 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Gazebo Dealer
Date: 2004-08-04 19:09
I am in a bind. I am looking for a ligature. And I'm not sure whether to stay with metal, or to go to a fabric mouthpiece (RV EDII or BG SR). I am currently playing on a Charles Bay ligature, and I first bought that when I was on my Gigliotti mpc. But I am not feeling that the CB lig is doing benefitting me as much as when I was on my Gigliotti. I recently did a test of which ligature I liked better on my Richard Hawkins between the standard Buffet lig and the CB. I found that I produced a better sound on the Buffet, and so did other players in my section. I switch between Vandoren V12's/Rue Lepic's and Gonzalez reeds. All of which are in a strength equivalent to a 4 in V12's. I am always leaning towards a darker sound, but I'd much rather have a pure sound than a dark sound. Are there any suggestions for this mpc as to stay on a metal lig or go to a fabric lig? And what setup works for all of you other RH mpc users? Please help, as I need to order a ligature by tomorrow in order for it to arrive before school starts.
Thanks for your time.
P.S. I am on the professional RH model "b" mpc.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2004-08-04 19:37
In my experiences, many of the fabric ligatures seem to dampen the reed. I prefer metal ligatures. One of the ligatures that I have found to give the purest sound, with a full range of colors and is very responsive, is the Francois Louis Ultimate Ligature. The only real way to know is to try variety of ligatures and see what works best for you.
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Author: EEBaum
Date: 2004-08-04 19:42
On my Richard Hawkins "B":
I use a Rovner fabric ligature, I think an older Eddie Daniels model. I use about the same reed combinations you do, though a bit softer (V12 3.5, 4; Rue Lepic 3.5, 3.5+; Gonzales 3.5, 3.75, with preferences to the 3.5, 3.5+, and 3.5 respectively).
Compared to the Hawkins, most ligatures are pretty inexpensive. I'd recommend picking up a few different ones and seeing which you like (it's on my list of stuff to do). I've also tried a BG, but didn't like it quite as much, and have a metal one I've been meaning to try (I'll probably eventually shell out for a Vandoren Optimum too).
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
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Author: klarinetkid
Date: 2004-08-04 21:29
I like to use a Bonade inverted on my Hawkins B. Because the table has a slight concavity, I feel that the Bonade helps the reed to achieve a better seal on the table of the mouthpiece. Then again, it may be my imagination
Good luck!
John
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2004-08-04 21:42
String is better than any ligature. When you try ligatures, you should always compare what you try to string.
The ligature I use most is an inexpensive Martin, with the metal bent a bit so it doesn't bind on the edges of the reed. This is also what Richard Stoltzman uses -- maybe the only thing he and I have in common.
Harold Wright used an inverted Bonade. Robert Marcellus used an inverted Boande with the vertical band connecting the top and bottom halves cut out.
Rovners are inexpensive and easy to use. Some people feel they muffle the sound, though. I have a Rovner light, which I use sometimes and which gives a freer tone than the standard model.
The Luyben is light plastic and very inexpensive. I don't particularly like them, but a lot of people do, and they're so cheap it's worth getting one even if you don't use it. According to the instgructions that come with them, they have to be screwed *very* tight to work best.
I used a Lurie for a while, but put it away because it sounded dull.
I tried an early metal Portnoy, which touched the reed only with four small dimples, but it dug holes in the reeds.
I've tried the Vandoren Optimum and the various BG models and can't tell any difference.
I have a Spriggs Floating Rail model, which Mark uses, and I think it's good, but no better than the less expensive ones.
I played a very expensive Winslow for a while, but it chewed up the reeds and sounded better up close than at a distance.
I also have an Oleg, which can play very well but is too much bother to adjust.
I'd stay away from the fancy, $50+ ligatures. For me, the lighter the better. When I have to play my best, I use string. I use a round string rather than a flat one, but many people use a shoelace.
Here's how I apply the string:
1. Hold the mouthpiece (or better, the mouthpiece and barrel) vertical with the lay facing toward you.
2. Put the reed in place and hold it with your left thumb.
3. Lay the string alongside the right side of the butt.
4. Pinch the string by rolling your left thumb slightly to the right.
5. Hold tight with your left thumb and take a couple of clockwise turns at the top, holding each turn in place with the tip of your left thumb.
6. Re-align the reed.
7. Turn the mouthpiece horizontal with the tip pointing to the right.
8. Take 3 or 4 more turns, pulling them tight.
9. Re-align the reed in its final position.
10. Continue wrapping. Keep it tight, with the extra string from the beginning running alongside the right side of the butt.
11. When you get to maybe 2 turns left to go, hold the wrapped part with your left thumb and take one really loose turn. Tuck the end of the string under this loose turn and pull tight.
It gets to be easy after you do it a few times, and nothing plays better.
Arnold the Basset Hornist, a great character who seems not to post here any more, supplied step by step photos: http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Uploads/strnglig.html.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Gazebo Dealer
Date: 2004-08-04 21:57
Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I plan on attempting the shoelace ligature. A teacher of mine, Sasha Potiomkin, told me the story behind fabric ligs. It all goes back to German players who used shoelaces as ligatures. I am delighted to finally know how to do this. I don't use the stock Buffet because I know there are better ligs out there. And the Buffet screws are always slipping out. Could someone tell me what the major differences between fabric and metal ligs are?
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Author: Ed
Date: 2004-08-04 23:26
FWIW- Harold Wright used regular Bonade ligatures.
Post Edited (2004-08-05 02:21)
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2004-08-05 03:18
The difference is this:
Order both. Play them and record them in a hall of your choice. Send back the loser. If people would do this more often, there might not be so much squabble over equipment.
Point in case: I bought a mouthpiece that I liked very much at the shop. Went to a hall and recorded with it. I took it back thinking, what the hell did I hear in that! Don't let your ears misjudge you. Listen to the sound as if you were in the hall.
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Author: 68fordfalcon
Date: 2004-08-05 17:21
Hi. I have been playing a Hawkins for a few years, an older model prior to the B an S distinctions. I have tried many different ligatures with my mouthpiece, but i have always come back to a regular Bonade ligature. The only other ligature I particularly like with it is an old Rovner Light I have. I feel the Bonade regular gives a little more clarity and center, particularly in orchestra playing. I put the ligature just below the top stripe (.5 mm or so below) and tighten the top screw a little more than the bottom one. I think due to the concavity in the table this enables the reed tip to be slightly more open.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-08-09 11:45
I think the Bonade Inverted is certainly one of the finest designs that is there...
there is alot of money being blown on gadgetry and such but a fine Bonade inverted is a gem and worth keeping in the case.
As to the Rovners I do find they play with a good deal of flexibility but can lose the grip on the reed as well. Be sure to try all of the Rovner types to find what works best...dark, med light etc.
David Dow
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