 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-02-08 00:02
Somewhere on my computer I've lost an article saved from several years ago in which someone described the exact method, with pictures, of wrapping a string ligature so that it stays put. I want to experiment with it and think I remember more or less how he did it, but if anyone can post instructions here it would be very much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Karl
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Author: rtaylor
Date: 2013-02-08 18:46
One method to try is to cut a small strip of velcro, "nub" side not the fabric side. Attache it vertically to the front of your mouthpiece. This provides someting for the string to grab onto. Place a small portion of the string vertically next to the velcro. Then wrap the string starting from the top down. On the last wrap pull out a small portion and thread the end through and pull it tight.
Robert
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-02-08 19:28
I hadn't thought of using velcro that way. Since finding the Cicola article in The Clarinet last night I've been wrapping a string with reasonable success, but I'll try the velcro to see if it's easier.
I've located a U.S. source of dedicated German ligature cord - Midwest Musical Imports in Minneapolis. I don't know how much better it will work than ordinary round shoelace, but Cicola writes that it's significantly better.
Thanks,
Karl
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-02-08 22:13
Interesting - this site recommends running the first tail down the middle of the reed, not down the mouthpiece.
(BTW, you make a hyperlink by enclosing it with and - like an HTML hyperlink tag but with square brackets instead of < and >. Click Help/Rules for other formatting tags.)
Thanks very much,
Karl
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2013-02-08 22:27
I am sure there are unforgiving and bitterly opposed "tail-on-reed" and "tail-on-mouthpiece" schools of lacing a reed... ![[tongue]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie6.gif)
--
Ben
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-02-09 01:58
But, Jason, which side? And would an asymmetric ligature (tail to the side) produce a warmer sound and better projection?
This stuff is important.
Karl
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Author: donald
Date: 2013-02-09 03:28
I went to the bother of seeking out genuine German ligature string when in Hamburg some years ago, and at the top clarinet store recommended by all the symphony players I was very happy to buy some string. Only to discover that it was actually made by Yamaha!
d
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2013-02-09 05:07
I studied a year in Goettingen Germany and the method shown on the Wurlitzer site is the method I was shown. An alternative is to lay the initial tail of the string down the right side of the reed (as you are looking down on the top/vamp-side of the reed). This approach uses a little less string but has the tendency to move the reed as you wind the string.
I still find the German string ligature to be the best (although I haven't tried Velcro!). For me, the Rovner "Light" ligature comes close, but is not as warm sounding, although a lot easier to use!
Bob Barnhart
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2013-02-09 13:00
I think it's hilarious that some people will actually pay $5-10 for a piece of "real German string." Somewhere, PT Barnum is smiling.
Then again, how would our consumer-based economy work if people stopped buying what they didn't need? Somewhere Thoreau is rolling his eyes.
Eric
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The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-02-09 13:32
<shrug> Well, I guess that would have been my attitude, too. But Cicola, who presumably uses a string ligature (or did when he wrote the article), is pretty emphatic that for whatever reason (material matters?), there's a difference. Seems like there's only one way really to find out (notice, I didn't post here to ask if German ligature cord is better than shoelace). At any rate, at less than $10 it's a lot cheaper than experimenting with mouthpieces, reeds or even standard metal and cloth ligatures. At the price, I can afford to be a sucker once. If it's snake oil, my local supermarket and pharmacy sell shoelaces (though I'm not sure they're much cheaper).
Karl
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2013-02-09 13:55
"Seems like there's only one way really to find out (notice, I didn't post here to ask if German ligature cord is better than shoelace)."
Fair enough, Karl. Fwiw, when I use a string lig (which is very rare--only when I play the Wurlitzers, cuz the 3WZ mps I use need them) it's string purchased by the spool at the local fabric/crafts store (I think it's a chain--Michaels maybe). Costs me about ten times less that way, so you might check it out if string is going to be a big deal for you.
I'll try not to heckle unless you start posting that the string must come directly from the boots of blonde haired Bavarian Maidens. Then I'll have to do an intervention....
Eric
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
Post Edited (2013-02-09 13:57)
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Author: annev
Date: 2013-02-11 18:12
I've been using a string ligature consistently for the past few years. I like it best of the ligatures I've tried and it seems to work for me. I prefer craft string over shoelaces. String with a braid (so it feels textured rather then smooth) and with a slight bit of stretch seems to work best. The last time I went to a conference I ended up eyeing the string that held my name badge - it's currently on my clarinet!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-02-12 02:13
The best commonly found material in the States is referred to as "rat-tailed braid." The silk version works best for me though you can find it in a nylon version even more readily.
I don't necessarily think there is one true German cord, though I still wish I could find the exact thickness and braiding of the ones that came with my Wurlitzers some 30 years ago.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: donald
Date: 2013-02-12 04:53
@Eric- i thought it quite clear my little annecdote was intended to illustrate the irony...
But it was quite interesting to find out what the german players actually use (over a few months i investigated at several different music shops), as there are many players worldwide trying to emulate their "tradition". Of course, for many years Sabine Meyer used a 2 screw metal ligature her father gave her (and she does still, for all i know).
I usually use a string ligature (yes, still got that GERMAN STRING!) when i perform solo and chamber repertoire on E flat clarinet, but don't use it for B flat...
dn
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Author: rtaylor
Date: 2013-02-14 17:48
As crazy as it might seem the string material can make a difference in response. For a few years I was using string supplied by Wurlitzer that came with my set.
Karl Leister got me hooked on the string that Pflaumer sells on his website
http://www.sinus-reeds.de/produkte2.html
Look under "Blattschnur, Baumwolle gewirkt, mit innen laufenden Nylonfäden, schwarz oder braun"
(Reed String Ligature, cotton knitted with nylon threads running inside, black or brown)
It is a smaller diameter and seems to be more of a synthetic material that Wurlitzer's larger diameter material.
As always YMMV
Robert
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2013-02-15 20:08
In High School, for about one Summer, I used a String Ligature.
I started it with the tail right at the side of the reed. So from the bottom of the reed, up the side, and started winding it from the top.
I had gotten the string from a fabric/crafts store, and coated it with beeswax.
Was 1977, I probably got the idea online
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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