 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Neil
Date: 2005-03-04 18:39
Attachment: Lig1.jpg (578k)
I've been using a shoelace ligature for about 3 years now. The biggest problem with them is the length of time it takes to put one on. It's sometimes a challenge to change reeds between pieces, let alone during rests. A few months ago I made the ligature pictured here. It is still a 27" flat shoelace but is now tied in a turk's head, which slips on and off easily and does a great job of holding the reed in place. To use Clifford Ashley's terminology from the Ashley Book of Knots, it has seven leads and six bights, meaning that the strand passes around the knot seven times and there are six turns at each end (top and bottom). The easist way to tie one is to use a long piece of string and tie it around a larger cylinder, taping or pinning the end turns in place; then work the shoelace in and the string out while working the knot smaller. The ends of the lace will overlap an inch or two; they can be sewed or superglued together or just reef-knotted under a pass (cut off the aglets).
Post Edited (2005-03-05 00:34)
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Author: Neil
Date: 2005-03-04 18:51
Attachment: Lig1.jpg (36k)
I don't know about you but I couldn't get the picture to open. Maybe this one will work better.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-03-04 19:02
Both pics worked for me. Looks VERY nice. I was thinking about trying out a string lig (I've avoided it LONG enough, not to mention I seem to have this innate desire to try out any and all equipment that I can get my hands on . . . curiousity ALWAYS gets the best of me!)
Do you know of any websites or have a clearer explanation (more of a layman's terms) of how to form this? Or can you let me know what books or anything you got this idea from? I'd like to give it a shot, and amazingly enough, I think I can afford a shoelace with this week's paycheck ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) .
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Neil
Date: 2005-03-04 19:34
The Ashley Book of Knots is still in print but it ain't cheap. If you live in a big city the library might carry it. It's knot #1329A if you get ahold of a copy.
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Author: Tom Piercy
Date: 2005-03-04 21:01
RE: Pyne woven ligature. I have one; it does stretch out of shape. It was never really "tight" enough to begin with, and there is no way to make adjustments when needed.
I find using string to be much better.
Tom Piercy
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-03-04 21:44
Kudos to you Neil on your innovativeness and nice photo. The lace appears to be polyester or such.....does it loosen-up on that crystal? mp? Now...can you do a monkey's fist?
Bob Draznik
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Author: CPW
Date: 2005-03-04 21:48
I gave up on string ligatures until I discovered the virtues of Crazy Glue.
Now I just place a dab on the heel of the reed, hold it on the table of the mouthpiece, and voila....don't need no ligature.
Just one minor detail is what to do when the reed wears out.![[frown]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie2.gif)
Against the windmills of my mind
The jousting pole splinters
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2005-03-04 22:52
Reminds me of the old straw "chinese finger puzzle" . Has anyone tried one of those as a ligature?
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Author: Bnatural
Date: 2005-03-04 23:00
Alexi... I believe that string ligatures are explained in the Pino book but I've yet again misplaced my copy... I do remember liking that explaination though
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-03-04 23:10
Quote:
Reminds me of the old straw "chinese finger puzzle" . Has anyone tried one of those as a ligature? Yeah. It's easy to put on over the reed and mouthpiece, but as for taking it back off . . . .
Bnatural,
I have the pino book and yes, he fully advocates and describes how to make a string ligature, however not the "weave" style, just a "wrap". For the cost of shoelaces (and especially considering that you USUALLY get two at a time in most packages), I figure it wouldn't hurt to see if I can make a weave style and maybe do some comparing/contrasting of my own on that versus the wrap.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Contra
Date: 2005-03-05 04:03
I went to a Footlocker, I think, and bought a bright red pair of shoelaces.
Best ligature I've ever had.
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Author: Neil
Date: 2005-03-05 04:20
BobD
Yes, the mouthpiece is crystal but I don't know what material the lace is made from, very likely acrylic. I don't have a problem with it coming loose but it's no problem to snug it up if necessary. And yes, I can tie a monkey's fist just fine but when I tried to use one for a ligature I kept having the urge to go up on the roof and throw my mouthpiece.
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Author: kthln.hnsn
Date: 2013-06-22 17:16
Just found this old thread and thought I'd bump it because I made the Turks Head Knot ligature a while back and I love it! It looks really pretty too Here is the link i used: http://www.animatedknots.com/turkshead/ I made it out of some spare black para cord I had on hand and burned the ends together when finished.
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2013-06-22 19:19
Not exactly string, but a Velcro lig is great, especially for plastic reeds; it will hold them in place and is easy to make adjustments of reed position without removing the lig. Finally, they are easily made and cost is very low. (Make your own, but I posted how I do it some years ago)
richard smith
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-06-23 00:27
I've posted about another woven string ligature in another context, however, since this thread mentions the Pyne I just thought I'd throw it in here.
The Vientos Bambu string ligature is adjustable at the bottom (whole side is basically set up like a laced shoe). It is much thicker than the Vandoren and it is quite easy to adjust it to the whatever tightness you prefer; also looks like it will last a good long time. I've been using it for a month or so now. It is a very well made product.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: flyboy
Date: 2022-04-09 01:49
This description for making one looks easier. https://whatknotnow.blogspot.com/2012/10/11x4x3-tutorial-part-3.html
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2022-04-09 05:31
When I was studying with Russianoff ('70s) he had me experiment with a string ligature that was waxed together. It was OK. But also a bit of a pain getting it on & off the mouthpiece. I've never thought ligatures made really a noticeable difference, at least in my playing.
The Most Advanced Clarinet Book--
tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.
Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475
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