Klarinet Archive - Posting 000320.txt from 2003/01

From: "Bill Semple" <wsemple@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] legere reeds and ligatures
Date: Sun, 19 Jan 2003 10:53:57 -0500

I have been using the Van Doren ligature with its default plate, which
performs about the same as a Bonade. The Legere is a bit finicky and harder
to affix to the top of the mouthpiece. I have also found that it is very
sensitive to how it is placed on the mouthpiece.

I used the Van Doren ligature after twenty years with a standard Bonade
(screws on bottom).

I am not a student of ligatures, but the Van Doren offers three different
cover plates. The "default" plate distributes the pressure evenly across the
top of the reed via four evenly spaced ridges parallel to the reed. The
second has two rails at the top and bottom of the plate running at 90 degree
angle to the reed. The third has a point at each corner. Van Doren claims
these make a difference. So far I have used only the default, as my first
impression was that this worked best, and I have stuck with it.

I have no scientific clue about what these variations do to the playability
of the Legere, much less any reed. It seems to me that the best set-up is a
firm base which allows for dispersal of the reed's vibration evenly and
without excessive constriction. Hence, I tighten the ligature to the point
where the reed is firmly in place, but no more.

My theory is based on the perhaps incorrect notion that the entire reed is
in play, and it would be a mistake to excessively dampen the heel of the
reed. But it is important that reed is FLAT and remains so. The default
plate of the Van Doren tends to mitigate against warpage, making more reeds
playable.

On the other hand, if the ligature were to allow for a different disperal of
vibrations, one might tend to get a more responsive or perhaps even
different sound.

The Bonade has two parallel rails.

----- Original Message -----
From: "James Fay" <n3hpz@-----.com>
Subject: [kl] legere reeds and ligatures

> Has anyone found that particular ligatures work better with Legere reeds?
>
> --Jim Fay
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>

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