 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-10-03 04:05
For a long time I've positioned my ligatures where the bottom is on or below the lowest line on my 5RV lyre mouthpiece. And that's how I placed my new Versa X for the first month or so. But a few days ago I was experimenting and tried it with the bottom even with the 2nd line on the mouthpiece. And it plays better- for now at least (I know all such improvements are subject to long term verification).
I had been tending toward lower placements because somebody here said ligature should be centered on the bark or close to that. And now it's not. Did I misunderstand? Is it a big deal? (Yes I know that what works is right, by definition.)
I also am taking in as much mouthpiece as I can, also on the advice of somebody here- and that's working well for me. Anyway, now I find my lower lip occasionally bumping against the ligature. Not really a problem, it just makes me wonder if anyone else does that. And whether that means I'm against some kind of limit, like I can't put the ligature any higher even if I wanted to, without using less mouthpiece. Or conversely, I can't take more mouthpiece without lowering the ligature. And I dislike limits, in general, LOL.
(I would prefer to give credit by name for things that have gone well for me, but on the other hand- if some of you have tried any of MY suggestions and they've gone poorly for you, I'd just as soon you forgot whose ideas they were.)
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-10-03 04:19
fskelley wrote:
> I had been tending toward lower placements because somebody
> here said ligature should be centered on the bark or close to
> that. And now it's not. Did I misunderstand? Is it a big deal?
> (Yes I know that what works is right, by definition.)
>
You've answered your own question. The best place for the ligature is where it provides the most comfort.
> I also am taking in as much mouthpiece as I can, also on the
> advice of somebody here- and that's working well for me.
> Anyway, now I find my lower lip occasionally bumping against
> the ligature.
You'd need to draw this or have someone take a photo. I'm having trouble envisioning your lip's hitting the ligature unless you're placing your lip all the way down at the end of the vamp (the beginning of the bark), which I don't think would produce anything but squawks on a 5RV. What part of the ligature are you hitting? The top edge? Is it hitting your lip or your chin? Maybe you're exaggerating the closeness of the angle between your reed and your lip and chin?
In any case, if it doesn't interfere with playing, it probably doesn't matter, except that your lip may get irritated by the contact with the ligature's edge.
Karl
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-10-03 04:46
Karl- you know, it probably is chin not actually lip. I'll have to look in the mirror, or do a self-timer photo. In any case, it feels unusual, though I have had it happen in the distant past.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-10-03 05:04
fskelley wrote:
> Karl- you know, it probably is chin not actually lip. I'll have
> to look in the mirror, or do a self-timer photo. In any case,
> it feels unusual, though I have had it happen in the distant
> past.
>
Well, if it's pressing into your chin, you're holding the clarinet down at a fairly severe angle. I know people who play that way. The best angle, like most else, is the one at which you feel the most secure control. One reason some prefer inverted ligatures is that they can bring the clarinet down closer without the screw(s) hitting their chins .
Karl
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-10-03 08:33
I know what you are experiencing. It is one of the reasons I got away from my Vandoren Optimum. I too prefer a more "in-toward-the-body" angle for the clarinet. If the bumping becomes an irritant, you would just need to consider an inverted style. The Vandoren M/Os are fantastic; I can't say enough great things about them!!
Or just put up with it.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-10-03 09:52
Yes- Versa X is inverted, but the player side does protrude more than most ligatures. I'll supply some photos in a day or 2.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-10-03 17:01
Oh..... but it's one of those "built up" ones. Same sort of issues with the whole BG line.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-10-05 08:59
Attachment: DSCs-08468.JPG (130k)
Attachment: DSCs-08477.JPG (124k)
Here are a couple of photos. I'd be interested in knowing if anything looks unusual to you. It would appear that my lip occasionally touches the top of the ligature right next to the mouthpiece.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-10-05 16:45
I use the reed as the basis for where to place the ligature (the lines of ligature on a mouthpiece could not possibly be more arbitrary). Though I have had one ligature for which I got a better response putting the ligature slightly above the mid point of the bark, all others have allowed the reed to be more vibrant when positioned at or slightly below the "middle." By "middle" I mean the edges of the ligature will be equidistant from the very bottom of the reed and the point where the vamp starts. For me, it is important to allow the vamp to vibrate as freely as possible.
Of course if that is not your experience then you might be better served (in the photographed scenario) finding a ligature with a thinner contact surface over the reed such as the M/O.
................Paul Aviles
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