The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Clamp that sucker down!

Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2015-02-28 19:40

Lelia Loban wrote:

> A formula to determine optimum tightness of the ligature sounds
> like a great idea. However, in order to use such a formula,
> those of us who play on natural cane reeds, which vary a great
> deal even within one brand and one size-number, would need to
> know the density, the exact hardness and a bunch of other stuff
> about each individual reed.

I'm not sure the variables connected to the reed would matter to the formula. You may have a crummy reed, but the vibration at a specific ligature tension and point of application shouldn't change. You'll still have a crummy reed, but you'll know it isn't because the ligature is too tight, too loose, too high, too low, etc. Whatever characteristics the individual reed has, they *should* be optimal with optimally applied pressure.

Or maybe not. We'll never know until someone tries to work the problem out systematically.

> Maybe as an amateur I'm too inclined to evoke
> the old KISS rule: Keep It Simple, Stupid.
>

I think some are taking this too seriously, at least from the point of view of playing. It's, at least for me, a matter of curiosity, not a practical need as a clarinetist to think about how this kind of prediction could be worked out. It will always be easier to find the ligature tension and placement that are optimal for me by just putting it on the mouthpiece and testing it (yes, Keep It SImple).

But such a calculation or statistical analysis could, conceivably, influence people at the design level. When you think about it, while we can control the tension level easily with any ligature on the market, we generally have no control over where the tension is applied or how it's distributed. A couple of ligature makers give us some choices via interchangeable plates, but we still have to choose from the alternatives the manufacturer gives us. Who knows what additional alternatives might be thought of in view of the kind of calculation we've been talking about.

Karl

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics

Author

Date

Clamp that sucker down! new

WhitePlainsDave

2015-02-27 20:32