Author: Phil Pedler
Date: 2008-07-31 14:48
When I was in college (and I graduated in 1971), I collected every new ligature that came out. There were about 4-5 innovations at that time. I noticed that the advertisements would say, “It's as good as string.” So around my Junior year, I thought, “So why not use string?” and I have been ever since.
Before I used the woven nylon string that is used for chalk lines. Now I use a thicker string, that has more elasticity to it, and a texture like thick yarn. I can't tell you where to get it, as I got mine in Indonesia.
My string is 30.5 inches long, and I normally wind 7-8 times around, the last time around I make the loop that holds it on. I have almost zero problems with my ligature coming off. It doesn't take much longer to apply than a standard ligature, and it comes off faster than a standard ligature.
On my French-style Hite mouthpieces, I have scratched some grooves on the back side, just to add a little extra insurance that the string won't slip upward. But I only started doing that about 10 years ago. If you get the right kind of string, it won't slip. Cotton string slips.
The main thing one must watch is that the left over string is not long enough to get caught in the top side key or the register key!
I agree with Firebird. With string, one doesn't strangle the reed, as you can if you turn down the screws on a standard ligature. When you have the reed tied on, you can still move the reed up and down and sideways. If the reed is thicker on one side, string will hold it evenly.
But so will a Rovner ligature. And even though I still use string, I don't see that much difference between string and a Rovner ligature that is sensibly applied.
Phil Pedler
clarinetpages.wetpaint.com
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