 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Elizabeth
Date: 2002-02-21 02:57
Have any of you tried the Vandoren Optimum Ligature? Did it make a difference in your tone? Is it worth the price?
Is it cumbersome to deal with the different plates?
Any comments on the Optimum or any other favorite ligature would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-02-21 03:56
Elizabeth, ligatures have been a popular topic here for a few years. Using the "search" mode for "ligature" I found more than 125 entries. A little "homework" will yield you a lot of information.
Bob Arney
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Author: RonD
Date: 2002-02-21 04:27
I have used one for over a year. they go on and adjust very easily. Changing plates is a snap, but I have settled for the Bonade knock off. for some thing that can last decades its well worth the price. It is not as fragil as most Ligs and if you are an advanced player you can try many others, after playing for a few years you will end up with a drawer full of ligatures and maybe you will find the one and only ligature for you. As a group we seem to think that the next new ( ??? ) whatever will solve our problems and make us better players but I supect that only practice will make a big difference.
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Author: beejay
Date: 2002-02-21 13:02
I tried it and liked it well enough, but I think the Spriggs Floating Rail ligature is in every respect better. I alternate between that and an ordinary Rovner.
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Author: LynnB
Date: 2002-02-21 16:43
I got mine a few months ago and really enjoy it. For me, anyway, it cut down on resistance and added a little more projection. Once I picked out the plate I liked, I just stuck with that one so there's no hassle in changing.
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Author: ginny
Date: 2002-02-21 22:25
My son and I both found ours a big improvement over Rovners. Occasionally we switch plates. They are not that expensive mail order...of course I think of prices in terms of how many lessons vs. new mouth piece, lig etc. So if a lig makes us sound better than two or three lessons...it was probably worth it!
I also price things by how many hours I have to slave over a hot computer to make the cash... so depending on you cash flow the new lig may be pricey or not.
Ginny
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-02-21 23:42
Any different style of ligature can change the sound but is it for the better? Or even necessary to go to the expense. I have had one Selmer Paris standard lig and cap for 20 years and never changed it outlasted the mouthpiece. On my German mouthpiece I use a 60cm shoelace and in my spare horn in which I keep, to most peoples horror, a Buffet C with a BG tradition lig which I found lying around the workshop. Admittedly I play about 40 hours a week but I find I can use just about anything.
On alto sax I use a Meyer 6 which is 20 years old with the lig that came with it. Likewise on my Meyer 6 tenor. My metal tenor mouthpieces are a Berg larsen and an Otto Link both with the original lig.
Practise is more important I think!!!!!!!
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Author: sylvain
Date: 2002-02-22 04:30
The Optimum lig has become somewhat of a standard wherever I played.
Of course not everybody plays with one, but I would be bold enough to say a good 50% of clarinet players are using it.
Now, the reason why I bought the Vandoren Opt is probably due to pure marketing ;-> . But I also think, they are a good piece of equipment, they do not need to be adjusted as most bonades do, will last a good while and are just good enough to allow you to play at your full potential.
I personally use 2 ligatures, the optimum most of the time, and a fabric lig (a very old rovner or BG I can;t remember) when I feel my sound is a bit to bright especially in chamber music settings.
My final word is go in a music shop with your horn, try a bunch of ligatures and buy the one you like best. It's that simple!
-S
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-02-22 04:38
Sylvain wrote:
>Of course not everybody plays with one, but I would be bold enough >to say a good 50% of clarinet players are using it.
May I be bold enough to say maybe 5% would be stretching it - out of the few hundred players I know that are past the undergrad level. Of the working professionals I know - I don't think even one is using it on a regular basis. Doesn't mean it isn't a fine ligature, just that people I know aren't convinced that it's significantly better than what they're already using.
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Author: Jim Lee
Date: 2002-02-22 12:46
Tried lots of ligatures. I am now using a Peter Spriggs Ligature(a sponsor here) and it works great. I have tried shoe strings, BG Revlator, Rover(original moded) and a Bonade inverted that is 30 years old. The Spriggs is a great ligature but every now and then I sneak a little time on the 30 year old Bonade.
I say all of this to make my point. Be careful about trends. Find a ligature that gives a secure feeling and a nice tone and work, work, and work.
Jim
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-02-22 13:49
The only person I know who uses one decided it sounded best with the changable plate left out!
I use a Gigliotti on my black m.ps. and a gold Olegature on the yellow one, so I'm obviously more influenced by looks than colour. I agree with Mark P. From whom we still await some Aussie humour!
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2002-02-22 14:59
Mark wrote:
>May I be bold enough to say maybe 5% would be stretching it - out of the few hundred players I know that are past the undergrad level.
Maybe I know to many undergrad players ;->
And he wrote again:
>Doesn't mean it isn't a fine ligature, just that people I know aren't convinced that it's significantly better than what they're already using.
I could not agree more with you. I bought mine when I was 14 because it look snazzy and was the most expensive lig (so of course the best!). Since then, I have not found anything significantly better than what I am already using ;->
-S
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Author: Sarah
Date: 2002-02-23 21:38
I've had mine a good 6 months now and I find it very good. I can achieve a superb tone on it and i love it but like everyone has said, its all personal choice!
Sarah.
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