 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jenn
Date: 2000-11-11 21:57
I've played clarinet for six years and am finally tired of the cheap 2-screw metal ligature that came with it and am planning to buy a black wrap-around screw-in-front model. I have seen a few of them that other clarinetists have, and am wondering, about how much money should I spend on this? I'm a high school student (translation: not much money) and not incredibly picky as to the brand, but I just want something flexible that will hold the reed snugly without putting too much pressure on it, etc. What would you recommend as a good and economical buy, and how much do they cost?
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-11-11 22:14
I recently purchased a couple of ligatures to experiment with. This is my first venture away from the "stock" 2-screw metal ligature.
I really like the Luyben plastic, and it's under $10. It comes in colors. It is the "inverted" type with the screws on the opposite side from the stock type. I like it enough to buy at least one more for a spare.
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Author: Kontragirl
Date: 2000-11-11 23:38
I know exactly where you're coming from. I had this big problem with dropping my ligature and by the time I found out where it rolled, it was under someone's foot. I would always be able to fix it, but I never sounded as good. So I went to the music store and said, what's a good, inexpensive, durable ligature. They showed me the Robert Vinson, and let me play on it. It was about $15. That sounds like a lot of money, but I think it's money well spent.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-11-11 23:43
I like the Rovner, it has lots of flexibility for mounting choices (high fiddle-factor).
It should last forever, unlike the plastic ones.
It does cost more, but you may never need to replace it.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-11-11 23:55
Author: Anji wrote:
I like the Rovner, it has lots of flexibility for mounting choices (high fiddle-factor).
It should last forever, unlike the plastic ones.
It does cost more, but you may never need to replace it.
-----------------------------
I mentioned earlier, when I suggested the Luyben, that I purchased a couple to experiment with. I also got a Rovner, and it's nice too. It also comes with a cap, that I haven't figured out how to use yet. Adds to the fiddle-factor. It cost me $15.95 plus shipping, but I ordered other items with it to get the most for the shipping cost.
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Author: Benny
Date: 2000-11-12 01:34
I use a Rovner Light L5 and a Rovner Dark R1. I like each of them, and they are relatively inexpensive. (I bought them from ww&bw) I use the L5 for jazz and solo/small ensemble playing and the R1 for playing in the band/orchestra and for some solos. I hope you find a ligature that works for you!
Benny
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Author: Jodi
Date: 2000-11-12 04:03
I have a BG revalation which I LOVE. It cost about $25.
jodi
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2000-11-12 09:30
Even the fancy ones must only cost a dollar or two to make! You just have to let go your scruples and be bled!!
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2000-11-12 14:54
I like the idea that some one posted of using (val-crow) tape and just make your own.
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2000-11-12 21:31
I like to try string. Does anyone know where good instructions for learning the trick, and getting proper cord can be found?
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Author: Chloe
Date: 2000-11-12 22:27
I think my clarinet is new at least the people said it was and it works, but the ligature is REALLY cheap. I want one of those, too. My friend has one and the and her clarinet sounds better.
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Author: Gavin
Date: 2000-11-13 07:05
Ken Rasmussen asked:
>I like to try string. Does anyone know where good instructions for learning the trick, and getting proper cord can be found?
There is a discussion of the use of string ligatures in a book by David Pino. There is also a fair bit of discussion here on the BB including the following detailed instructions which were posted by "Arnold the basset hornist". Not knowing how to do one of those links, I've copied and pasted the post here again as it seems to have all the answers. Cheers, Gavin.
Arnold the basset hornist ()
Date: 12-17-99 03:41
The best idea would be, to come to germany and visit me - with a digital camera - and we can ask Mark for uploading some pictures of my wrapping. :-)
"Long ago" (before this BB look started, where you can search your old posts) I posted the following HOWTO:
Well, now it's my turn to tell you, how a cord is used to fix your reed on your mouthpiece. Fist, you need a cord or shoestring (diameter approx 2 mm
resp. 1/10 or 1/16 inch or so) with a length of approx. 1.6 meter (resp. 5 ft.). I prefer a cord with both synthetic and cotton fibres. Lay it from the cork
end at the back side of your mouthpiece to the front and hold it with your fingers, the index finger at the position you're going to start to wrap in around.
Hold the reed with your thumb at the desired position. Begin warping and lay the new loops just next to the last loop going to the cork end loop by
loop. After you've done a few loops check the position of the reed again. The force you're winding the loops is up to you (if you finally have two short
cords, it was too much), but increase it rapidly from the first loop to reach the maximum at the third loop or so and then decrease it slowly to the end.
Just cross the free end under the last loop to fix its position.
It's helpfull if ther's a shoulder or a notch at your mouthpiece, but it will also work without (I tried it, when I overturned the screw of an alto sax metal
ligature). If you're going to file a notch with a tiny round file in your mouthpiece be carfully not to demage the table - you may pevent it by binding an
piece of wood on it and you'll only need to file the notch over 180 or 270 degrees or so, near the table allways file in the direction from the table to the
back of the mouthpiece.
Save this information together with a cord in your clarinet case, maybee once during a perform your ligature is broken :-)
P.S. I use a 'sateen twine' (german: Atlaskordel) 2 mm diameter, 60 % cotton (60 % Baumwolle), 40 % Viscose - bought at the haberdashary (resp. notions) departmet
- a knot at each end to prevent of splitting.
Make a 'plateau', 'front peek' or 'twin peaks' tying, but avoid to make the first loops to week!
Arnold (the basset hornist)
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Author: Jenn
Date: 2000-11-13 21:12
Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I don't think I will try a cord or string idea, because I think that would make it harder for me to take my reed out, soak it, adjust it, etc. quickly enough. But thanks anyway. I'll see if I can order one of the ligatures soon, thanks again! 
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Author: Jenn
Date: 2000-11-13 22:38
OK: I was on the WWandBW website, and they have a multitude of ligatures there. Unfortunately, they don't have any pictures! They have one on there called "Luyben Black Bb Clarinet Lig" for $5.55, and I was wondering if anyone else has this. I have heard Luybens are good ligatures, but I'm wondering if the kind that they have listed is what I'm looking for because it's so cheap (they also had a Luyben Clear lig for the same price, and no other Luybens). What do you think?
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-11-13 22:48
Jenn: I have one, and I think it is a great buy fo $5.55. I plan to pick up a few more at the wwandbw store tomorrow. You can see them on the Luyben web page, but I think they look a little better in "person".
http://www.luybenmusic.com/ligature.htm
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-11-14 02:18
Jenn wrote:
>
> OK: I was on the WWandBW website, and they have a
> multitude of ligatures there. Unfortunately, they don't have
> any pictures! They have one on there called "Luyben Black Bb
> Clarinet Lig" for $5.55, and I was wondering if anyone else has
> this. I have heard Luybens are good ligatures, but I'm
> wondering if the kind that they have listed is what I'm looking
> for because it's so cheap (they also had a Luyben Clear lig for
> the same price, and no other Luybens). What do you think?
This is the same Luyben that everyone has mentioned as they only make the one and it is only available in black and clear. It is my ligature of choice on my 5RV mouthpiece as I found that, the Rovner that I was using on my B45 just did not suit me when I tried it on the 5RV.
This is a product that is better than the price would lead you to believe.
One cautionary note. Do *NOT* overtighten the screws. Since it is plastic, you could strip the threads on the ligature and then have to go get a new one.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-11-14 13:24
I read Ken Stein's book at the onset of my playing and tried the string method. I liked the sound but it was tedious, and hard to reproduce (I suppose practice improves this). I suppose the notion is minimum damping of the reed, without it shifting under pressure.
*STRING ALTERNATIVE*
I experimented briefly with O-rings made of Viton, which I believe to be synthetic rubber. These are REALLY cheap through plumbing supply houses, and last awhile. The down side is they are extensible under higher temperatures.
I use the Rovner because it was relatively inexpensive, my teacher uses one, and it has a high "Gee WHIZ" = fiddle factor.
A few uses will help you determine the conformation preferred, and further adjustment shouldn't be needed.
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Author: Jenn
Date: 2000-11-14 22:40
Thanks again everyone! I wish I could get more than one! (Although I feel kind of foolish getting so excited about a ligature, lol!) I think I'll probably get the Rovner Dark from WWandBW because the design is what I was originally thinking of and you've all given me very positive comments on it as well as other ligs. Thanks again for all your help! ;-)
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