Thanks for all your videos! I use them with my students (I teach MS band) and they love it. You do a great job and the kids love them! Our favorite is "Reed Mold, It's Real, It's Disgusting, It's curable" Kids loved the science end of this video, how you tested the different things and compared them to the reeds. Keep up the good work! Thanks!
I have played on a Pyne string ligature for the past 20 years and love it. It’s super easy to put on and off...no screws. This one intrigues me, though!
Musicians tend a fertile breeding ground for folklore when it come to science. Some claim the 50 millionths of an inch of plating on ligature affects the sound. Some claim the screws make a difference? It goes on and on. The part of the reed which is thick, not very flexible and clamped to a solid mouth piece is not likely to vibrate. We know reed vibration is fragile and can be stopped with the slight touch of the tongue. Clamping a ridged structure on the mouthpiece may have some affect on the mouthpiece resonance just like changing the material the mouthpiece is made of. It could even change the shape of the chamber and facing but not very much. It could change the resonate characteristics of the mouthpiece by increasing its stiffness. I suspect this is the process that affects the transient response - articulation. Like putting a belt around a bell it won't ring the same, (like Liberty Bell not instrument bell). Where and how the ligature contacts the reed may have more significance. That is a feature that varies wide among various designs. Where and how they exert clamp force varies too. You can easily change a reeds behavior by clamping it differently. The reed contact areas and force may again affect the mouthpiece as much as it does the reed. Another overlooked variable is how consistent is the reed location and alignment. Move a reed a few thousands of an inch and it is different. Change the clamp force and may change too. Years ago the Luyben ligature was popular. It was molded plastic with four small reed contact points. You didn't over tighten it. I wondered if the light clamp force was the reason it worked well. I have always clamped reeds gently.
I love that "tend a fertile breeding ground for folklore". I hope you don't mind if I borrow that jewel. Musicians are not the only one in that category. I also liked your explanation of the various things that could affect the sound. I will try using less clamping power. I like the geeky look but mostly that the reed and ligature don't come off when I remove the mouth piece. Problem is the cap doesn't fit anymore even with cutting it.
I was actually surprised how different the two examples with the differend ligatures sounded. The second example had a lot less "edge" in the tone and was more pleasant to my ears.
About 25 years ago, I switched to a Winslow Ligature on my Baritone Saxophone. About twelve years ago, I switched to a Winslow on my clarinet. I will never go to another ligature. The Winslow Ligatures are the best ligatures I have ever played on in my life. Like you, Dr. Lowenstern, prior to getting and using the Winslow ligs, I thought like you. A lig is a lig is a lig. These changed my mind. The Winslow Ligatures are still being made by John Winslow in Madison, WI and have not gone up in price since the first one I bought 25 years ago. They were well worth the price then and are still well worth the price now.
I think it's all dependent on how keen one is to the sound you produce and not only that but also how good your sense of touch it with your tongue and mouth are if that makes sense. Some people can feel better than others and I feel that's what makes the difference. Its not so much the ligature does the work for you but it's more like finding one that feels good and mending it to your needs
I prefer the AK ligature for this setup. Although I usually prefer the dark German sound, I honestly enjoy the bright, clear, but still round tone of your clarinet. The vandoren ligature doesn‘t really make it darker, but muffles the sound in a negative way and thus doesn’t support the sound character I liked originally. That‘s my opinion.
Wow! Quite a contrast to the ligatures smigatures video. My dog just ate my bambú ligature (fortunately threw it up a few days later), so I was interested in this until I saw the price tag.
They are identical in sound. I think the ligature choice is purely a matter of convenience and aesthetic taste. Next time they may put the plastic/rubber in black. Although they probably used clear material so that the gold color could show through.
Ligatures affect the sound more when you have mouthpieces that have concavity. And it depends on the type of concavity. Vandoren mouthpieces you can sometimes pass a cigarrette paper between the reed and the table! Anyhow - how you clamp a reed on one of these type of mouthpieces is a system problem, with poor reproduceability due to variations in reeds. I face mouthpieces with a diamond plate so that they are absolutely flat, to the point that it is difficult to remove the reed there is so much sticktion. But the result is much less fussiness about ligature. I do personally believe that mass behind the reed helps to keep the non-vibrating part of the reed from absorbing vibrations of the reed though.
I like it, because it stays on and I can adjust the reed without everything wiggling around. Also I can remove the mouthpiece without pulling off the ligature/reed. I was using a nice Rico before. What about the cap? Can you get a cap that covers over it? I cut out the opposite side of my plastic cap but it needs to be wider.
I'm watching this in a green shirt and pajama pants. Coincidence? Probably. I have reed instrument playing friends and acquaintances, so good info to have and share. Reminded me of an amazing local trumpeter preferring his beginner mouthpiece to anything else. It's what the musician likes best!
I've have an optimum for almost a decade now...I don't like the front mechanism and would prefer an inverted design...occasionally I try out something different for curiousity sake, but it's so darn sturdy and indestructible, the differences rather small, it just wins out every time.
Hello, thank you very much for the videos. I would like to ask you a question. I have been playing clarinet in bb, for 3 or 4 years, in a not very disciplined way, but almost every day. I also play a little tenor sax. My problem is the following, I really like the sound of the clarinet, and I like the sound of the bass clarinet more especially, although I have never played it, but what happens to me with my clarinet, is that I feel that it demands a lot of pressure. Although I have practiced a lot, I still get tired very quickly, this does not happen to me with the saxophone. Is the bass clarinet more similar to the tenor saxophone in terms of the pressure required to make it sound? I hope my question is understood, English is not my native language. Thank you.
It looks like he missed this one. Anyway, I did learn something from watching his video that the quality as well as the adjustment of the instrument determines the amount of air pressure to make it resonate. It sounds like your instrument may have leaks, or is just of a lower quality.
I like their sound and response so much but I wish they would exist in higher strengths so professionals could play them. 3.5 feel light. I consider them very nice reeds.
Ligatures matter a lot - to some - but not to everyone. Some players can sense / feel an enhanced connectedness to their horn when using certain ligatures. This feed-back is not felt by every player and not exclusively by well experienced players. Most listeners will determine no difference in the players sound but the player will feel more of a connection and feel more in-tune with that which they are trying to achieve. This 'wow' moment, should you be so fortunate to experience this, may very well change your life. If it does not it will most certainly change your attitude towards ligatures. hmm, I hope I have expressed myself adequately here. My personal 'wow' moment was a high-end ligature which I duly gave away to another I deemed more worthy. Their response? something I have never experienced!!!
I think it's all dependent on how keen one is to the sound you produce and not only that but also how good your sense of touch it with your tongue and mouth are if that makes sense. Some people can feel better than others and I feel that's what makes the difference. Its not so much the ligature does the work for you but it's more like finding one that feels good and mending it to your needs
The first ligature has a more resonant sound and the second a little darker...littlwe nuance, that's all. Prbably free virbrating reed givind a more resonant sound and not muffling athe higher partialc in sound..that why, I think, sounds more resonant and probably fells more...free blowing
When you chucked the reed across the room I died at 3am😭
At 5:08
THAT HAD ME IN ORBIT 😭
Thanks for all your videos! I use them with my students (I teach MS band) and they love it. You do a great job and the kids love them! Our favorite is "Reed Mold, It's Real, It's Disgusting, It's curable" Kids loved the science end of this video, how you tested the different things and compared them to the reeds. Keep up the good work! Thanks!
The Vandoren ligature had a warmer more colorful tone to me, although the AK did seem to make the articulation a little clearer.
I agree!
I own the AK and it’s warmer with the silver plates
@@Cornodebassetto Thanks! Good to know!
@@Cornodebassetto You finally got the solid sterling silver plates?
...what do you mean make articulation clearer? how might it do that exactly?
I have played on a Pyne string ligature for the past 20 years and love it. It’s super easy to put on and off...no screws. This one intrigues me, though!
Musicians tend a fertile breeding ground for folklore when it come to science. Some claim the 50 millionths of an inch of plating on ligature affects the sound. Some claim the screws make a difference? It goes on and on. The part of the reed which is thick, not very flexible and clamped to a solid mouth piece is not likely to vibrate. We know reed vibration is fragile and can be stopped with the slight touch of the tongue. Clamping a ridged structure on the mouthpiece may have some affect on the mouthpiece resonance just like changing the material the mouthpiece is made of. It could even change the shape of the chamber and facing but not very much. It could change the resonate characteristics of the mouthpiece by increasing its stiffness. I suspect this is the process that affects the transient response - articulation. Like putting a belt around a bell it won't ring the same, (like Liberty Bell not instrument bell). Where and how the ligature contacts the reed may have more significance. That is a feature that varies wide among various designs. Where and how they exert clamp force varies too. You can easily change a reeds behavior by clamping it differently. The reed contact areas and force may again affect the mouthpiece as much as it does the reed. Another overlooked variable is how consistent is the reed location and alignment. Move a reed a few thousands of an inch and it is different. Change the clamp force and may change too. Years ago the Luyben ligature was popular. It was molded plastic with four small reed contact points. You didn't over tighten it. I wondered if the light clamp force was the reason it worked well. I have always clamped reeds gently.
B
I love that "tend a fertile breeding ground for folklore". I hope you don't mind if I borrow that jewel. Musicians are not the only one in that category. I also liked your explanation of the various things that could affect the sound. I will try using less clamping power. I like the geeky look but mostly that the reed and ligature don't come off when I remove the mouth piece. Problem is the cap doesn't fit anymore even with cutting it.
I was actually surprised how different the two examples with the differend ligatures sounded. The second example had a lot less "edge" in the tone and was more pleasant to my ears.
They were identical.
I have found that the best performing ligature for me has been a German silver 2 screw from the 1920's.
About 25 years ago, I switched to a Winslow Ligature on my Baritone Saxophone. About twelve years ago, I switched to a Winslow on my clarinet. I will never go to another ligature. The Winslow Ligatures are the best ligatures I have ever played on in my life. Like you, Dr. Lowenstern, prior to getting and using the Winslow ligs, I thought like you. A lig is a lig is a lig. These changed my mind. The Winslow Ligatures are still being made by John Winslow in Madison, WI and have not gone up in price since the first one I bought 25 years ago. They were well worth the price then and are still well worth the price now.
I think it's all dependent on how keen one is to the sound you produce and not only that but also how good your sense of touch it with your tongue and mouth are if that makes sense. Some people can feel better than others and I feel that's what makes the difference. Its not so much the ligature does the work for you but it's more like finding one that feels good and mending it to your needs
It works like my old ski binding back some decades 💪😁
I prefer the AK ligature for this setup.
Although I usually prefer the dark German sound, I honestly enjoy the bright, clear, but still round tone of your clarinet.
The vandoren ligature doesn‘t really make it darker, but muffles the sound in a negative way and thus doesn’t support the sound character I liked originally. That‘s my opinion.
“Very easy to change the plates” the amount of trouble I’ve had removing Optimum ligature plates sometimes lol
Wow! Quite a contrast to the ligatures smigatures video. My dog just ate my bambú ligature (fortunately threw it up a few days later), so I was interested in this until I saw the price tag.
A wonderful looking ligature. A ligature a professional musician probably can't afford. :-)
You should also mention that AK ligature with this mechanism adjusts the exact same pressure on every reed you put on..
They are identical in sound. I think the ligature choice is purely a matter of convenience and aesthetic taste. Next time they may put the plastic/rubber in black. Although they probably used clear material so that the gold color could show through.
Ligatures affect the sound more when you have mouthpieces that have concavity. And it depends on the type of concavity. Vandoren mouthpieces you can sometimes pass a cigarrette paper between the reed and the table! Anyhow - how you clamp a reed on one of these type of mouthpieces is a system problem, with poor reproduceability due to variations in reeds. I face mouthpieces with a diamond plate so that they are absolutely flat, to the point that it is difficult to remove the reed there is so much sticktion. But the result is much less fussiness about ligature. I do personally believe that mass behind the reed helps to keep the non-vibrating part of the reed from absorbing vibrations of the reed though.
That looks a cool lig design, I like the idea of it!
As with anything: it depends on the job, the context, where it fits in the system.
how to feel self-conscious of having gear that came with your clarinet
Step one: watch this man
I use an M/O on bass clarinet and sometimes Bb. I just ordered one for my alto clarinet and alto sax
I like it, because it stays on and I can adjust the reed without everything wiggling around. Also I can remove the mouthpiece without pulling off the ligature/reed. I was using a nice Rico before.
What about the cap? Can you get a cap that covers over it? I cut out the opposite side of my plastic cap but it needs to be wider.
You should review the new LIBRE clarinet ligature sold on ebay
Actually I think this ligature saves A LOT of time on placing reeds compared to other ligatures!!
Can you do a video on reed guards
I'm watching this in a green shirt and pajama pants. Coincidence? Probably. I have reed instrument playing friends and acquaintances, so good info to have and share. Reminded me of an amazing local trumpeter preferring his beginner mouthpiece to anything else. It's what the musician likes best!
Is anything known, whether this Ligature will be build for bass clarinetts? Would really be cool.
My first thought too.
Could you review the new Dickerson Resonator Ligature for Bass clarinet?
I've have an optimum for almost a decade now...I don't like the front mechanism and would prefer an inverted design...occasionally I try out something different for curiousity sake, but it's so darn sturdy and indestructible, the differences rather small, it just wins out every time.
Hello, thank you very much for the videos. I would like to ask you a question. I have been playing clarinet in bb, for 3 or 4 years, in a not very disciplined way, but almost every day. I also play a little tenor sax. My problem is the following, I really like the sound of the clarinet, and I like the sound of the bass clarinet more especially, although I have never played it, but what happens to me with my clarinet, is that I feel that it demands a lot of pressure. Although I have practiced a lot, I still get tired very quickly, this does not happen to me with the saxophone. Is the bass clarinet more similar to the tenor saxophone in terms of the pressure required to make it sound? I hope my question is understood, English is not my native language. Thank you.
It looks like he missed this one. Anyway, I did learn something from watching his video that the quality as well as the adjustment of the instrument determines the amount of air pressure to make it resonate. It sounds like your instrument may have leaks, or is just of a lower quality.
There’s more ping and color with the AK. How much does it cost?
What's the demonstration piece at 5:17?
Wondering the same @Earspasm
Do the JLV next please!
specifically on BASS. Different plating and finishes?
I didn't hear a major difference other than the AK had a more open and resonate sound compared to the Vandoren which sounded muted.
will this be available for bass clarinet any time soon
Did you try this ligature with the sterling silver plates??
Très interessant mais...? Avec les anches synthétiques Légère..,,, ?? elles sont plus larges et là??
I wish this AK ligature would exist in 24k gold plated, would be no brainer to buy!
It is 24k!
@@earspasm The plates though! Which are the important part! Are not!!
@@jimis3167 Only then it would require a screw (so you lose the quick change) since gold is not magnetic.
@@krane15 I think even in gold could have one side magnetic, so It attaches?
Hi, Oh well... I went to that link to buy the AK ligature. They're sold out. :(
More coming next week.
That’s my exact mouthpiece 😂
how well does everything stay in place if i have to take the mouthpiece off to switch back and forth between A and Bb clarinets?
Good question, actually. I haven't found that it pulls off, but my tenon corks are well-greased.
@@earspasm thanks, that's very helpful. I guess grease early and grease often and there won't be any issues!
Question...so everybody says Juno reeds are bad...but my best reeds come from juno. Should I just stop using juno anyway?
no, there is nothing wrong with juno, they are fine reeds!
I like their sound and response so much but I wish they would exist in higher strengths so professionals could play them. 3.5 feel light. I consider them very nice reeds.
Ligatures matter a lot - to some - but not to everyone. Some players can sense / feel an enhanced connectedness to their horn when using certain ligatures. This feed-back is not felt by every player and not exclusively by well experienced players. Most listeners will determine no difference in the players sound but the player will feel more of a connection and feel more in-tune with that which they are trying to achieve. This 'wow' moment, should you be so fortunate to experience this, may very well change your life. If it does not it will most certainly change your attitude towards ligatures. hmm, I hope I have expressed myself adequately here. My personal 'wow' moment was a high-end ligature which I duly gave away to another I deemed more worthy. Their response? something I have never experienced!!!
I think it's all dependent on how keen one is to the sound you produce and not only that but also how good your sense of touch it with your tongue and mouth are if that makes sense. Some people can feel better than others and I feel that's what makes the difference. Its not so much the ligature does the work for you but it's more like finding one that feels good and mending it to your needs
Great ligature but NO reed cap :-(
Really? Custom is best. Although I'm sure there's a generic somewhere that will fit.
What kind of clarinet is that? Brand?
Probably another custom from Selmer since its all black.
Don't spend too much on a ligature. IMHO rails need to touch in line with the grain. OMG, they scooped the rails. Yea, I want it. I'll pay anything.
Maybe the JVL ligature is better?
You seem you feel better with the AK than Vandoren..
The first ligature has a more resonant sound and the second a little darker...littlwe nuance, that's all. Prbably free virbrating reed givind a more resonant sound and not muffling athe higher partialc in sound..that why, I think, sounds more resonant and probably fells more...free blowing
Vandoren M/O ligature sounded waaayyy better imo
They are identical.
Eddie Daniel’s all the way
This looks interesting, but it looks like it’s not made for saxophone.
Hi, Inconsistent, I’m Dad.
Looks like a great way to wear out your mouthpiece facing
I had one of these but I broke it. Oops.
Hi Sean, where did it break? Was it from tightening or trauma?
5:19, 5:33
Its not black!