 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: eaglgenes101
Date: 2013-04-28 01:57
I haven't decided on a new clarinet, but I've got a new mouthpiece and a new ligature. The ligature is the Rovner Versa ligature.
According to the manual, there are 6 different settings for the ligature, adjusted by petal plates and cloth flaps. I'm having a hard time telling the sound from one setting from the sound of another setting. Can someone give me a bit of help here?
(Before I bought this ligature, I used to use a metal ligature, screwed on tightly, if that helps anyone.)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2013-04-28 02:33
Best of luck hearing the intericacies of each setting.
I use the basic Versa (Versa x I believe). If reed feels thin, I put the flaps over it. Otherwise, I just use the metal.
Having six positions is just too much work for me. I've gotten lazier as I've gotten older.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-04-28 04:17
There is much fanciful advertising and advice about ligatures. If you can't tell any difference between the Versa setups, there IS no difference.
Begin by holding the reed on with your left thumb. Play a few notes, fingering the upper joint with your right hand. This is as good as it gets.
Next, put on your metal ligature, tightening up the screws snug and then backing them off 1/4 turn. If it's not as good as your thumb, check to see whether the metal is touching the outside edges of the bark. If it is, use two needle-nose pliers to bend a corner in the metal so that it doesn't touch the bark edges. That's what Kal Opperman did and Richard Stoltzman still does. For what it's worth, that's what I do.
It's not difficult to learn to use string, which works better for me than any ligature. See http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Uploads/strnglig.html. Use a round shoelace.
If you like the sound of a leather ligature, the plain Rovner Dark and Rovner Light http://www.rovnerproducts.com/products/ligatures/classic/dark-ligature.php are as good as any and much less expensive than the ones that cost several times as much.
Ken Shaw
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Author: eaglgenes101
Date: 2013-04-28 05:53
For now, I've opted to use the versa ligature with the tabs out and the flat metal plate, simply because it's the setting that allows for the easiest response from me.
Thanks for the advice anyway.
Post Edited (2013-04-28 05:58)
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Author: Taras12
Date: 2013-04-28 17:01
There are some very, very slight nuances between the various settings (and I mean slight). When you read all the whoop-la about the 6 separate settings, you get the impression there is a huge difference, maybe for a real master, but for most players, I think not. Saying that, I happen to like the Versa on my new Ridenour Z.
Tristan
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-04-28 23:54
Yeah I agree with Tristan. There are some variations but I think the overall architecture of this ligature has its own distinct sound. You can work from the big plate in the curvy thing with both flaps out to achieve the 'darkest sound,' to no plate with the flaps tucked in for the brightest sound.
I would like to clarify another's statement from above. There is NO leather in this ligature. Modern Rovners are all some form of "leatherette." Leather really does make a difference in sound (more than the two described configurations above). So if you can get your hands on a Rovner from the late 70's (which really were leather) or something like the Lomax (Kangaroo leather), you'll really hear a much firmer sound (not brighter, just more robust).
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-04-29 02:34
Paul -
Thanks for the correction. My Rovners are in fact from the 70s and are leather.
Ken Shaw
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Author: trish24
Date: 2013-04-29 04:58
Ken,
I looked at the first of the links that you gave above re string ligatures.
I had never seen so-called German mouthpieces with grooves in them.
Can you say a bit more about those?
Thanks
Trish
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-04-29 07:07
"I would like to clarify another's statement from above. There is NO leather in this ligature. Modern Rovners are all some form of "leatherette." Leather really does make a difference in sound (more than the two described configurations above). So if you can get your hands on a Rovner from the late 70's (which really were leather) or something like the Lomax (Kangaroo leather), you'll really hear a much firmer sound (not brighter, just more robust)."
I had a kangaroo leather ligature. Can't recall who made it, but it was very well made. Unfortunately, it stretched in use and never really worked well. Eventually I gave up on it and gave it to a friend. She didn't like it either.
Tony F.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-04-29 13:12
OK, I checked my Rovners and they're both leatherette. My ears are red.
trish24 -
German mouthpieces have grooves to hold the "Blattschnur" (string) in place, but I've never had trouble using string on my non-grooved French-style mouthpiece. Just make sure the body of the mouthpiece is clean and dry.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Ed
Date: 2013-04-29 13:19
I don't generally care for the Rovner style ligatures, but I know plenty of people who like this particular model. I would just stick it on and play it, not worrying about the flaps.
Besides, if you don't hear a difference, for all practical purposes, there is none.
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Author: Joe Bloke
Date: 2013-04-29 14:04
I think the Versa really has two different tones (flap up and flap down), not six as advertised. I've had all (I think) of the Rovner's and found, they generally dampen reed vibration instead of enhance it.
Been playing the Vandoren "Klassik" string ligature. It provides great tone and easy response. If I want to change the tone a little, I pop on the metal ligature.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2013-04-29 15:10
It does take some time to determine which setting, or settings, are best for you. Sit down with a few reeds and a pencil and pad for about one hour and play the different settings with a few different reeds and write down what you think of the tone and the response. It should begin to be obvious after a few tries which settings you don't like and begin realizing which one's you like the best. It could be the best hour of your time of your practise time. Check your notes and you will see what gives you the best results. When I did this years ago, I no longer use that style, I settled on one setting that I used for many years. I now use a different Rovner type that I like even better.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2013-04-29 15:58
I have an older Eddie Daniels to which the Versa is similar/identical. I find that this ligature "smooths" the sound (I wouldn't quite say it has a "warm" sound, but it does reduce harshness). I also find that it is valuable in focusing the sound and evening out a reed's response/performance over the range of the instrument. However, in so doing it also seems to limit flexibility.
I have not really been able to discern any effect related to the metal inserts (which I have misplaced somewhere). However, I "think" putting the flaps over the metal contacts smooths/warms the sound by a minuscule amount. Mainly, I keep the flaps over the metal contacts because I scratched the table of a mouthpiece once with the bare metal contacts and don't want to do that again.
I mostly play the Rovner light (for its flexibility and depth of sound) and Mark III, which seems to reduce high partials although it too seems to restrict the sound a bit.
I learned to use the German string ligature while studying at Goettingen University, and still think it is the best ligature in every respect, although one needs to practice using it a lot to even get close to making it convenient to use.
Bob Barnhart
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-04-29 23:41
Joe Bloke,
Do you find any durability issues with the Vandoren Klassik?
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: Claireinet
Date: 2013-05-01 16:49
I believe they get "six" variations thusly:
With metal plate
1. both flaps tucked under metal
2. both flaps placed over metal (between metal and reed)
3. one flap over one flap under....
Without metal plate
4. both flaps tucked under metal
5. both flaps placed over metal (between metal and reed)
6. one flap over one flap under....
Post Edited (2013-05-01 16:50)
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