Author: ThatPerfectReed
Date: 2014-01-30 18:12
Ah the ligature.
It's quite possible that no other part of the clarinet has gotten as much attention, compared to the relatively small difference it makes in our playing from one brand to the next, as compared to other parts of our instrument.
I hear gasps. Product managers and players alike may now reach for their keyboards as they berate me with their life affirming stories of how "this ligature made them the great player they are," or how "that ligature solved everything bad in their playing," or how "1000s of hours went into the development of this ligature you so cavalierly dismiss!"
I plead guilty, even hypocracy: I care about my ligature. I want it to bring out the best in my playing, and as a side note, it would sure be nice were ligatures super easy to take on and off (not that they're so hard). I've tried many, there are definitely some I like more than others, and I don't mean to offend anyone's legitimate scientific research or use of said science to make a case for "that thing which keeps the reed on the mouthpiece." We devoted clarinet players care about EVERYTHING clarinet.
I just think the marginal differences between two decent ligatures are more likely to boil down to a matter of preference, and that maybe, just maybe, the ease with with the dang thing can come on and off (i.e. easy of ease) may be underestimated as a factor people would like. Again, I'm not saying to compromise ease of use for a ligature's effectiveness, but rather, say, "torn between 2 ligatures, the one easier to apply/remove might be the winner.
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Okay--with this preamble in mind. Check out the watch strap in the attached pictures. It's nothing remarkable for watches--we've all scene it--but serves as the starting point for a ligature idea.
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The Clarinet BBoard
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