 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-01-16 20:29
At the risk of pointing out the obvious: we’re all entitled to think which ligature works best, the reason(s) why, and the degree to which the best candidate is really worth its price differential from the next best option.
My experiences lead me to believe that as a general rule, ligatures—or at least the ones currently out there, don’t that much affect my play or how I am heard: having had others with trained ears listen to me. Yes, there are your junk ligatures with plastic screws that strip, etc. Let’s agree not to use them or have our students do so. Instead, I’m talking about the differences between ligature brands otherwise generally accepted as well capable of doing the basic things we task ligatures to do: reliably, and without damage or an exorbitant amount of setup or deconstruction time, affix the base of our reeds to the mouthpiece table.
Not to single any brand out, but I think we could all agree that most, say, Vandoren and Rovner ligatures, 2 randomly selected makers, meet this basic requirement, as of course does I suspect all of the really high end ligatures (e.g. Silverstein/Ishmori), the occasional individual defective product notwithstanding and noted.
And okay, maybe if I was a better player I would discern those differences. I’ll agree to consider that plausible.
Accordingly, my beliefs here then lead me to seek the fastest ADJUSTABLE and reliable ligature to put on and take off. And even if your ligature philosophies differ, you too might desire just such a ligature at least when testing and adjusting reeds, where playing, removing, adjusting, affixing, and retesting reeds form a repeated cycle.
So what’s the fastest adjustable, at least basic ligature to get on and off, its ability to produce better play for us considered only as a distant and second criteria? Do people think the Vandoren Optimum and M/O ligatures rank high here in their single screw, with double threads features? Do those double threads really make a difference in the ability for the ligature to open and close with minimal screw twist?
Somewhat tangential a question, aside from personal preference, why buy a Vandoren Optimum ligature if you can buy an M/O that also works on Vandoren’s Master series mouthpieces and features the same double threaded screw?
I must admit, I think Michael Lowenstern made a compelling argument here http://youtu.be/6ghMCiV8hTg?t=2m40s that my “go to” ligature, at least for reed testing, might best be a plastic adjustable cable clamp, as available in home improvement box stores.
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Author: Wisco99
Date: 2015-01-16 21:57
I am a sax player who also plays clarinet and other woodwinds, so I have a different view than perhaps someone who just plays clarinet. I have accumulated a lot of ligatures in 40 years of professional playing, and there is not one that does everything equally well. On clarinet the BG Super Revelation makes tonguing the easiest and sound the best...a clear winner in that category. Other ligatures give me a better sound, response, or just seem to make the instrument come alive, but that can change from day to day. I wish there was one clear winner to cover all situations, but until that day arrives I guess we are best served with having several to choose from.
I can look down a row of 5 woodwind players doing a show, and everyone has a different mouthpiece, reed, ligature, horn, and this applies to clarinet, flute, saxophone, and whatever else we are playing. We are all built differently and hear things differently. I know lead trumpet players who have 50 mouthpieces, so the curse applies to the brass world too.
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Author: Wisco99
Date: 2015-01-16 22:46
White Plains Dave, your comment about which player stays alive is duly noted. So far I am still alive and kicking. A man has to know his ligatures limitations.
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2015-01-17 08:32
I would say a Rovner, or any of the Vandoren models with double screws. The Optimum, Leather, and MO have them. My Rico H Silver goes on fast, but definitely not as fast as a rovner.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-01-17 08:40
I'll go with the Vandoren M/O. It is a metal "pouch" design with a single inverted screw so it automatically adjusts to any mouthpiece architecture instantaneously. It is also is one of the best 'sounding' ligatures (if there is such a thing). I use it when doing my 5 minute break-in drill as I go through a box of reeds.
Can't beat it with a stick!
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: MichaelW
Date: 2015-01-17 17:16
Attachment: SAM_0392a.jpg (193k)
Double-sided Velcro. Once adapted it can be slipped on and off in an instant but isn't as slippery as a cable clamp.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-01-17 19:24
For fixing reeds, I've been known to adjust a two-screw ligature so that it can be slid into and out of playing position without turning the screws, using just finger/thumb pressure on the screw receivers. Surely others here have done the same.
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