 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: jonathan.wallaceadams
Date: 2017-02-06 06:01
So, I'm looking at the Vandoren Optimum and the Ishimori Kodama II. Is it worth paying twice as much for the Kodama? Or should I save my money and pick up a BG Standard lig for $26. I want to try the parallel pressure point concept without having to buy multiple ligatures. Which one give the darkest sound while being substantially free blowing?
Just an aspiring student.
Buffet Tradition
Mpc.: Hawkins "G", Barrel: Moba, Reeds: Reserve 3.5+
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Author: kdk
Date: 2017-02-06 07:51
The most important thing a ligature does is hold the reed to the mouthpiece. Any benefit beyond the security of that hold is going to be a matter of opinion and you'll find very little if any consensus. So, in the end, "is it worth paying xxx for the [insert name of equipment]" is a question that only invites unreliable responses. I wouldn't pay the kind of money the Ishimoris cost, but I've found a number of ligatures in the <$50 range that I'm happy with. In fact, I was perfectly happy with the string ligatures I used for a few weeks - the cheapest ligatures I've tried - but I couldn't rely on quickly changing instruments because they came loose too easily.
A ligature (really any equipment) doesn't give you a "dark" sound - it may make it easier to produce the sound you want, but *you* make the sound. A ligature may by its design allow the reed a little more or a little less freedom, but whether or not you get twice the freedom for twice the price is something you'll have to work out for yourself.
I'd suggest that you avoid really expensive ligatures unless you can find someone you know who has one that you can try or you can afford to waste the money if you don't like the result.
I've never tried the BG, but I like both the Optimum and the Rovner Versa. But, IMO (and I'm not alone) a great deal of the difference you hear in the result from one ligature compared to another is a difference that doesn't travel any farther than your own two ears. It may make you *feel* more comfortable, but a listener is highly unlikely to notice the differences that you hear or, mostly, feel. So the choice is more one about player comfort than end result. There are plenty of lower-priced ligatures that can make you feel comfortable.
Karl
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Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2017-02-06 08:03
I played on an Optimum for years with great results. It's fun to switch the plates depending on what ensemble I was playing in.
I now use Ishimori exclusively. I keep a solid silver if I want less resistance and projection (read: I don't want to be covered by the rest of the ensemble...looking at you trumpets). I switch to the rose gold if I want to kill some overtones for a warmer sound. Both have a good core round quality.
~Robt L Schwebel
Mthpc: Behn Vintage
Lig: Ishimori, Behn Delrin
Reed: Legere French Cut 3.75/4, Behn Brio 4
Horns: Uebel Superior (Bb,A), Ridenour Lyrique, Buffet R13 (Eb)
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-02-06 08:05
You kind of have a mishmash of an assortment of different products to make up your clarinet. You seem to favor kind of a very dark sound, but not a warm sound that carries better in a hall perhaps. So in this case maybe go with a soft ligature, with little or no metal touching the mouthpiece and the reed. This will help deaden the vibrations of the mouthpiece.
Be careful with the words dark and warm. Dark can often lead to a lack of projection, not able to be heard in a symphony hall, but up close it sounds great. So you have to use a stiff reed an open mouthpiece and blow your brains out to be heard. As you can see I'm not a fan of dark sounds, but I am a fan of warm sounds. I'm after a sound that RINGS and fills a hall, but we are all different.
The Vandoren CL5 is not a dark mouthpiece. It a French mouthpiece, more for brighter sounds. You may want to look at Zinners to find that dark sound before buying a ligature. This would match the Backun barrel you are using to get that dark sound.
What does your teacher suggest?
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2017-02-06 12:16
Jonathan...I'll assume by "parallel pressure point concept' that you're referring to the dual-rail plate that's installed by default on the Optimum ligature.
I have an Optimum in silverplate and use the dual-rail plate exclusively. I find it to enhance the responsiveness and free-blowing qualities of my setup. It doesn't do anything, however, to "darken" what I'm hearing. If anything, I get just a little extra sparkle and ring with the upper harmonics.
If you just want to give the dual-rail system a try, I find that a carefully-adjusted Bonade Inverted yields much the same results as the Optimum with dual-rail plate. You might want to start there, for around US$20.
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Author: SarahC
Date: 2017-02-06 14:15
I can't talk about your second one. But I have the leather rovner, a few other metal ones plus the optimus. I feel the optimus is by far my favourite. It's effect is to make the articulation really clear.
The leather one has the effect of fuzzying the articulation. Slightly more mellow tone too.
I think the difference between all my ligatures isn't huge. But I like a clear attack. And the optimus gives me that spectacularly.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2017-02-06 17:10
I agree with some that ligatures often can affect your perception or feel, somewhat more than what most listeners will detect. Of the elements in the equation of all of the equipment, the ligature is likely the smallest part.
To beat a dead horse, only you can decide what is worth it, fits your concept and feels the way you want. At the same time, I would aim to find something that feels comfortable and responds and articulates well and then focus on making the sound and getting the results that I want.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2017-02-07 00:30
Really have to try and see.
Some things work really well for some, etc.
Can't possibly say for you what will work or be worth the $'s. Have a trained ear listen to you also, as that can also be of great help.
What you hear, and what the audience hears could be different.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2017-02-07 03:04
For all intents and purpose...a ligature no matter the brand if it fits the mouthpiece properly and works well with the reed should not be a such a fussy issue. I use the Rovner Dark and the Vandoren M/O no problemo...tone wise after about 10 feet most listeners cannot tell nor should they care to.
David Dow
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Author: Cappuccino
Date: 2017-02-07 07:13
The only way to really know is to try them...
Alexander May
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFZta2RG4iM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh8O5DC4Tqs
"Looking at art, you're looking at the result of a philosophy." - John Emmett
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2017-02-08 20:19
Agreed, you must try them to determine which is best for you. Same with all things clarinet wise. Try before you buy. Many will make very little difference to you, some will make you feel and or sound better or worse.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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