Ligatures

[CSK]

I play the alto saxophone. I am a beginner - just been playing since the last part of July of this year. I am wondering what kind of ligatures most of you like best. Right now I have the metal kind with the two screws. Is that the best kind to use or would the kind that has the one screw on it work best? I believe this kind is a Rovner ligature. I will appreciate any advice or opinions.

Carol K

[Gandalfe]

The lig you have is fine unless it doesn't hold the reed securely. The nicer ligs with the one screw and etc is just a luxury or a vanity piece. I have the vandoran optimum ligs because I like them. They are easy to adjust and look very nice. But a regular lig is just as functional if not more so.

[CSK]

Thank you for your reply to my question about ligatures. The lig I have seems to hold the reed in place but seems a little hard to slide it down to where it is supposed to fit on the reed and tighten up. Sometimes I don't know if I am tightening it too much or not enough. I probably just have to get used to all this. I think the lig is probably ok.

Carol K

[Michael Ward]

Hi again Carol
There are now many ligatures on the market and like reeds everyone has their favourites.Many players use the traditional two screw ligatures like the one you have successfully. The important thing with any ligature is that it seals the reed properly to the table. You can check this with the pop test . Also with a two screw it is important that there isn't too much of a gap when the screws are tightened ideally no more than 1/16th of an inch. I was taught to tighten the screw furthest down the piece fairly tightly and the nearest screw just finger tight.
I have tried lots and lots of ligatures on my various saxes. With fabric ligatures like Rovner, my favourite ones are the Eddie Daniels Model and the BG Revelation. These have a metal base to seal the reed and work very well however they are single screw tightening which limits adjustment but applies an even pressure.
My current Ligatures are Charles Bay models and are inverted double screw . They are made of very thin metal which works to prevent dampening of the mouthpiece. They are the best I have tried and I'll be sticking with them. Just remember that ligatures do make a difference but the differences are subtle.

[CSK]

Thank you for your reply to my question about ligatures. You said you could check that the lig is sealing the reed properly to the table by doing the pop test. What is the pop test?

Carol K

[Michael Ward]

Carol assemble the piece , reed and ligature as normal. Then assuming you're right handed take the piece in your right hand and seal the round end against your left palm.Then suck air backwards and release which, if you're sealing properly on your left palm should create a vacume and hold for a couple of seconds or more then pop open . The pop should be audible . Don't worry too much if it doesn't immediately work . It could be a warped reed table stopping it. Also it's better to have done a little breaking in of the reed first. It also takes a little practice. You can also do the same test with the piece on the neck and seal the end of the neck.
Have fun ! Mike

[Gordon (NZ)]

Personally, I think, perhaps in my ignorance, that the differences in sound produces by different ligatures is largely if not entirely in the player's imagination.

You pays your big money, so you really want to believe there is a difference, so..... A money-making marketer's dream - so much gullibility! Like the leather steering wheel cover, or the red colour of the body making the car go faster.

Gordon ducks for cover! I agree with Gandalfe - a vanity piece! Stop worrying about it. A piece of string would do just as well, but take longer to install.

[Michael Ward]

Duck for cover Gordon!!!!! Certainly to the listener there's probably little to discern but to the player variations in response do make a difference and yes vanity does play a small part. But there is a a gap in the resistance and response created say between an FL ligature and a gold plated BG ligature for instance. Also obviously an experienced player can play his set up successfully with any lig that fulfills it's primary function but played back to back different ligs do play, well.......differently...I'll join you in the bunker now !!!

[Joe Linux]

Personally I like the Rovner Fabric Ligatures with one screw. I feel it is a lot easier to slide the reed in or the ligature over the reed even though you shouldn't do this with a metal ligature because they are likey to catch on the reed and damage it. The chances of doing this with a Rovner is minimal. Also it's very easy to tighten the single large adjusting screw. I think it's a bit easier to properly position the reed with a Rovner ligature. As for sound quality, I believe the metal ones would be better because they would not dampen any vibration. Not all inexpensive metal ligatures are equal though, and sometimes the ligature screws don't turn easily. For this reason, I favor the Rovner ligature, but I would look for the best price for one on line.