 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sanya
Date: 2005-03-13 20:35
So today, I was bored, and I'd often heard of people getting string ligatures, so I decided to see how it'd feel like to play with one. I took out some string and wrapped it around my mouthpiece, and started to play. My brother walked up the stairs at that moment, and he goes, "So, you got your new mouthpiece, eh?" And I was like, "Um, no..." He then told me that I sound much better! That is so awesome, but I bet my teacher's going to think I'm weird.
Yeah, that was my story for the day.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-03-14 01:09
Congrats! Try it out for a while. See if you like it. I seem to be liking it so far (but then again, I've never been one to settle . . . but the string lig certainly is the flavor of the week so far)
US Army Japan Band
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-03-14 01:11
any special types of string? any special ways to tie it? I used a soe lace...double knoted it, then wrapped it around and tucked the end into the wrap. but I'm sure there is a more efficient way. I'm gonna keep fooling around with this because it has promise...
-Lindsie
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-03-14 01:14
Most people simply use shoelaces as their type of string. There's probably going to be argument as to whether to use a flat shoelace (think of most sneaker laces) versus the round one (think snow or combat boots). Of course if you have a french style mouthpiece, you're at a slight dissadvantage not having precut grooves in your mouthpiece for the shoelace to settle in.
I tied a slipknot so I can just put the loop over the mouthpiece and at the top of the reeds butt (right before the V-cut), and tighten it. Then I wrap the rest around (not super-tight, but just firmly), and with the LAST loop, I stick the end of the shoelace in there and secure it so it doesn't flap around.
I used a 34" flat shoelace. Just cause it happened to be lying around.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: hrvanbeek
Date: 2005-03-14 01:42
Here's a link for a way to tie it:
http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Uploads/strnglig.html
This is how I was taught by the German Air Force band clarinetist. I use a 2mm cotton (unwaxed) string. I don't have a grooved German mouthpiece but it works just fine with my Morgan.
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-03-14 02:02
I just thought of something...instead of going through the tedium of wrapping the MP with string everytime you play, would it be a good idea to just fashion your string lig and then glue the string togther so that you could take it on and off like a normal lig?
-Lindsie
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Author: sanya
Date: 2005-03-14 02:33
I couldn't find the string I wanted to use, so I took out my old sewing kit and used thread. It worked well!
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-03-14 04:20
Lindsie,
A lot of the designs by companies are of that idea (tight enough to work, but you slide it on and off the mouthpiece). Weaving it seems to be the option taken more than gluing it together.
A recent poster just had a post on how to make a weave at home on your own! A link to that post
Also, if you look at the vandoren and pyne versions, those are "slip on" also.
Alexi
[EDIT]Also, lindsie, although it may seem tedious now to wrap it every time, you'll grow accustomed to it. It'll probably become faster, but even moreso than that, you'll grow so used to it that you won't even care about the extra time required.
US Army Japan Band
Post Edited (2005-03-14 04:47)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-03-14 14:27
The "knot" used for wrapping a string ligature is essentially a "hangman's knot" which is used for more serious applications. The same is also used to tie fly rods and the line guides to them. Some people just use a simple wrap and lock the end under the last loop or two.
Bob Draznik
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Author: contragirl
Date: 2005-03-14 19:38
Heather Van Beek! I know you!! You always check out music from the ICA and I always process your orders. LOL. Sorry, I'm a nerd.
When you say you use it with your "German mpc," does that mean you use a German style clarinet? I was asking about mixing german mpcs with French clarinets before, and I was wondering.
--Contragirl
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Author: hrvanbeek
Date: 2005-03-14 20:07
I'm a nerd too.
I don't use a German mouthpiece. I actually use a Morgan mpc (no grooves) and just wrap the string ligature pretty much like that link I posted above. I did learn how to do it from a German Air Force clarinetist though. Sorry if I confused you. And sorry I can't give you any info on mixing German mpcs with French clarinets.
I'll be sending another order to check out music from the ICA library soon!
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2005-03-14 20:48
The Atlanta Clarinet Association had the pleasure of hosting Karl Leister at the U. of Georgia this past weekend for a master class and as part of it I got a masters instruction in using a string ligature. I think that I will give it a try for a while but there are some tricks to the winding strength used that did not translate very well into English (winding tighter in the middle of the winding). Karl is a wonderful person and a very patient instructor. He had tips both for the clarinetists but also the piano accompanists (parts to lead and those to follow), a chello player (bowing technique), and a vocal accompanist from his many experiences with the Berlin symphony. His Wurlitzer clarinet (his baby) is a true handmade masterpiece and his playing outstanding!
L. Omar Henderson
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