I have seen a lot of references to "best ligatures", but I am very sceptical. After all, it only holds the reed against the lay of the mouthpiece. I have just experimented using a 50 cent Walmart hose clamp instead of my ligature, and I couldn't tell the difference. Any comments from the forumites ?
Assuming your Embouchure is fine (most peoples actually don't take in enough mpc), mpc is fine, instrument tuned up, etc - the lig can make a difference.
For example: The standard double screw ligs holds the reed in such a position that on octave key notes you can get a slight high pitch while you are playing. Most people cannot hear this high pitch, only trained ears. And it may not be on all lig/mpc combos.
The top screw, floating rail type designs, etc eliminate the reed from getting pinched. The light pressure ligs like the Vandoren Klassik string allows the reed to fully vibrate no matter how tight the person tightens it. Of course, alot of ppl also over tighten their ligs too.
So it can make a difference, just that there are so many other factors that have greater importance.
On the Bass Clarinet the slant and and pressure ommiterd by the mouthpiece changes the tone (Jazzy, delicate, etc.) But i'd say that most changes come from reed copndition, your ability and your embosure
Oh yeah, they definitely do. The more the reed is clamped by the ligature, the less it can vibrate and therefore causes more problems. I use a BG revelation which I've found has been really good for altissimo playing as it hardly touches the reed at all. There are others you can get with interchangeable pressure plates (ie Vandoren) and some that are really just a piece of tight elastic. The less the reed is clamped, the more responsive the cane is.
I know someone who uses a piece of rope since a few months, and her tone has really improved. My teacher also had a ligature of rope, made by Vandoren. I tried it too and the tone is really better. I also think playing can be easier when using an other ligature.
But as someone said before, the quality of the ligature depends on the quality of your playing too. So I think that for high school students (secondary school) it won't make much difference.
The best ligatures are acually shoestrings!!! lol i'm nawt kidding!!! Metal ligs are okay as long as they are on the clarinet backwords, and they are as loose as possible. The reed vibrates all the down, nawt just at the tip, and you will have a better tone the looser the lig. Leather ligs with one screw are the worst ligatures to have because they don't cover enough of the reed.
-Claire Winne
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