 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jacobhardy25
Date: 2013-11-06 07:05
Hi all. I have seen a lot of talk about string ligatures compared to leather and metal ligatures but haven't really seen a lot of information on it. i guess my question is what exactly do string ligatures do that leather or metal ligatures don't do as well?
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Author: Jbosacki
Date: 2013-11-06 07:36
I would say the String ligatures have a lot more freedom, they put less pressure on the reed allowing the reed to vibrate more freely. Also a lot of them are really just string wrapped around the Mouthpiece itself, so putting it on could be a lengthy process. It might get frustrating after a while if you need to change reeds frequently.
I knew a saxophonist in college who used pipe cleaners when she played Jazz. She was extremely talented and when you asked her she always just stated they worked extremely well for her style of playing, and she never found anything that gives her the sound and the freedom just wrapping them around it did.
The Leather ligatures dampen the sound a lot, It's a bit too much for me but you can see they're a very popular choice.
I have the Vandoren Optimum. I think it's a great balance between a bunch of different aspects, the removable plates are convenient for changes in Clarinet Playing medium. I know it's a bit pricey but I think a pretty good investment overall and it works extremely well for my needs.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-11-06 10:31
I would say that string does "loose" differently.
"Loose" allows the reed to vibrate (more resonate really) more freely. Just take whatever ligature you have, and just barely put it on (place it, but only adjust whatever tightens it until it barely hints at grabbing). Yes, the reed will be really loose on the mouthpiece (so much so, if you brush against it oddly with your tongue, it may go flying off to the side). This will give you an idea how things sound with string (though string does add a bit of its own damping affect).
I would also clarify that there are only a few real LEATHER ligatures out there. The difference in material makes a BIG difference. The only one that I know of that is a thin, basic pouch of leather is the kangaroo leather ligature from Mike Lomax. Even clamped down, this ligature allows for a full, rich sound. Although the point may be moot since this ligature is as expensive as the others with metal inserts.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: BobD
Date: 2013-11-06 12:30
The string ligature will impress your fellow players, make them believe that's why you play better than they do and they will end up buying one thus helping the Economy.
Bob Draznik
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-11-06 13:11
As is often the case, you can probably answer your own question relatively simply by comparing whatever metal or cloth ligatures you have on hand to your own results with string.
Although there are music outlets that sell ligature string (at a much lower price than any cloth or metal ligature you'll ever buy), you really don't need to spend a penny on the experiment if you have a spare shoelace lying around (you don't "buy" a true string ligature, you wrap it from scratch each time). There are a couple of other recent threads about string in which players have told of using string sold in fabric stores and craft outlets. I've tried different types of string and don't think that for comparison to other ligature types, the actual string you use matters much.
My standard for any ligature, which is entirely personal, is that the best one comes closest to the way a reed feels when I'm holding it to the mouthpiece with my thumb (almost every reed feels good). Every ligature I've ever tried falls short to one extent or another. Unfortunately, I have only two hands and need both to play. String comes as close as anything else and has an added small benefit of flexibility in its placement. I can vary more parameters - how tightly I wind it, how high on the bark, how much of the bark I cover, and how evenly I distribute the pressure (by varying the tightness as I wind down the bark).
My biggest problem with string (and why I don't use it regularly in orchestral playing) is that for me it seems less secure when I need to change between Bb and A or C quickly. It's more likely to allow the reed to shift, and even the slightly higher probability of having this happen over a cloth or metal ligature with screws makes me shy away from string. I find the closest approximation in a screw ligature is a Rovner *light* model left as loose as possible while still holding the reed still during instrument changes.
Karl
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2013-11-06 14:13
Also, try Velcro. Make your own for about 25 cents. (see my early comment on them).
richard smith
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Author: BobD
Date: 2013-11-06 15:46
There's nothing wrong with string or velcro except, compared to a screw type, they are fussy to adjust and I never feel as secure. I also feel that non-metal ones tend to "mute" the reed a bit.
Bob Draznik
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Author: gkern
Date: 2013-11-06 16:27
Try a Bois ligature - the closest thing to string. And reasonable too. And quick to change.
Gary K
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-11-06 19:01
Hey, for those of you using string with issues of "securely fastening to the mouthpiece," you may try running the string a few times through a cake of 100% beeswax. This makes it just tacky enough to grip a mouthpiece without a schnurround.
................Paul Aviles
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