 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jnguyen
Date: 2016-08-31 03:30
I have an audition coming up soon for a youth symphony and my ligature makes it so easy to squeak on my high c to g! I know this, because I've tried other ligatures and the sections I have trouble with go by without any squeaks. I really don't want to have to change my ligature, as this one makes my tone so much better. It's a sliverstein ligature and I'm playing Weber's Second Concerto. I can't play the beginning without any squeaks, any tips?
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Author: kdk
Date: 2016-08-31 04:29
You could experiment with different amounts of tightening on your Silverstein, or placing it higher or lower on the butt of the reed.
Karl
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2016-08-31 05:39
Even a Silverstein can play badly if it's put on too loose. Tighten it up snug and then back off 1/4 turn.
Also, make sure that the reed is not leaking at the corners or along the sides.
Have you tried a new reed?
If you can't get the Silverstein to work, go back to your old ligature.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2016-08-31 16:28
If your mouthpiece table is not flat, it can be very sensitive to ligature placement and adjustment. Swollen cane reeds can also add to sensitivity. A flattened Reed surface on a flat or slightly concave mouthpiece table is is the most stable union.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2016-08-31 18:35
Don't go to the audition with a ligature you are afraid will cause you to squeak!
It would be better to choose a ligature that is stable against squeaks even if that means that you have to play with a rather different (but still good) sound. The BG Duos (silver, gold, etc.), the Ishimoris, and even the Bonades all play well with a solid centered sound and great stability (if of course your mouthpiece table is flat and the reed is decent). I'd try any one of those instead for the audition but save that problem ligature for future investigation.
Auditions are seldom won on sheer beauty of sound. It is much more important to play in tune, with really solid and pronounced rhythm and meter, and a strong musical sense for the line and phrasing of the piece or excerpt you are playing. Also, whatever kind of sound you produce, it should be one that is flexible (subject to change) and likely to blend well with the other instruments in the ensemble.
A squeak never blends well, and it makes a train wreck of the rhythm. Choose a ligature that doesn't make you squeak.
Post Edited (2016-08-31 20:26)
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2016-08-31 22:44
Ligatures don't make you "squeak". As has been mentioned check the balance of the reed against the mouthpiece you use. Also check your instrument and check yourself for any operator errors.
Peter Cigleris
Post Edited (2016-08-31 23:52)
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2016-08-31 23:55
I agree that in general ligatures do not make anyone squeak. But if a particular player reports that they are squeaking on one ligature but not on others, that perception needs to be honored rather than quickly shot down. Yes, the real cause of the squeak may lie otherwise, in reed, lay, mouthpiece, embouchure, or clarinet maladjustment or bad finger action. But as the old saying goes, "life is short, art is long," and auditions, like time, wait for no man or woman. It may turn out that for some unknown reason, the player really does squeak more on his tonally favorite ligature. So the quick, unscientific, shallow, but pragmatic response would be to use one of the ligatures that "is not associated" with squeaking for the fast-approaching audition and then ponder the deeper issue of what really is wrong.
Likely the Silverstein will finally be exonerated of any charges of contributing to squeaking and go on to assume its place as the ligature of choice. But if that cannot quickly happen, then just play on another ligature. There are only so many things that you can worry about between now and the audition. If it feels better to slap another ligature on, then do it, even it is just temporary talismatic magic.
Of course, if the squeaks persist, then you will have to look elsewhere sooner.
Post Edited (2016-09-01 01:12)
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