Klarinet Archive - Posting 001166.txt from 2000/02

From: "Don Yungkurth" <clarinet@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Rovner Ligature Lore (was Toys)
Date: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 14:17:13 -0500

To save research time, I'm using part of Tony Pay's introduction to his
excellent comments about our fascination with "toys". The discussion about
how to tighten the ligature screws reminded me of some of the instructions
that came with my bottom-of-the-line Rovner.

>On Mon, 28 Feb 2000 13:36:57 -0500, BEresman@-----.com said:

> At 10:18 PM 2/27/2000 -0500, Bryan Cholfin wrote:
>
> > With two-screw type metal ligatures, is there a consensus about how
> > much to tighten the screws? I've read a recommendation to leave the
> > bottom a little less tight than the top. And it seems like if I make
> > it _too_ tight it deadens the reponse.
>
> And then Bill Hausmann wrote:
>
> > I was taught just the opposite - tighten down the bottom screw and
> > leave the top one only barely tight. That doesn't make it right, of
> > course, but there it is for your evaluation.

The Rovner literature states (in part):

"By moving the ligature toward or away from the end of the mouthpiece,
experiment to find the position that works best for a given reed.
Generally, locations closer to the tip improve intonation at the expense of
response in the low register. Also, by cocking the ligature forwards or
backwards before tightening variations in tone and response can be
attained.

Cocked forward gives a more open, brighter response. Cocked backward gives
a darker, more covered sound." (There is no mention of or apology to Dan
Leeson at this point).

Since "cocked froward" and "cocked backward" are illustrated with line
drawings, I should probably explain what is shown in the illustrations.
With the ligature in place, but not tightened, hold the ligature in place
against the reed and push (i. e., cock) the portion of the ligature with
the screw toward the tip of the mouthpiece and then tighten - this is
"cocked forward". "Cocked backward" would be to move the screw towards the
tuning barrel. Obviously, with only one screw, you don't have to worry
about the original two-screw ligature problem!

Other comments about Rovners:

"Reeds which perform well with metal ligatures will not always work with
the Rovner Ligature." They point out the need to select reeds which
perform well with the Rovner and suggest that "the initial tryout may
result in a darker, less brilliant tone quality" and that "with some
experimentation of different reeds and adjustments an even greater tonal
brilliance can generally be achieved".

My experience with the Rovner was one of immediate satisfaction - I liked
the sound and found it a lot less fuss and lot more stable than any of
three or four typical two-screw metal ligatures I had, including an
inverted Bonade.

As to the tonal difference with "cocking", I couldn't hear any change.
They do mention a break-in period, however, and I haven't tried their
suggestions other than when the ligature was brand new.

Don Yungkurth (clarinet@-----.net)

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