 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2008-11-16 07:12
Anyone come up with a string lig Like v/d Klassic for bass clar?
BobT
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Author: Eva F.
Date: 2008-11-16 21:47
go to the bass clarinet forum! click on Available Forums, then click on Bass
Clarinet. they probably know more about it than any of us!
-Eva
8th Grade Band Nerd!!!
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Author: mrn
Date: 2008-11-16 21:59
Eva F. wrote:
> go to the bass clarinet forum! click on Available Forums, then
> click on Bass
>
> Clarinet. they probably know more about it than any of us!
I wouldn't say that--a lot of people in this forum play bass. Particularly, in an orchestra, the bass clarinet is commonly played by a soprano clarinet player ("soprano" is what you and I typically play), who doubles on bass clarinet. In other words, the bass clarinet is played by a member of the clarinet section--it is not part of its own section as you're probably used to seeing in the school band.
To give you one good example, Ed Palanker, who reads this forum, plays bass clarinet with the Baltimore Symphony.
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Author: clariknight
Date: 2008-11-17 01:42
Never heard of one. But I do love ever so much my Vandoren Klassik lig for soprano. Excellent response and clarity. I'm sure if you can find one for bass it would be well worth a look at.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2008-11-17 03:07
Lately I've been using a Bois ligature on bass clarinet (and soprano) -- it's a plastic ring with an embedded thin O-ring that you just push over the reed about midway down the bark area. Subjectively it seems to allow a bit more resonance than most standard ligatures, and it's a heck of a lot less work to use than string -- you might consider trying one.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-11-17 03:19
bob, try a shoelace
wrap it like a german system player would
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-11-17 04:49
Here is a recipe from SOTW: Put plastic wrap around the mouthpiece, put a reed in place, and tightly wrap a (preferably synthetic) shoe lace or other string to make a ligature. Smear epoxy on the the string (you can leave the part that is touching the reed "free" (i.e. don't put epoxy there) and let completely dry (the plastic wrap is just so the glue doesn't touch the mouthpiece). Cut the excess string if you want. You have a string ligature that you can just slide over the mouthpiece instead of bothering with wrapping the string every time. I made one but I put epoxy all around the ligature which I think is not as good since it's more difficult to slide it on.
Post Edited (2008-11-19 08:05)
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2008-11-18 13:51
I am a big fan of the Vandoren Klassik on clarinet and saxophone. I'd love to have a Klassik for bass clarinet. Every few months I write again to Vandoren to see if they have plans to produce a bass clarinet Klassik. Sadly, the answer is always no.
In the recent past I tried a Pyne string ligature on bass clarinet and didn't like it. In my experience, it did not provide enough sealing pressure for my reeds.
I had been using a Vandoren Masters ligature on bass clarinet for the past several years. It was okay. However, I didn't find it to be in the same league as the Klassik -- comparing the Masters and Klassik on clarinet and saxophone.
Just recently Walter Grabner suggested that I try a Vandoren Optimum on bass clarinet. I use Walter's LB bass clarinet mouthpiece and I trust his suggestions. So, I took a chance and ordered an Optimum. When it arrived I focused on trying Plates #1 (Bonade style) and #3 (4 raised dots). I discovered that I get the best results with Plate #1. Staccato articulation is noticabily crisper (throughout the BC's range) than with the Masters and there a greater level of tonal resonance. Bottom line is I'm quite happy with the Optimum with Plate #1 on bass clarinet.
If Vandoren ever decides to make a bass clarinet Klassik I'll be first in line to get one. However, until then, the Optimum is the best thing I've found for a bass clarinet ligature....at least for my particular set up.
Roger
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2008-11-18 16:42
Roger,
I came up with same mouthpiece and Van Doren Optimum ligature with plate #1. Very pleasing sound, easy to articulate, etc. It is a joy to play bass with this setup. After buying that Van Doren Optimum I went to them on all my clarinets and I like it on all, except contra alto where I can't find a VanDoren Optimum. Do they exist?
Eefer guy
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Author: bahamutofskycon
Date: 2008-11-18 17:06
I play on a Grabner LB as well (love it). I use both the VanDoren Optimum and the Bois ligature. Lately I've been liking the Bois more for the same reasons that David Speigelthal lists.
Steve
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2008-11-18 17:47
One of the restrictions I've had to work with -- for those of us who use Legere reeds -- is Legere does not work with some ligatures. These particular ligatures can work perfectly fine with cane reeds. But, the results are terrible with a Legere.
It's been my experience that there needs to be a large area of sealing pressure against the reed stock in order for a Legere to seal correctly along the tip rails as well as the table. With that in mind, I'd be nervous about a Bois ligature working with Legere reeds. But, a Bois might work fine with cane.
When I switched from a Masters to an Optimum on bass clarinet I was amazed at how much less I had to WORK in playing the bass. That was something I had not anticipated. My gut instinct is the Opimum provides a better amount of sealing for Legere reeds along the tip rails than the Masters.
Roger
Post Edited (2008-11-18 17:48)
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-11-18 22:49
I haven't ever seen one. I suggest you try one of the Rovners, I've been using one for years and love it. He has several models, try them all and pick what works best for you if you like one. Most mail order places will let you try them the same way they allow you to try mouthpieces. ESP
www.peabody.jhu.edu./457 Listen to a little Mozart, live performance.
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2008-11-19 06:01
Well, thank you everyone for your suggestions.
As a dentist I'm interested in innovative things, so the challenge of making a string lig for bass beckons. Added bonus will be the intoxicating fumes from the epoxy ! So now I'm on the lookout for thin black string laces with silver ends.... or even black leather laces... hmm.....
I'm doing a big film music night with my S.O. in Feb with bass featuring largely, so would be a great outing for a new home-spun lig.
Clarnibass - it would make sense if a reed was placed on the mouthpiece below the wrap.... and to keep the reed area free of epoxy, apply a little separator .....yes? I will try techniques out on "spare" m/p as Walter Grabner would be horrified if anything nasty got onto his LB m/p.
I'll report my findings to the Board.
I too love my Vandoren Klassic on sop.
BobT
BobT
Post Edited (2008-11-19 06:02)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-11-19 07:57
BobT, sorry, I just forgot to write that part in my explaination. Yes, you need to put a reed on the mouthpiece and wrap the string around that (I will edit my post to include that). I guess you can put a seperator, but you can also just notice not to put epoxy where you don't want to. The epoxy (at least the two types I tried) is thick enough not to run to where you don't put it. I don't think putting epoxy on the reed area of the string makes any difference to playing, since the epoxy will not penetrate, and it's only the string itself that will be touching the reed and mouthpiece when the ligature is ready. But I think leaving that area without epoxy is better since it might make it easier to slide the ligature over the mouthpiece.
By the way, if you are tempted to touch the ligature before the epoxy completely dries, you will have your finger print there forever, mine has one 
By the way, opposite of another poster, I used to play with the Optimum ligature on bass clarinet, and changed to a Vandoren Masters because I preferred it (with both cane or Legere reeds). Though I'm not trying to give the impression that one of those is better than the other, many great players use the Optimum.
By the way, since you are a dentist, do you mind if I ask you something privately (not really about any dental thing but it's related). You don't have your email in your profile, so can you please email me to clarnibass@yahoo.com
Thanks.
Post Edited (2008-11-19 12:36)
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