 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: JazzyAndrew
Date: 2012-12-06 17:24
Yesterday I bought myself a Vandoren leather ligature.
I have played for 4 1/2 hours since then and have a few questions.
First some information.
I have only been playing for about 5 weeks.
I have a cheap plastic clarinet, but bought a Rico mouthpiece kit about 3 weeks ago.
I am using Rico Mitchell Laurie 2.5 reeds.
I am using the metal plate on the Vandoren ligature.
1) It takes me a bit of time to get the metal plate exactly even on the reed. How important is it to get this evenly placed?
2) How tight should I make the ligature?
3) When I store the ligature the metal plate sits on the face (is that the right word for the flat surface of the mouthpiece that the reed sits on?) and I worry about it scratching it. Should I store it upside down so the metal plate sits on the opposite side of the mouthpiece?
mtia
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Author: bmcgar ★2017
Date: 2012-12-06 21:15
1. Moderately important as you advance. WITHIN REASON, not very important at your stage of study.
2. "Moderately" tight. Tight enough to hold the reed firmly on the mouthpiece, but not so tight that you're cranking down hard on the screw.
3. If you're not screwing the lig. down on the mouthpiece without the reed, just slipping it on, the plate should not contact the facing (that flat surface) at all. If it still does for some reason, yes, you might scratch it, so store it separately.
B.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2012-12-06 22:31
I always put an old reed blank on my leather ligature (and all previous ones as well) when storing it in the case as this helps preserve the shape of the ligature. In my case it also helps protect the tip of my crystal mouthpiece.
It also makes the fit of the mouthpiece cap better than trying to put it on a loose ligature.
Any old reed will suffice but best to clip the tip square so you don't confuse it with your playing reeds
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Author: JazzyAndrew
Date: 2012-12-07 12:07
Thanks for the information so far, I am using Norman's blank reed method.
I have one further question - how far down should the ligature go? When I was using the Rico ligature on the mouthpiece it came with this was easier to judge.
a
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-12-07 17:46
As far as placing the ligature on a naked mouthpiece goes I have not had any difficulties with the Vandoren Leather (as opposed to some 'soft ligatures' with metal inserts that are thin with sharp edges such as the Rovner Eddie Daniels or whatever they call it now).
When you first place it on the mouthpiece with reed, just tighten ever so lightly and PLAY.
Then screw it down tight and PLAY.
You WILL feel/hear a difference. Just chose the method that appeals to your sensibilities.
Finally, as I play with my Vandoren Leather, I seem to have the best results with the bottom of the ligature nearly to the bottom of the butt of the reed (that is....LOW). For some reason when I position this ligature higher on the reed, it starts to choke off the sound.
...............Paul Aviles
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