[Jtmusic]

1st off, I play tenor. :treble:

So, I've been taught (by a guy a few years ago who made his alto sound like brass heaven) that if you take your ligature, and turn it upside down (screws would be on the top of the mouthpiece, the reed on the bottom), you reduce that unwanted reedy sound and you can sound darker.

Now, I've done this for a while, and I was wondering if anyone else has seen this to be true. I am curious, because i saw results, and i want to know if it is just what i expect to hear, or if it can actually cut out some of that yucky, reedy sound you dont want to hear in classical music.

I should probably also mention that i play with a leather ligature, single screw, so the shape of the reed does not make much of a difference.
Does this hold true to metal ligatures as well?

 

[hakukani]

No.

There are all sorts of ligature designs. Some have rails, raised places, plates, etc. They change response, not much else.

Except for Rovners--they kill the sound.

 

[ARC454]

I'm not so sure about the Rovners killing sound... The one I use on my alto seemed to, contrary to all proper logic, brighten the sound up a bit, and it frees the response up nicely. I've been doing the lig with the screws up for years, it just made more sense to not have the pressure points on the soft reed. Yeah, like hakukani said, about all a lig does is change the response, a little. The rest is in the head of the player, most likely.

 

[bstrom]

I don't think there is any set way to do it. Screws on top is supposed to be more responsive but who knows. Some ligs are designed with them on top including the one screw metal Selmer or Vandoren Master. The position of the lig towards the front or back of the mouthpiece seems to affect things more as far as bright or dark for me. I think you just experiment and find what works for you, the reed you are using and the sound you want. I found that Rovners deaden things a bit to much for me but some people love them.

 

[Jtmusic]

Rovners.
I keep on hearing about rovners.
What are they?

 

[hakukani]

Leather ligatures.

 

[bstrom]

Yeah, it's a fabric band with a tightening screw probably like your leather lig. There are a few different models.

 

[Jtmusic]

Oh!!!
Woa! thats pretty cool!!!
I like rovners (now that i know what they are) even if they do dampen the sound alot.

 

[bandmommy]

Screws on the top, screws on the bottom, I've used both kinds of ligatures and haven't heard any real difference.
I've used Rovner ligatures with the bars on top and the bars on the reed. No real difference there either.
But then again I'm getting pretty old and my hearing probably isn't so good anymore...

I think it's all personal preferance. If you like what you hear, stick with it.

 

[Jtmusic]

Screws on the top, screws on the bottom, I've used both kinds of ligatures and haven't heard any real difference.
I've used Rovner ligatures with the bars on top and the bars on the reed. No real difference there either.
But then again I'm getting pretty old and my hearing probably isn't so good anymore...

I think it's all personal preferance. If you like what you hear, stick with it.

Ok!

 

[Buck Laughlin]

Oh!!!
Woa! thats pretty cool!!!
I like rovners (now that i know what they are) even if they do dampen the sound alot.

Right on, JT! I don't like Rovners, but I like a guy who isn't afraid to make his own decisions. Don't be a sheep or a parrot. Do what you like, and like what you do.

 

[musiciscool]

Has anyone tried duct tape? Only downside I can think of is the residue....

 

[Buck Laughlin]

Has anyone tried duct tape? Only downside I can think of is the residue....

You might be on to something.
You could add it to this list: http://www.thezac.com/ducttape/

And check out these sites for inspiration:
http://www.ducttapeguys.com/
http://www.ducttapefashion.com/

 

[soprano]

Has anyone tried duct tape? Only downside I can think of is the residue....

Yes, I had tried it. Good