I thought it would be fun to explore different ligatures and make a video of it. I hope you enjoyed it. Have your own thoughts about ligatures? Comment below!
The Silverstein ligature is pretty impressive if it supports the tonal characteristics you're looking for. I loved your tone with the Silverstein . I use on on alto saxophone but....I don't use it if I wanna' play the blues
Amie: Thanks so much for your video and insightful thoughts. First of all I applaud your choice of an A clarinet to make your video. Your sound is very nice and has a warmth and projection to it that I really like. Bravo. You are very right that each ligature has a profound effect on your tone. You did a great job demonstrating that. I have recently come back to playing clarinet again in the last couple of years after some time off. I, like you, used the Bonade Inverted through college and found it much to my liking. After 12 years away and heavy use from before I found mine wearing out. The screws felt stripped and it was time to get a new one. I also noticed a "tinny" quality to my sound that I did not like. I remember in college my professor made string ligatures, and the ones I tried were great. I never did get the hang of making them, even after watching a CZcams video on it! So I decided yo try the Van Doren Klassik. I really did question spending $75 on a piece of yarn but since I was so inept at making them, why not? I couldn't be happier. With a well balanced reed the response and resistance are amazing. I urge you to try out the string models. Will Cicola (sp?) has the video on making them. The Klassik is well received and James Pine makes twine ligatures as well. Have fun and best of luck to you. ☺
Hi Amie. I've been playing professionally for 37 years and have tried many ligatures over the years. There are many good ligatures on the market and how they respond depends on an individuals mouthpiece/reed combination. My current setup is a Buffet Tosca with a Backun inverse taper barrel, Richard Hawkins R model mouthpiece and a 35 year old original Rovner ligature. Thanks for your posting. You have a lovely sound.
Amy, This was very helpful. I am an old codger who has been playing fo about 65 years. I have a D.Bonade ligature that came with my Pete Fountain Big easy by LeBlanc. It had a crystal mouthpiece. I now play on seller as crystal mouthpieces don't bounce very well and were getting expensive. I was using a leather ligature but it stretched and became difficult to play. Your review was great. Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw were my favorites.
I own lot of ligatures and have tried many and nothing compares to the BG Traditional gold plated ligature with some kind of cork in the middle. Very focused sound,crisp articulation and great projection. Charles Bay ligatures are also nice but they lack a bit of control and the Rovner Eddie Daniels is also nice. The worst ligature I've tried is the Bois ligature. It's just a ring with no screws and the reed vibrates way too much and it's all the control I need.
Your mention of the Selmer-style ligatures that clarinetists of the 1930's and 1940's used, Benny Goodman often cocked his to the side, putting the screws in the 2 o' clock position on the mouthpiece. I asked him about it in an interview, and he said it seemed to make the tone fuller and more consistent throughout the range.
Amie Ma ligature review video Very interesting. The Rico "H" rights must have been obtained from the Harrison ligature company. It has the same stylised "H" which was an attempt to create a metal "string tied" affect. Very popular when it came out. Several different finishes were available including gold and silver. Expensive in it's day. Players would have the Bonade Inverted customized by sawing out a horizontal portion of the vertical "railed" piece that ran from top to bottom as it rested on the reed, creating a top and bottom railed "ring" that then could resonate independently from each other, sexy! My son, who is in the clarinet studio at UW-Eau Claire has recently started using a Silverstein. Many models running from expensive to insane! Again, reinventing the "string tie". Exotic space age materials (including carbon) woven together to make the string. So much FUN !
oh, I have an old Mitchell Lurie "springboard" lig too. Lately I've been favoring my Harrison (the original "H" ligature I got back in the 80's) or Rovner (ribbed)
I have a Charles Bay lig and a Bonade, Harrison, Vandoren M/O, Luyben, Rovner (ribbed) and this old one that has a plate right behind the screws. I switch off depending on the reed on any given day
Some other great ligatures you could try would be the Robert Scott (from Muncy's), the two BG Duos (sliver and gold finish), and 2 or 3 of the Ishimori metal ligatures from Japan (the gold plated copper, the solid silver, and the pink gold-plated--available from Brad Behn). Thanks for the excellent video--very educational.
As a long time pro player, I've tried them all. Literally. Imho the best ligature ever made is the old Harrison H from the 1970s. The current Rico H is based on this, but is terrible.
Hi! I'm looking into the Silverstein ligature and there's an option for medium/small clarinet/alto, then there's an option for small clarinet. I play Bb clarinet, which size do I go with? Thanks!
I stumbled upon this video because I’m having some trouble (great vid btw!). I was thinking of looking into a new ligature, I have both a Jewel and an inverted Bonade. I was thinking of trying the Rico one, although now I’m not sure. Do you have any feedback for which one you think is worth getting? Thanks!
Try the BG Duo. It's pretty expensive, but you can probably find it used for a good deal. I put the link below www.amazon.com/BG-LD-Ligature-Saxophone-Gold-Plated/dp/B005DOJFEK/ref=asc_df_B005DOJFEK/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=&hvpos=&hvnetw=o&hvrand=&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932699712049&psc=1
I like the Eddie Daniels and the Bay one. The Eddie Daniels is no longer made, you can probably find them second hand from someone you know. The Bay is about 80 or less. Good luck!
Thanks. Now I more confused than ever.
The Silverstein ligature is pretty impressive if it supports the tonal characteristics you're looking for. I loved your tone with the Silverstein . I use on on alto saxophone but....I don't use it if I wanna' play the blues
your clarinet tone is like goals :)
Amie: Thanks so much for your video and insightful thoughts. First of all I applaud your choice of an A clarinet to make your video. Your sound is very nice and has a warmth and projection to it that I really like. Bravo.
You are very right that each ligature has a profound effect on your tone. You did a great job demonstrating that.
I have recently come back to playing clarinet again in the last couple of years after some time off. I, like you, used the Bonade Inverted through college and found it much to my liking. After 12 years away and heavy use from before I found mine wearing out. The screws felt stripped and it was time to get a new one. I also noticed a "tinny" quality to my sound that I did not like. I remember in college my professor made string ligatures, and the ones I tried were great. I never did get the hang of making them, even after watching a CZcams video on it!
So I decided yo try the Van Doren Klassik. I really did question spending $75 on a piece of yarn but since I was so inept at making them, why not? I couldn't be happier. With a well balanced reed the response and resistance are amazing.
I urge you to try out the string models. Will Cicola (sp?) has the video on making them. The Klassik is well received and James Pine makes twine ligatures as well. Have fun and best of luck to you. ☺
Hi Amie. I've been playing professionally for 37 years and have tried many ligatures over the years. There are many good ligatures on the market and how they respond depends on an individuals mouthpiece/reed combination. My current setup is a Buffet Tosca with a Backun inverse taper barrel, Richard Hawkins R model mouthpiece and a 35 year old original Rovner ligature. Thanks for your posting. You have a lovely sound.
Thank you! Rovner's are great!
Amy, This was very helpful. I am an old codger who has been playing fo about 65 years. I have a D.Bonade ligature that came with my Pete Fountain Big easy by LeBlanc. It had a crystal mouthpiece. I now play on seller as crystal mouthpieces don't bounce very well and were getting expensive. I was using a leather ligature but it stretched and became difficult to play. Your review was great. Benny Goodman and Artie Shaw were my favorites.
Thanks! Can't go wrong with Bonade ligatures.
Great demonstration. I can hear the difference and I just started playing the Clarinet!
You forgot the German string. it served me professionally for a good many years.
You should review the new Dickerson Resonator Ligature - it's a ligature & resonator combined and creates beautiful centered tones
I own lot of ligatures and have tried many and nothing compares to the BG Traditional gold plated ligature with some kind of cork in the middle. Very focused sound,crisp articulation and great projection. Charles Bay ligatures are also nice but they lack a bit of control and the Rovner Eddie Daniels is also nice.
The worst ligature I've tried is the Bois ligature. It's just a ring with no screws and the reed vibrates way too much and it's all the control I need.
Stefan Sigfinnsson Rovner Eddie Daniels and the Rico H ligatures sounded best too my ears
Your mention of the Selmer-style ligatures that clarinetists of the 1930's and 1940's used, Benny Goodman often cocked his to the side, putting the screws in the 2 o' clock position on the mouthpiece. I asked him about it in an interview, and he said it seemed to make the tone fuller and more consistent throughout the range.
Amie Ma ligature review video
Very interesting.
The Rico "H" rights must have been obtained from the Harrison ligature company. It has the same stylised "H" which was an attempt to create a metal "string tied" affect. Very popular when it came out. Several different finishes were available including gold and silver. Expensive in it's day.
Players would have the Bonade Inverted customized by sawing out a horizontal portion of the vertical "railed" piece that ran from top to bottom as it rested on the reed, creating a top and bottom railed "ring" that then could resonate independently from each other, sexy!
My son, who is in the clarinet studio at UW-Eau Claire has recently started using a Silverstein. Many models running from expensive to insane! Again, reinventing the "string tie". Exotic space age materials (including carbon) woven together to make the string.
So much FUN !
Lori K. That’s insane I live in Eau Claire! I play sax in the top jazz band at memorial, which is about 2 minutes from the UW
oh, I have an old Mitchell Lurie "springboard" lig too. Lately I've been favoring my Harrison (the original "H" ligature I got back in the 80's) or Rovner (ribbed)
Timestamps of the playing so you can hear them back to back.
0:21
0:55
1:36
2:23
2:52
3:31
4:11
4:52
This is super helpful. Thanks! :)
liked the tone of the silverstein best and the bay was brightest
I’m currently using two hair ties because the ligature that came with my clarinet slides off. It’s really annoying. This is helpful. I’ll be saving up
Hi Kitty. Another way around the sliding is wrapping your mouthpiece with electrical tape so that the ligature has a better surface to stay put!
Amie Ma thank you so much! I appreciate that!
I have a Charles Bay lig and a Bonade, Harrison, Vandoren M/O, Luyben, Rovner (ribbed) and this old one that has a plate right behind the screws. I switch off depending on the reed on any given day
eddie daniels and silverstein sounds best to me
great sound
Thank you!
just bent the selmer ligature was really nice.
Some other great ligatures you could try would be the Robert Scott (from Muncy's), the two BG Duos (sliver and gold finish), and 2 or 3 of the Ishimori metal ligatures from Japan (the gold plated copper, the solid silver, and the pink gold-plated--available from Brad Behn). Thanks for the excellent video--very educational.
The BG Duos are pretty awesome.
As a long time pro player, I've tried them all. Literally. Imho the best ligature ever made is the old Harrison H from the 1970s. The current Rico H is based on this, but is terrible.
You should review the new LIBRE CLARINET LIGATURE SOLD ON EBAY
I used to have a selmer clarinet and I have to say the selmer was the best sounding.
Have you ever tried the Vandoren Leather ligature?
Yes! I have one for bass!
Amie Ma I love it for my Bflat clarinet with a Legere reed. Very clean sound.
The rico gold ligature is available in two colors. Which one would you recommend, the bright one or the other?
Where can you purchase the first ligature they don’t make anymore. The Benny Goodman
Love you're playing
Hi! I'm looking into the Silverstein ligature and there's an option for medium/small clarinet/alto, then there's an option for small clarinet. I play Bb clarinet, which size do I go with? Thanks!
+Sarah Broome Depends on your mouthpiece. Check this out --->
www.silversteinworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Sizing-Chart-Clarinet.pdf
Cuál es la mejor ligadura para aumentar el sonido?
gracias
Rico H was best, especially the high notes. But she changed them very quickly so how careful was she with reed placement.
They all seem to do their job properly of holding reed to mouthpiece. Perhaps the only difference is their respective availability and the prices.
John Stelzer they actually effect tone quality but only slightly
UM no if u want to sound like shit buy a $10 ligature if u want to sound good buy optimum ligature|
I stumbled upon this video because I’m having some trouble (great vid btw!). I was thinking of looking into a new ligature, I have both a Jewel and an inverted Bonade. I was thinking of trying the Rico one, although now I’m not sure. Do you have any feedback for which one you think is worth getting? Thanks!
Try the BG Duo. It's pretty expensive, but you can probably find it used for a good deal. I put the link below
www.amazon.com/BG-LD-Ligature-Saxophone-Gold-Plated/dp/B005DOJFEK/ref=asc_df_B005DOJFEK/?tag=bingshoppinga-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=&hvpos=&hvnetw=o&hvrand=&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932699712049&psc=1
@@amiema3775 I know it’s been a year, but thank you so much!
Oh yeah, I forgot to ask. Nice sound! Where do you study?
Thanks! I'm currently studying at APU in CA.
Thanks for the review! what clarinet and mouthepiece do you use? thanks again!
m30 mpc & r13. Good luck!
Which one is your favorite? Also what are their prices?
I like the Eddie Daniels and the Bay one. The Eddie Daniels is no longer made, you can probably find them second hand from someone you know. The Bay is about 80 or less. Good luck!
chinese??
i like chales bay and brancher.could you tell me whats the particular mode of eddie daniels rovner??
what do u think about the silverstein
They're fantastic. I consider them to be the in-between of a metal and cloth ligature.
for me, better sound you have with Rico ligature. :)
I think there isn't much difference of the sound from one ligature to the other. It is an interesting video.
people hear what they want to hear
すごく上手ですね！
verygood!!!!!
Thank you!
THANK
🎷🌻❤🎶👍
1er, selmer is best ligature. simple is best.