Klarinet Archive - Posting 000222.txt from 2000/03

From: "Kevin Fay (LCA)" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Definitive Ligature Advice
Date: Tue, 7 Mar 2000 01:24:52 -0500

Hey listmates--

On reviewing the vast stream of mail over this subject, it occurred to me
that we are failing the young and new. Sure, linguistic hermeneutics are
fun and all, but what should we actually tell kids about the little thingy
that holds the reed on?

We could point out that most any ligature on the market is used by *someone*
to get a great sound. You can use anything from a cheap 2-screw metal one
(like Stanley Drucker) to one of those really expensive Optimums (like Larry
Combs), or even something tried and true like a Bonade (like, well, Bonade).
All of those are acceptable, but only if you're willing to sound like
Drucker, Combs or Bonade.

On the other hand, there are some ligatures (or similar devices) that you
should steer clear of because they are not performance enhancing. I thought
that I'd provide a list of the "bottom ten" that should not be used. All my
opinion, of course.

1. Thumbs.

You thumb makes a dandy ligature -- tends to hold the reed on with just the
right amount of pressure. While very useful for things like trying reeds
out, the use of the thumb does limit your performance possibilities
somewhat. In particular, should you use your left thumb to hold the reed
on, you tend to be limited to playing only one note -- open G -- and the
harmonics thereof. Unless you are playing Cage's 4'33" you will need to
play more notes than that.

Some folks use the *right* hand thumb. This opens up an entire palette of
notes for use. You can now play Ignatz Gertz' clarinet concerto for the
left hand. If you need any of the notes produced by the lower joint,
however, you need to use something else.

Major orchestras have fixed this problem by hiring "Assistant Principals"
for their first chair players. With this person holding the reed on for
you, you can now play all of the notes you need. Even so, switching the
mouthpiece from horn to horn is a bother. Plus, you need to trust the
assistant not to let go of the reed when you have your solo -- not that they
want your job or anything.

2. Screws.

Lets say that you've done it all with the Reed Duall, and then spiffed it up
with the PerfectaReed. You now have the definitive, best reed ever.
There's really no reason to screw it up with a ligature, just drill a pilot
hole through it into your mouthpiece and affix it to the mouthpiece with a
wood screw! If it ever gets loose, another quarter turn of the screw will
set you right up.

There's lots of debate in the single-reed (ever) community over the use of
one screw versus the use of two (or more), and how much you should tighten
the top screw versus the bottom. Some debate whether the extra resonance
from the additional mass of the Phillips screw head darkens the sound, or if
the normal slot screw is OK. Some nuts use wing nuts! All open issues for
further research.

The only problem we've found with this approach is that the table of your
mouthpiece is no longer flat, and may not be suitable for use with other
reeds after this treatment. So be sure that you've found the perfect reed
to put on first, lest you be screwed with the wrong reed.

3. Krazy Glue.

Modern science has given us adhesives that will bind dissimilar materials --
like reeds and mouthpieces. You don't need a screw anymore; just put your
perfect reed on with Krazy Glue!

An advantage to Krazy Glue is that, with the proper use of acetone, you may
even be able to remove the reed so that you can try another one. Just soak
the entire mouthpiece in acetone for a day or so. If it doesn't dissolve
completely, you can give it another try. In addition, the possibility for
practical jokes w/ Krazy Glue will certainly lighten up your rehearsals.
Teachers take note.

Be careful, however, to make sure that the Krazy Glue is absolutely dry
before playing -- else you will find a whole new meaning to the "tip-to-tip"
tonguing technique.

4. Duct Tape.

Otherwise known as the Red Green solution, duct tape can be used to fix most
anything. It will hold your reed on for sure. The white sticky glue that
holds it on isn't much different from Krazy glue, it just doesn't taste so
good.

The upside is that you can tear off a little piece for those emergency pad
repairs, fix the odd crack, or hold the muffler onto your car. If you use
half the roll, you can free up one of your car's hose clamps, too (see
below).

5. Rubber Bands.

In a pinch, you can secure your reed to your mouthpiece with a rubber band.
It's a snap. Please note, however, that the applicable verbs here are
"pinch" and "snap." For those of use with facial hair, use of a rubber band
can be quite painful unless you are very careful.

Kids note -- the rubber band has other uses. You can use it as a weapon to
distract the first chair player during their solo. It's a snap!

6. String.

As we all know, Germans have been tying their reeds on with string for a
long time. Unfortunately, it can take a long time to do the string thing.
Military historians have generally agreed that the greater speed of affixing
reeds with metal ligatures was the determining factor in the Allies' victory
in the Second World War -- so maybe this isn't such a good idea after all.

David Pino recommends the use of flat shoestring in his book. It works OK,
as long as you remember to remove the string from the shoe first.

7. Wire.

Closely related to the string ligature is the wire ligature. It looks like
a string ligature, except you use wire. Wire tends to hold its shape better
than string. You do need to be careful to tuck the ends in, though, else
(in the words of my mother) "you could put your eye out with that thing!"

You can make an inexpensive wire ligature by stealing a couple of twist ties
from the produce section of your local grocery. Generally, twist ties have
a spiffy paper covering. This would therefore be the "covered" model of the
wire ligature, sort of like Charles Bay's. For a darker sound, use thicker
wire (like stereo cable from your local Radio Shack).

The very best wire ligatures are make from "barbed" wire. In addition to
making sure that the student does not hold the clarinet too close to the
chin, the barbed wire ligature makes the clarinet a much more effective
weapon for use at away football games. (A strong suggestion is to use a
less expensive metal clarinet for this -- they are easier to sharpen).

8. Hose Clamps.

There really is no need to go to a music store to pay several dollars for a
ligature. Auto supply stores carry a product remarkably similar for just
pennies: radiator hose clamps. (If you don't have a buck, just take one off
your car -- you can drive miles before you'll really need it.) They come in
all sizes, one will fit your mouthpiece for sure.

The only downside to hose clamps is that a screwdriver is necessary to
adjust the tension. This should not be a problem, however, since clarinet
players *always* have a screwdriver in their case for the purpose of messing
up their instruments. To be sure, hose clamps will scratch up your
mouthpiece, but you'll more than make up the cost savings with the lower
initial price.

9. C-Clamps.

A close relative of the hose clamp is the C-clamp, available in any hardware
store. They're better than hose clamps because they cost more money. They
are also designed to be used with wood, and reeds are kind of like wood,
right?

You need to be careful, however, not to use a clamp that is too big. If you
use the inverted C-clamp -- that is, with the hand screw pointing skyward --
a large one will block your view of the conductor more than a Texan flute
player with big hair. OTOH, the long bolt of the non-inverted style might
dig into your chin or -- for the larger, bass C-clamp -- even your throat.
This makes both quiet and loud passages difficult.

10. The Perpetrator.

The very worst ligature that there is, however, is the one on your clarinet
when you screw up bad. If you can convince yourself that it was the
ligature's fault, you don't have to take personal responsibility for not
selecting a decent reed, or practicing, or learning your part etc. Just try
a different one!

. . . obviously with too much time on my hands today.

kjf

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