 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: xpedx7342
Date: 2009-11-16 02:06
I have used the Optimum, and the Rovner Dark and hte Vandoren Klassik.
I am interested in hearing what you all have to say about the differences between metal, leather, and string ligatures. I am interested in trying different ligs, but I don't have the money to try them and return them.
From my opinion:
Metal-vibrant tone but gives me personally a pinchy and slightly edgey tone
leather-warm but muffled
-string-focused tone and clariity but like leather, slightly muffled
What do you all think? Give examples of certain ligatures also please!
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Author: grifffinity
Date: 2009-11-16 03:43
I personally don't like Leather Ligatures. The last one I owned was a BG that had two parallel metal bars to hold the reed and I haven't used it in 14 years. Perhaps some of the technology has changed, but some reasons why I don't like leather:
It sounds darker to the player, but I believe overtones are muffled. I personally feel that I don't project as well on a Fabric Ligature and articulation is not as crisp.
A metal ligature can also muffle the sound though - in the case of my Bonade ligs, if the metal bands touch the sides of the reed, vibrations are dampened.
I do like the plastic Luyben and have one as a back up. I also recommend them to my students - they are cheap and the reed responds similar to using a well-adjusted Inverted Bonade. The metal in the Bonades are so soft, and IMO, not the same quality as in years past, so I prefer my younger kids use the Luyben.
I've never tried string.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2009-11-17 10:22
xped/griffin: My experience is the same as yours but I have tried string with acceptable results. At present I favor the vd Optimum as an acceptable compromise...I'd try a single screw Luyben if it was available.
Bob Draznik
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2009-11-17 11:50
Obviously, much depends on what you want your clarinet to sound like. My experience with the ligatures you mention is probably similar to yours, but I'd use different descriptors, especially regarding the metal Bonade (I use inverted ones with the middle cut out in front).
I've used Rovner dark and also Rovner Evo-5 and found them responsive but, as you did, a little muffled or dull sounding (the "dark" version more dull than the EVO-5). I've used a Gigliotti (plastic) and found the sound and response to be nearly identical to both the EVO-5 and string (which I've tried briefly once or twice). We may hear the same thing when we use Bonade ligatures, but I would describe the sound as more highly colored and vibrant than the leather or plastic ones or string. I do use the inverted version, and I do cut out the center of the side opposite the screws (the part that sits on the reed) so I have less ligature - only the rails of two thin bands - in contact with the reed. What I hear when I compare the altered Bonade I use to a new, unaltered one is a little more body (core?).
They're all effective ligatures and, in combination with reed selection and "voicing" techniques used by the player, it's possible to get excellent results from any of the ligatures we're talking about.
The Bonades do have one disadvantage, which prompts me to make a further alteration. They tend, at least the inverted ones do, to scratch the back of my mouthpieces (the side with the screws) in a way that leather or plastic don't. I cement a strip of cork along either edge of the opening so the metal doesn't actually contact the mouthpiece directly. It may be that the Bonades I'm using are altered enough to constitute another ligature entirely.
Karl
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Author: A Brady
Date: 2009-11-17 18:46
I'm currently playing on The Vandoren Klassik with very good results, but I have a drawer full of ligatures that I will alternate on occasion. I agree that reed selection/adjustment and voicing are enormous components of response, and that what we perceive from behind the instrument is not always what is projecting out front.
I've worked with many great players using different materials in their ligatures, all of whom managed to produce a beautiful sound. As a much-respected colleague said to me the other day on a job, the ligature must securely hold the seal between the table (flat side) of the reed and the table of the mouthpiece, this is the single most important factor, and the effect that the material has on the sound will be noticeable only if this seal is solid.
There are many fine ligatures currently available. Make sure that your reed tables are flat and unwarped, and try as many ligatures as you can, and record yourself and get input from colleagues for an overall assessment.
AB
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-11-18 00:45
Most players will experience different results with different ligatures because of many different reasons. The mouthpiece, the reed, the thickness of their lips and a host of other variables. My the way, some mail order stores will allow you to try several different ligatures on a trial basis like they do mouthpieces and barrels. At least here in the USA. Give some a call.
I've recently posted an article on my clarinet page in my website titled Ligs and MPs, check it out. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-11-21 19:20
I use two or three ligatures. I change ligatures depending on the reed. I have one that seem to lesson the response and articulation . I use that one with reed that are a shade too light and seem to be bright to my ears. I use another ligature if a reed seems dead, and it seems to really brighten the sound and make articulation easier.
I change ligatures depending on the reed.
Alexi
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Author: scot455
Date: 2009-11-21 20:47
I am a mature learner on clarinet and have tried metal, leather and string ligatures. I also have a lot of experience tying knots in various materials.
Yesterday, I got a new Vandoren 5RV mouthpiece.
I have been using a standard metal ligature and a BG Revelation leather
with an assortment of reeds.
I watched Mr.Cicola's Youtube video on tying a ligature and picked up a length
(120 cm) 46 inches of 2mm dia black leather and whipped a reed using that on my mouthpiece. There was an immediate improvement in my playing in that the reed was more responsive in the clarion and altissimo registers.
Tanned and treated leather has an inherent stretch and keeps firm better than string IMO
Has anyone tried this before and have you any comments to make?
I have also whipped a reed to an old Riffault mouthpiece and tried it on my clarinet with similar results -- an improvement in responsiveness
Good Luck and Be Safe !!!!!
Ivan
Post Edited (2009-11-21 21:29)
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Author: TM
Date: 2009-12-07 16:55
I tried with my Dr martins shoelace, better than my bonade (regular and inverted) and BG (standard and metal), more resonance and still easy response.
I don't think it's leather and too long. But the Vandoren ligatures are too expensive for low budget guy. I will try the Rovner later.
TM
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2009-12-07 19:01
In general the descriptions of ligature responses are on the money.
I have had VERY good results (and much less "muddy" sound) from the Rovner Light. This ligature is under $20 and is quite versitile as well as easy to use.
If you want to "experiment" with different sounds, the (expensive, but also VERY good) Vandoren Leather comes with three "plates." Two are of different types of leather (one softer than the other for more "softening" of the sound) and one metal plate that mimics the Bonade. I personally prefer the metal plate and find it the loudest and most lively, but the optional leather plates gives you more to play with.
If you do have the budget and curiosity for the Vandoren, get the leather mouthpiece cap as well..............REALLY worth it.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2009-12-11 01:07
Griffinity, I agree with you on all counts. I played on a Luyben throughout college and up until a couple of years ago. I let the fact that no one else in this area was playing one push me into trying different ligatures.
The problem with the BG was that I got good results at first, but the metal had bent to the point that only one rail was touching the reed and my trying to bend it back isn't putting it back like it was.
I have a VD Optimum on order while I am using an inverted Bonade with cork added to the side with the screws. I tried a VD Klassik (the black string one) and wasn't that impressed.
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2009-12-11 10:58
I like the Rovners both light and dark. They're a kind of rubberised fabric.
The effect is subtle, but I find metal ligatures harsh by comparison.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2009-12-11 11:21
What change in sound resulted when the BG became bent?
Karl
Claire Annette wrote:
> The problem with the BG was that I got good results at first,
> but the metal had bent to the point that only one rail was
> touching the reed and my trying to bend it back isn't putting
> it back like it was.
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