 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: lisa74
Date: 2011-06-07 00:15
I currently play on a Rovner dark ligature but I find that in big ensemble playing (band, marching band, etc.) my tone doesn't project well and sounds muffled. I always thought it was just a bad reed but I would switch reeds and then try them at home where I sound perfectly fine on them. So I was going to look into a new ligature.
What are your opinions on the vandoren optimum and the new M/O ligature?
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-06-07 00:26
I suspect not being able to project is due to more than just your ligature. Personally I haven't noticed that ligatures really have all that much of an effect on my sound or projection ability. Have you tried your current setup on a different clarinet? Conversely, have you had someone else try their setup on your clarinet?
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Author: Clarimeister
Date: 2011-06-07 04:17
It could be the clarinet or even just the mouthpiece. I notice especially with different mouthpieces how much different the projection is other than just tone and control. For example if you are playing on a really closed mouthpiece like let's say the M13 or M15, you'll get a really focussed tone, but you will really have to put some effort into getting good volume out of it. If you're playing on a more open mouthpiece like let's say the M30 or B45, the tone will be more flexible but you'll be able to project very well. The clarinet does indeed have some to do with projection, but I think the mouthpiece has even more do with it. A ligature would help, but not as much as a new mouthpiece. Now, to answer your question more directly, I personally do not like the Vandoren optimum's because they have way too much ring in the upper register. I have not experimented with the new M|O lig, but have heard some goods things about them. Hope this helps!
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2011-06-07 04:36
I had that problem when I tried the Rovner Dark. Rovner makes several different ligatures, so maybe one of the others would work better for you. I keep finding myself back on a Bonade but I find the Rovner metal ligature intriguing. I think that the Optimum is be quite good. Since you need more ring in your sound, it could be exactly what you need.
Chris
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2011-06-07 13:47
The mouthpiece has lot to do with it. I play now on Grabner SW1 personal mouthpiece with short lay and around 0.95-98mm opening. I also have Grabner K-14 with medium lay and 1.08mm opening. I can use V-12 #3.5+ on both mouthpieces though he says the SW1 is optimized for V-12 #3.5-4.0 but the K-14 is optimized for V-12 #3.0-3.5.
I can project even more with the K-14 though I use reeds as hard as #3.5+ . The reason is(I don't know about the designs other then tip opening and lay size) that I can put much more air in the K-14.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2011-06-07 16:40
I often find close facings to project better for me because there is more ring and focus in the tone. Often, more open facings can get more diffused and do not necessarily translate to more projection.
The ligature can have effect as some will allow the reed to ring more and be a bit more vibrant. Sometimes what sounds great in a practice room does not always have the same effect in a large ensemble or in a rehearsal/performance space. I find that (some players may need to gasp here) a little brightness or highs in the sound can really help the color of the instrument carry or sing through a group.
The only way to know for sure is to try a variety of ligatures and mouthpieces.
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Author: lisa74
Date: 2011-06-07 17:33
Speaking of mouthpieces, I was planning on ordering a new one when I ordered a new ligature (I like to experiment with ligatures I guess you could say), but I can't decided which ones to try. On wwbw you can only try out three at a time, correct? I've never actually done a mouthpiece trial before so i don't know the details. But I currently play on a B45 with either 3 or 3.5 V12s on an E11 clarinet and was looking at trying the Vandoren M13 Lyre, 5RV Lyre, and the M15. But are those ones worth trying or do you have any other suggestions on which ones I should try? I thought about trying the M30 as well but since I heard you can only try up to 3 at a time I don't know which ones to try
and thanks! I narrowed my ligature choice down to the optimum and M|O but think I'll try the M|O since it's inverted and I prefer inverted ligs
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2011-06-07 18:21
Just a suggestion, if you're going to be doing a mouthpiece trial anyway, why don't you order both the ligatures along with the mouthpieces, so you can try them all since you're going to be returning products anyway?
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-06-07 18:43
It Probably isn't the ligature as the main culprit but it will contribute. Rovner makes several different quality types of ligature, try some of the others. Visit his website to get a better idea of what he makes. You may sacrifice some quality in your sound when you try to project more, you can't always have it both ways, and the ligature is only one small aspect of the total sound/projection thing. It's often the total package, MP, reed, ligature, clarinet and YOU. ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: John Peacock
Date: 2011-06-07 19:13
Opinions differ on this. I've never been able to convince myself that different ligatures make a noticeable difference. Different mouthpiece facings, chambers and mouthpiece material undoubtedly do make a big difference, so experiment with that first.
But the experience of sounding pleasing at home and then hopeless an hour later with the same setup in a rehearsal hall is all too familiar. Partly it's acoustics: we tend to practice in a smaller and more echoey room at home, making things sound a bit better than they really are; but mainly I think it's psychology. When you hear youself against other players, that gives your ears a calibrated standard of quality - but at home you can get used to a slightly sub-standard tone and fail to be sufficiently critical. For me, this comes down to saying you can practice happily with a moderate reed, but to play in public it needs to be nothing but the best: no more than 2 of these in a box of 10.
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2011-06-09 13:08
M13 and M15 will require much harder reeds to feel 'right', so get some 4's in. M30 a bit less so. 5RVL you'll either love or hate after B45, depends on your embouchure. Takes a shorter 'bite'.
Ligatures make a bit of difference but not so much as mouthpiece.
Edit:
> do you have any other suggestions on which ones I should try?
Oh, yes: don't forget the 11.6
Post Edited (2011-06-10 07:43)
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Author: fernie51296
Date: 2011-06-10 05:13
string or woven ligs are the way to go!! well for me that is. just try them out. but dnt freget to try a string ligature because it might also be right for you too!
Fernando
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-06-10 12:22
Rovner versa (the old Eddie Daniels)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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