Reed slips off mouthpiece

[wgilbertpt]

So I decided to learn the sax at age 36(I would practice a little in middle school on my brothers sax and enjoyed it). I bought a use Bundy II that came with case, mouthpiece etc. The mouthpiece is a Yamaha that was new in box. The reed retainer? was from a pile of them the seller had in a drawer. He gave me the wrong one first and it wouldn't clamp. I returned that one and was given one that said "alto sax". Problem is it wont stay on the mouthpiece. Just trying to tighten it down causes it to start sliding off the end even with trying to apply even pressure from each screw. Reed too wet? Doing something stupid?

[Steve J.]

Often a ligature has to be molded to the mouthpiece shape. Based on your description, I would guess as you tighten, there is an initial premature contact point. Bend, manipulate, mold the lig off the piece to eliminate this premature contact.

Eventually after tightening down, the lig will mold to the piece in a more fine tuned way. I find ligs work best when the pressure on the edges of the reed is non- existant or minimal. Pressure should exist more centered on the reed bark as equal as possible.

After this is acheived it is interesting that a change in response results by subtly changing the tension difference of each screw.

[Nefertiti]

You need a new lig. I had a student who had a lig like this. I tried for 15 minutes to get it to tighten but everytime I tried it slid forward off the piece. I think it also has to do with the taper of the piece and the taper of the lig. Take the piece to the store and fit one right there.

[BrassaxMan5]

I say go return that one and go buy yourself one, they're cheap.

[wgilbertpt]

Thanks I will return to the store and purchase one made for the yamaha mouthpiece. If it still is a problem then it will be time to try the molding technique.

[Gandalfe]

Bring your mouthpiece in (which you probabably are already doing) and find a lig that fits it. Not all ligs work on all mouthpieces. And if you get a cheap lig, it will never work.

It is frustrating to get a lig that either doesn't work or, even worse, kinda works but you have to work with it too long to make it worth while. When you have those kind of ligs, and in the middle of a concert, you are loath to make a needed reed change because of the stress it will cause.

Nefertiti, I think you are right about the taper. I never buy a lig now-a-days unless I have the mouthpiece in hand. It just isn't worth your time.