Saxophone LigaturesA useful clip from the YOU CAN PLAY TOO! Tuition DVD presented by Jim CheekThe ligature is the part of the saxophone that fixes the reed to the mouthpiece. All mouthpieces usually come with a standard metal ligature which is very basic and offers little or no enhancement to tone production. It is vitally important that the reed is fixed as flat and securely as possible on the mouthpiece table. The sound can be improved significantly with a good quality ligature without having to break the bank! Four of the best makes are Rovner, BG, Vandoren, & Francois Louis. They make many varieties of ligature that each have different sonic characteristics. Rovner ligatures are made of a fabric which wraps around the reed and mouthpiece, permitting the reed to vibrate more freely. BG ligatures work on a similar principle but have different materials that fix onto the reed. Both makes really enhance the sound, can improve intonation, reduce fatigue when tonguing notes, reduce squeaks and clean up the tone. A good ligature can also prolong the life of your reeds, as the reed remains flexible and has room to breathe. |
