 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-09-21 23:01
I've heard that the best ligature around is the human thumb. Maybe in jest, but I've heard it.
For that matter, why doesn't anyone try to create a ligature where something presses up against the reed that is just about as flexible as the thumb? For instance, something with a plate that presses up against the reed, but attached to that plate is material that clostly resembles the properties of human skin. I KNOW that there is that material out there . . . although mostly used for . . . uh . . . other purposes.
Just a thought.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-09-21 23:10
>>>>
I KNOW that there is that material out there . . . although mostly used for . . . uh . . . other purposes.
<<<<
Would make a hell of a <thinks of a term that doesn't prematurely kill the punch line>, eh?
From a purely technical POV (me being an engineer, bear with me) - there's more to a thumb than just the texture, form, temperature, whatever. Our thumb would be smart enough to tighten a bit, loosen a bit, just enough to make it sound good. A thumb is dynamic, can cope with requirements. I fear no ligature of this world can.
Maybe we should grow a 2nd thumb, a sixth finger (and three add'l pinkies while we're at it)...
--
Ben
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-09-22 01:25
Or go to the morgue and find a spare thumb and sew it to your chin. I think that is what Marcellus more or less suggested in a master class once upon a time (ok, I added the chin part).
Check out the newer string ligs from Vandie and others. They are very compliant in that respect and get a good result with the right setup.
Or perhaps this is Ricardo Morales' new venture with Morrie B. A trained Backun ligature thumbtitian will sit next to you and hold the reed in place while you play.
;-)
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Author: Dori
Date: 2005-09-22 02:33
There are many passages that would be much easier if only we had an additional pinky finger. I've tried to borrow one but the brass players won't give them up - and they don't even use them!
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-09-22 11:41
I have supposed that the claim about the thumb is simply a way to express the general feeling that no ligaturre is perfect
Bob Draznik
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Author: GoatTnder
Date: 2005-09-22 19:57
sfalexi... I've had the idea for a while of taking a vandoren optimum lig, and glueing on a piece of foam rubber to one of the plates. You'd have to loosen it quite a bit at first (since the plate would be considerably thicker), but I think it would replicate the thumb thing kinda well. The metal is like a skeleton, the foam rubber like skin/flesh. Alas, I don't own an optimum, so I haven't tried yet. If anyone does and wants to try... (you probably don't even have to use glue unless you like it and want to make it permanant).
It's a similar idea to a Eddie Daniels Rovner. They try to get the best of both worlds (fabric and metal). Only this is opposite.
Andres Cabrera
South Bay Wind Ensemble
sbwe@sbmusic.org
Post Edited (2005-09-22 19:59)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-09-22 21:05
Andy,
I have a Francous Louis ligature (with a plate), and have been toying with the idea of cutting a small piece of an extra thic Charles Bay mouthpiece patch to throw on there. Just need to stop being lazy and go get a mouthpiece patch.
One of these days I'll let you now how it came out.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Michelle
Date: 2005-09-22 21:11
Next thing ya know we'll be seeing an eBay auction for a thumb with a link to this thread for added legitimacy...
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Author: jez
Date: 2005-09-23 12:33
The ff ligature mentioned recently by GBK is supposed to imitate the feel of a thumb holding on the reed (presumably best with the rubber insert)
It sounds good and looks terrific, but is a bit impractical if you need to change quickly.
jez
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