellent ear, listen to see if there was any perceptible difference to her, and there was. She doesn't
know ligatures from tire irons, but she ended up telling me that there was a perceptible improvement with "that one",
which was the inverted Bonade. As I said before I had already tried the BG and the Optimum in which there was an
immediate perceptible difference between that and the Rovner.

As far as scratches are concerned, I am not saying that it is acceptable, however as I look
at the design of the Bonade it seems inevitable. It has been suggested to me that I used
a piece of tape to protect the mouthpiece, which I have done. Since I have done that, I did
another test of both the Rovner and the Bonade. As I expected the good qualities I have found
in these mouth pieces are only enhanced. The qualities I am looking for in a mouthpiece: focused sound, intonation,
smooth transitions when going from Chalameau to Altisimo back to Clarion or Chalameau and across the break, are not effected
by the ligature as far as I can tell.

One thing I have noticed is that the perceptible change is less on a high quality mouthpiece when compared
to my present mouthpiece, which is a 5RV Lyre 13. As I have been trying out better mouth pieces, I have found
it harder and harder to go back to using my regular mouthpiece. In a week I will not have to do that anymore.

I wish the Bonade did not have the problem of scratching mouth pieces, and frankly they should fix it. Once I make my decision I will continue to
use the tape to protect the mouthpiece. My concern with the the more expensive ligatures, is frankly a price which
I think is ridiculous. Perhaps I am comparing apples to oranges, but I can go out and by a heavy duty cymbal stand
for my drumset with has 100's, if not thousands of times more metal in them for the same price that I can get a Optimum ligature.
(I know that someone will probably point out that tire irons are cheaper too, but cymbal stands have much more aesthetic qualities than tire Irons.
You have to be a drummer to understand). I understand that there are research and development costs, and the principles of supply and demand are at work, but it will be
hard to convince me that these ligatures can't be sold at a more reasonable price.

Jay Webler
Jay's Clarinet and Percussion

On Sun, 27 Feb 2000 11:39:40 EST, GrabnerWG@-----.com wrote:

>In a message dated 2/26/00 10:54:55 PM Central Standard Time, webler@-----.net
>writes:
>
><< After a discussion with my teacher I decided to try the inverted Bonade
>and found that was everything I was looking for in a ligature with a price
>that I could live with. >>
>
>Jay, what was it that you found attractive abou the Bonade? Did you have
>others listen, in blind tests. Did you tape yourself, keeping all other
>aspects as nearlt the same as you could.
>
>So often, and I admit I have done this myself, we taint the "results" or a
>test, simply by wanting a particular result. For example, choosing a reed
>that really works well with your Bonade, even though it may NOT be
>representative of what you usually play on. I'm NOT saying you did this, I'm
>interested in the process you went through.
>
>Also, why is it acceptable for a brand new ligature to scratch up a
>mouthpiece so badly, that you cannot use it it trying out mouthpieces? If you
>have choosen this as "your" ligature, doesn't using something else invalidate
>the mouthpiece tests you are currently undertaking?
>
>Some thoughts...
>
> 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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