 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-09-15 13:53
Someone on the Board recently mentioned that this is what is happening on the Vandoren Optimum ligature. On my latest deep dive into the mysteries of ligatures I have gotten wonderful results with the constancy of articulated pitches throughout a scale with the Optimum as well as the Rovner Platinum.
Question:
What other heavy ligatures are there?
How many others of you out there have had great results with even articulated note intonation using "heavy" ligatures (if any)?
...............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-09-15 18:40
Spoken like someone who never tried it. Please reference Dale Fedele’s video, “A Metric Ton of Ligatures.” This, admittedly sent me down a weird, sometimes dark path but I’m not sorry to have found a new way (new to me) to evaluate my playing that has made verifiable improvement.
…………Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hunter_100
Date: 2022-09-15 19:08
Paul,
I thought ultra light plastic ligatures were your preferred equipment, what motivated you to head toward the complete opposite spectrum of ligatures?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-09-15 20:33
Yeah, I left out a LOT of info. So, the said video (which I’ll post when on an appropriate computer) speaks of finding YOUR solution to a ligature that provides a consistent pitch upon the attack of a note…..as you move down a scale. What I do is play two repeated eighth notes (130bpm) using a descending C maj scale that starts on the C two ledger lines above the staff. When I hit the F, I consistently noticed a dull sound (hallmark of a lower pitched attack) on most of the most recent ligatures I favor. Some that worked for me were ones Fedele demonstrated to be perfectly fine. Another that worked well for me was the one he hated the most. But one that worked for me was the Optimum, and that took me in the direction of “weighted.” The Rovner Platinum is also unusually resonant and compares quite favorably with the passel of carbon fiber ligatures I’ve acquired.
So what does this? I don’t know, but I want to rule out, or confirm a weighted system.
………..Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: kilo
Date: 2022-09-15 23:45
Mass loaded ligatures...never tried one. But it wasn't too difficult to cut a one inch strip about eight inches long from a roll of lead flashing, wind it around a mouthpiece with the reed in place, and mold it into shape with repeated tapping with a small machinist's hammer. It grips nicely, just slides on or off. It weighs a full two ounces. Ran some staccato scales and everything sounded pretty lively. In fact, it sounded the same as my Brancher, Equatone, or Luyben. Potential toxicity will limit its use though – and the fact that it won't fit in my case. Thanks, Paul!
https://i.imgur.com/NvN9KWO.jpg
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2022-09-16 00:01
Paul,
Firstly, I always enjoy reading your posts and responses. I find your enthusiasm to make for highly enjoyable reading (and a bit addictive for me!). I also find you to be very inquisitive and unafraid to try new things and when something new improves a particular aspect of your playing (from your point of view), you're not the least bit concerned about what others may think of you in changing your mind about using a totally different ligature or reed that you previously announced in the past as being the greatest.
Secondly, "Clarinet Mentors" ranks the Vandoren Optimum as in second place to the top five of her favorite ligatures. https://www.clarinetmentors.com/resources/LigatureRecommendations.pdf
Innovations are always producing products which may or may not improve the playing performance for an individual. As the saying goes...you can't know for sure until you've tried it.
Concerning better intonation, here's a barrel from Rovner called the Proteus which advertises improved intonation and tone: https://donnaschwartzmusic.com/rovner-clarinet-barrel/
Also: https://www.rovnerproducts.com/rectangular-bore
(Although advertised as "new", it actually came out in 2017.)
As for me, I'm always on the lookout for anything that makes playing easier (using less effort) due to my embouchure dystonia problems.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-09-16 02:23
The video in question illustrates a methodology for checking another aspect of our playing and whether we are actually producing consistent results. The original post where I put the video got a little off the rails over the exactitude of what we were listening to and whether all the possible variables one could conceive would make the premise invalid. I would argue that one need only test this for themselves.......honestly. My "bad" note is always the F on the top of the staff. Many of my ligatures (and I own enough to represent pretty much most of what's out there) gave me a lackluster response on that clarion F. Others produced a clear, ringing attack as shown within the video. I would say you should just attempt a similar staccato exercise descending from the upper clarion and see if you have some "bad notes." Then go through different ligatures to see if any difference occurs (and by all means, avoid lead).
The video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o68Iqf_1vDg
You notes and solutions WILL vary.
.................Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-09-16 05:37
Also, just to be clear, there is NO MASS LOADING reference by Dale Fedele. I just found that for me, the Vandoren Optimum met the criteria for a clear sounding articulation. The main difference between this ligature and most others is the "weighted ends". Someone then pointed out the similarity in design theory to the Reed Geek's Klang Bogen (yet more about weight and connecting the various parts at the top of the clarinet).
................Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2022-09-16 16:28
Perhaps the AK ligature would fit into that category
https://www.kesslerandsons.com/product/ak-gold-plated-clarinet-ligature/
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-09-16 17:11
Thank you Ed for the suggestion. I had tried this ligature BEFORE the articulation pitch idea came up for me. Kessler themselves said that this ligature was not meant for the ultra thin architecture of the Legere Euro Cut reeds which I use. I ordered, tried, and returned the ligature having found that it does not work in the prescribed manner when the reeds are that thin (up and down that is).
For what it's worth though, there was nothing particularly resonant about it when I did have the reed secured and ready to play.
................Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: super20dan
Date: 2022-09-17 02:15
i have gone back to my 1980,s rovner mk3 on bass clarinet as i cant get what i want out any of my dozens of metal ligs using the euro cuts. the euro cuts work so well i am not about to quit using them.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-09-17 06:23
I gotta say, this thing looks really interesting.
THANKS Dan!!!
.............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
