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Re: Think your ligature matters?

Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2014-04-23 21:13

I've tried a good number of ligatures and I think there are real, perceptible, though perhaps not audible differences between them.

As far as practical, objective differences go, some ligatures hold the reed weakly so that changing instruments at the mouthpiece can be very risky. Metal ligatures can run a greater risk of damaging the mouthpiece and reed when you put them on. Mechanically, a malleable ligature (string, fabric, leather) adapts to the reed's shape better than a metal band and minimizes inordinate pressures on the reed, although the metal ligatures with discrete contact points often work well. Finally, double-screw designs, while perhaps more adjustable, are less convenient than single-screw designs.

That said, I find that, just as different reeds have different performance characteristics, the same reed with different ligatures can feel or respond differently and THAT may cause the the performer (me) to play differently, producing a subtle, though audibly perceptible difference in performance.

FWIW, I perceive the following differences in the following ligatures that I've played:

- The inverted Bonade seems to cause the reed to play with greater resistance and less flexibility. The resulting airstream feels smaller and denser.

- The Rovner Eddie Daniels (i.e., Versa) seems to "control" reeds in a way that is helpful when playing a reed that is too flexible. It too produces a more focused/dense sound.

- The original Harrison seems allows the reed to vibrate more freely than my other ligatures and seems to have the least (negative) impact on the reed's performance. When I want to know a reed's real character, I find this ligature better reveals its true characteristics.

- The Rovner Light is similar to the original Harrison in that it allows the reed to vibrate well.

- The Rovner Dark does feel like it suppresses a reed's higher partials. While this produces a darker(?) tone, it also makes the reed feel more resistant and a bit less flexible/vibrant.

- The Rovner Mark III feels like a cross between the Light/Dark. While it does seem to "de-emphasize" higher partials, it does not restrict the reed's vibration/flexibility as much as the Dark.

- The Rico H ligature seems to allow a reed to play with good vibrancy and flexibility and seems to "smooth-out" harshness in the sound without seeming to suppress partials too much. For me, the Silver causes reeds to play with a "darker" sound than the Gold, though they play a bit more freely with the Gold. Interestingly, the original Harrison (on which the Rico is based) seems to allow the reed greater freedom/flexibility than the Rico H, which seeks to make the reed play with bit darker sound.

- German string ligatures are perhaps the most neutral, adapting well to the reed without altering its performance characteristics much.

Whether this is all in my head or not, I currently carry Harrision, Rico H Gold, Rovner Mark III and German string ligatures, and use whatever feels/plays best with the right reed.

Bob Barnhart

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Think your ligature matters? new

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2014-04-23 05:31