 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: muppie
Date: 2014-03-16 15:08
I use the optimum ligature and whenever I tried to twist my mouthpiece in order to pull it out... I'd have to be super careful, grip the mouthpiece+lig+reed set up very firmly so that the ligature won't slip. If the ligature slipped, then I would have to undo the ligature, take out the reed... then detach the mouthpiece in order to put it on another clarinet... then reset the reed again... yadda yadda.
I'm wondering if other people are having a similar issue?
I read a suggestion about electrical tape around the MP... but that would make the MP sticky and ugly.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2014-03-16 19:37
My own experience is that trying to remove the mp with the reed and lig attached is not a good idea for a couple of reasons. I think most metal ligatures have a tendency to slip if you do as you are. The tape suggestion was because the lig. was slipping simply when holding the reed for playing and reportedly it worked.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2014-03-16 20:34
Also, you want to re-think how tightly you tighten the ligature on the reed. In my own case, I tighten the ligature just enough to hold the reed in place, never tighter. I get more volume, a more complex tone, and a better "buzz" in the reed.
Sure, it would come off if I tried to remove reed, ligature and mpc together, but that's a small price to pay for the advantages of not using the ligature to strangle the life out of the reed, and since I am not under the obligations of an orchestral performer who must switch instruments, etc., it doesn't matter.
bruno>
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-03-16 17:09
Well, the beauty of the Optimum is how fast it tightens and loosens. I'd leave it loose to play and do a quick tighten to remove it (I am doing this right now). Of course if the mouthpiece is particularly narrow (the body that is) then it may not allow the limited range of the Optimum to tighten enough to do a quick mouthpiece swap (as in moving to "A" clarinet).
For ligatures that are naturally too loose to use as a grip, I've emphasized putting more grip on the 'beak' area of the mouthpiece (such as when using a slip on string ligature or my Spriggs ligature). This is a bit tricky because you may place unwanted pressure on the reed (you have to straddle the reed with the juncture between thumb and first finger to do this right).
And remember, the Optimum WILL NOT WORK on the Masters Series.
...........Paul Aviles
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Author: muppie
Date: 2014-03-16 21:18
"I'd leave it loose to play and do a quick tighten to remove it (I am doing this right now)."
I had to read that several times to understand what you meant! Ahhh this is a brilliant idea! I must try that.
You're right about how fast it tightens / loosens. The double screw mechanism is brilliant. Are there any fabric / leather / non metal ligature that has a similar mechanism other than the Vandoren Leather ligature?
I'm on a ligature obsession at the moment.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2014-03-16 17:46
Slippage of ligatures can be remedied by either of 4 different ways:
1. adding small pieces of masking (paper) tape to the inside of the bands which go around the mouthpiece.
2. the same as suggestion #1, but, instead, gluing 2 or 4 thin pieces of cork around the inside of the bands. This may change (in some case even darken) the response/sound/tone quality of the ligature. Some players think this is a worthwhile experiment to try.
3. roughing up the inside of the surrounding bands with fine sandpaper.
4. using a few pieces of mouthpiece patch, around the mouthpiece, to help the ligature stay in place.
...GBK
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-03-16 22:55
This is related to the issue of "changing reeds during a performance" (on same clarinet), since one possibility would be to have a 2nd mouthpiece + ligature + reed combo all set to go. Then if reed #1 died on you, theoretically you could do a quick swap and have a little confidence in reed #2 even if you couldn't blow a trial toot. I'm doing better with my reed reliability (mostly) so I'm no longer pursuing the idea, but I had already concluded I had to include a 2nd BARREL and swap it also. But then how to be in tune?
If I ever return to this issue (like if I add an A or C clarinet and want to swap mouthpiece) I will probably Marine Goop glue some kind of small tabs onto the bottom of the mouthpiece below the ligature to give enough grip for a good twist. Especially since I have barrels that grip like a 2 yr old.
I did find that it's easier to twist and remove the mouthpiece + lig + reed with the CAP in place. I'm able to squeeze and reduce the chance of the lig slipping.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
Post Edited (2014-03-16 22:59)
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2014-03-17 01:13
If there is one ligature that can really hold the reed securely in place it's the optimum. I suggest having the cork fit for easy removal of the mouthpiece and regularly applying small amounts of cork grease.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2014-03-17 02:41
I used to use a screws-on-top Bonade mpc and I glued two strips of very thin cork along the underside of the 2 sides under the screws so it wouldn't scratch the mpc. Worked fine.
bruno>
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