Author: SecondTry
Date: 2024-05-25 20:29
I'd like to better clarify some of the issues I wanted to touch upon in this thread.
First is my belief that once a ligature meets basic competency metrics: which I'll define as the ability to reliably secure the reed to the mouthpiece, that the differences between them are minimal--not absent--just minimal.
In fairness I can feel a difference between, say, a leather (in my case Vandoren) and metal (Optimum) ligature. And based on my philosophy you'd think I'd play the most basic ligature, and yet I play the Optimum, and that's because another factor is at play.
Still more, I respect that people, especially those who are better players than me, and subject to greater nuanced play, place greater stock in their ligatures.
I like ligatures that, without compromising the above basic competency metrics facilitate the rapid placement and removal of a reed and the Optimum, with its double threaded mechanism allows the quick clamping or release of a reed with minimal thumbscrew turns, as if the screw threads were more coarse (which all other things equal would reduce grab strength were the TPI (threads per inch) smaller (i.e. more coarse) ), but while still maintaining the holding power of relatively fine threads. For those new, the thumbscrew tightens at both places it contacts the ligature.
A second philosophy I seek to combat are the high prices of music gear, whose design often originates outside of music. I've often joked that "put a treble clef on the box, triple the price." And I get it. Clarinet accessories are not a volume sale business. Fixed costs (like patents) have to be distributed over fewer sales. My favorite example is the now lomng discontinued Rico Reed Vault, which was a food grade storage system from another vendor with Rico's packaging.
The fast reed on/off goal: which BTW is becoming less so with my greater use of synthetics that don't get sanded and played (and sanded and played...) has nonetheless found me very intrigue with the AK ligature, briefly discussed on the forum, and by Michael Lowenstern here https://youtu.be/N4Fl1sOM2Os?si=lIHTfl3_6SwGi8r7. Of course the price contradicts my second philosophy.
Finally, I found my spring loaded clamp a.k.a. ligature in, of all places, the weight lifting barbell world https://tinyurl.com/bdd7dys4 but fear the device too cumbersome (or stupid looking)--or maybe it's clamping too tight, but at $1.50 a ligature before shipping, is attractive, in addition to its fast reed on/off features.
Perhaps at some concert in which a tuxedo and bowtie is the dress code I would also adorn said clamp in matching bowtie.
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