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Re: Think your ligature matters?

Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-06-16 16:15

There are two factors that I have been introduced to in more recent years that mitigate any difference in ligatures period.

The first is using minimal to almost zero torque. If you just have the ligature on enough so that the reed will sit there without falling off, the reed vibrates unencumbered by most factors that any ligature can present.

BREAK FOR STORY - A friend of mine who is a phenomenal saxophone player was playing a recital at which I happened to be sitting in the front row. At one point he finished a phrase an as he removed his saxophone from his mouth I could have sworn I saw the reed spin almost 90 degrees off axis. He made a quick adjustment and went on. After the show I asked him if I actually say what I thought I saw. He explained that he just bumped the mouthpiece carelessly at that moment and yes, he leaves the reed on THAT loose all the time for better resonance! I actually didn't even try that out then. It took me years to give that a shot with some really good results.

The second factor is even more 'maddening.' As unfortunate as I find it (due to my recent quest to make synthetic reeds viable for Bb clarinet), Legere reeds (and I have tried every conceivable combination of strength, cut and various mouthpieces) impair the overtone series to a substantial degree. Though acceptably euphonic for the most part, they blur even differences in sound from one clarinet to another. I can go from a R13 Vintage (modern designation that is) to a Yamaha CSG and hear no noticeable difference in timbre at all.........this is sad.

So yes, under those conditions there are few differences if any with various ligatures. And yes, students need to concentrate on learning how to play the clarinet first. No piece of equipment will make them sound like "so-and-so." But if a clarinetist feels better about her or his Brahms with "such-and-such" a ligature, no cries of foul from the bleachers will make a difference to him or her.

.................Paul Aviles

P.S. Eyebobs - I'll look those up

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