 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Whitney C.
Date: 2001-08-17 01:01
I never realized that the lig made a difference. I use the one that came with my R-13 (even though I use a different mouthpiece). My question is, why do people buy different ligatures? How does it change the sound? I have just never thought about it before.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: willie
Date: 2001-08-17 04:25
Ligs come in many different designs and some will work better for you than others. Some factors to consider is the type and strength of reed, the type and cut of the facing on the mouthpiece, and your chops. My Harrison works great with a 2RV, 5RV or my Selmer C*, but is lacking on other mouthpieces. You have to experiment with all the combinations you can come up with. Tone will vary on some too. It may be a better jazz lig than say a concert tone. If you look at the different contact points on the reed, you will see that some allow the reed to work and vibrate differently. Some have rails, some have just 4 contact points, some are cloth type and cover nearly the whole end of the reed. The old simple metal ligs just clamp down like a hose clamp, not letting the reed do its thing very well.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-08-17 15:02
In a physical sense, the design of a ligature (shape of contact point(s), material used, tension) affects the reed vibration by: (a) promoting or inhibiting the mode shapes (nodes/antinodes) of the reed vibration by putting pressure on the reed in different locations, and (b) inhibiting the reed's ability to produce vibrations at different frequencies depending on the damping-vs.-frequency characteristics of the material used in the ligature. As far as the player is concerned, it boils down to trying out a lot of different ligatures to see if these effects help or hinder your playing.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2001-08-17 15:04
As the tip of the reed vibrates to creat the sound for the clarinet tube, the base of the reed also vibrates in "harmony" with the tip. Different ligitures grip the base in different ways resulting in a change in its resonating pattern. As the vibrating pattern of the base is changed, this alters the pattern of vibration for the tip of the reed, resulting in a change of sound in the clarinet tube. Basically, the way the ligiture grips the base of the reed will dictate how the whole reed vibrates to produce the clarinet tone. So, the less the grip--two rail Bonade, four point VanDoren Optimum insert, six point Winslow--the more the resonace and the brighter the sound. The more the grip--Rovner, "pressure plate" ligs, regular stock ligs--the less the resonance and the "darker" the sound. The positioning of the lig--higher or lower--on the mouthpiece will also have an effect of the vibrating pattern of the reed as well as the tighness of the ligiture screws or bands gripping the reeds. Depending on the "lay" of the mouthpiece, not all ligitures will work for all mouthpieces and the "cut" of a red will also be a factor in the sound. Whew!!!! With all of these variables to worry about, why don't we all just switch to the trombone?? (Anji might just say "YOIKES!!!") But, for those of us who experiment with all of the different set-ups available, the "right" sound is out there for us to find, evenually. (if ever) My own preferences are for the ligitures that grip the reed "less"--I currently use the VanDoren Optimum two-rail insert--producing the more resonate, "brighter" sounds. Many of the "pro" players that I personally know use the old Bonade ligiture and recommend "a good metal ligiture." But, to each his own and you should experiment to find out what works best FOR YOU. Good luck and Good Clarineting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2001-08-18 12:57
I find myself wondering how many of these theoretical influences actually have any significance, or whether they are just items that influence the perception of the player rather than any real change. Has anybody done any Fourrier analysis on diffent ligatures?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Pegel
Date: 2001-08-19 00:19
Let's take it a step further and analyze reed vibration with different ligatures. It might take out some of the fun of browsing for equipment. I say leave well enough alone.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Whitney C.
Date: 2001-08-19 04:52
Hmm... maybe I'll look around and experiment. Thanks guys.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
