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WOODWIND & BRASS LTD

Ligatures

Ligatures and what they do...

The generic definition of a ligature goes something like this:

The act of tying or binding; a cord, wire, or bandage used for tying or binding; a thread, wire, or cord used in surgery to close vessels or tie off ducts; something that unites; a bond.

In musical instrument terminology it is something like this: A metal band that attaches the reed to the mouthpiece of the clarinet and related instruments.

Although of course it doesn't in fact have to be metal. Simply put, a ligature holds the reed on to the mouthpiece of single reed instruments (clarinet and saxophone). Sound is produced see MOUTHPIECE INFORMATION via the vibration of the reed against the mouthpiece, so as well as all the variable such as reed strength and file, mouthpiece material, facing and tip opening... We now also have ligature. There are no definitive answers as to which is the right one for you. Trial and error might be the best way to tell. In basic terms, the "heavier" the ligature, the more it comes into contact with the reed and mouthpiece, the "darker" the sound. And the reverse, the Rovner light ligatures, for instance, which, just to confuse matters, are made of fabric, have the large portion at the back cut out creating much less reed contact between reed and mouthpiece, so freer vibrations and a "lighter" sound.

As well as fabric and leather, ligatures are usually made out of brass but then finished in different materials - normally nickel. Vandoren mouthpieces are gilded but there is more information on them below.

Vandoren Optimum Ligatures - Information

Precise and rapid tightening; a unique double-track screw mechanism tightens both sides of the ligature equally; Vertical and symmetrical tightening: Adjusts easily on the mouthpiece; the reed remains exactly in place; neither reed nor ligature are compressed at the sides; A unique vented cap allows reeds to dry quickly. Easily adjusts for any situation: 3 interchangable pressure plates adjust to the sound, style and music being performed; The collar around the mouthpiece remains independent of the area in contact with the reed, allowing the vibrations of the reed to develop without interference.

Vandoren Ligature Pressure Plates - Three Different Plates

Plate 1:;A rich, colourful sonority which produces great resonance; pressure along the fibre of the reed facilitates an unbelievable blowing ease; incredible ease of articulation; Plate 2:A more compact, centred sonority, smooth even sound and extraordinary blowing ease; Plate 3:The reed vibrates in total freedom, producing a very flexible sound; greater ease of expression.

Ligature Information

Rovner

Rovner Ligatures are some of the finest ligatures available. Woodwind & Brass Ltd. carries a huge range of Rovner ligatures for every instrument, and every playing style.

30 years ago, Rovner was the first manufacturer to patent a non-traditional ligature of this type. All four Rovner models (Light, Dark, Custom MrkIII and Eddie Daniels) are free playing and responsive, help improve intonation, ease of playing, control and accuracy and give more even scales. Rovner ligatures are also known to extend reed life...

Rovner ligatures hold the reed gently against the mouthpiece with no pressure points - thus there are no rigid constraints on the reed, the reed seats evenly to the facing of the mouthpiece reducing stiffness and increasing tonal clarity. Rovner ligatures are also thought to improve reed playability; reeds which are unplayable on other ligatures will often perform well with the Rovner. Extention of reed life is also a feature - unlike most traditional ligatures, the cane fibres of the reed do not get "hammered" during vibration, but last and last...

Saxophone Ligatures - Rubber Mouthpiece Rovner Ligature Chart

**ROVNER LIGATURE TABLE - SAXOPHONE LIGATURES FOR RUBBER MOUTHPIECES**
MOUTHPIECE	SOPRANO SAXOPHONE RUBBER	ALTO SAXOPHONE RUBBER	TENOR SAXOPHONE RUBBER	BARITONE SAXOPHONE RUBBER	BASS SAXOPHONE RUBBER
Standard	1RVS, L3, C-1RVS, 1RVS-EDII	1RL, L6, C-1RL, 1RL-EDII	2R, L8, C-2R, 2R-EDII	3R, L9, C-3R, 3R-EDII	4R
Bari	Standard	Standard	Standard	-	-
Beechler	Standard	Standard	Standard	-	-
Claude Lakey	-	Standard	Standard	-	-
Berg Larsen	Standard	Standard	1RL, L6, C-1RL, 1RLT-EDII	2RBL	-
Otto Link	Standard	Standard	Standard	2R, L8, C-2R, 2R-EDII	-
Meyer	3ML, L13, C-3ML, 3MLT-EDII	3ML, L13, C-3ML, 3MLT-EDII	3ML, L13, C-3ML, 3MLT-EDII	2R, L8, C-2R, 2R-EDII	3ML, L13, C-3ML, 3MLT-EDII
Rico Royal	Standard	Standard	Standard	2R, L8, C-2R, 2R-EDII	Standard
Selmer	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard
Vandoren	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard	-
Yamaha	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard	-
Yanagisawa	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard	-

Saxophone Ligatures - Metal Mouthpiece Rovner Ligature Chart

**ROVNER LIGATURE TABLE - FOR METAL SAXOPHONE MOUTHPIECES**
MOUTHPIECE	SOPRANO SAXOPHONE METAL	ALTO SAXOPHONE METAL	TENOR SAXOPHONE METAL	BARITONE SAXOPHONE METAL
Standard	-	1M, L11, C-1M, 1MA-EDII	2M, L12, C-2M, 2MT-EDII	3ML, L13, C3ML, 3ML-EDII
Bari	-	1-MB	1M, L11, C-1M, 1MT-EDII	-
Beechler	1MVS	1MB	3ML, L13, C-3M, 3MLT-EDII	1M, L11, C-1M, 1MT-EDII
Dukoff	1MD	2M, L12, C-2M, 2MA-EDII	Standard	L14
Guardala	1MVS	Standard	Standard	-
Berg Larsen	-	Standard	Standard	Standard
Lawton	-	-	3ML, L13, C-3ML, 3MLT-EDII	Standard
Otto Link	1MVS	3ML, L13, C-3ML, 2MA-EDII	3ML, L13, C-3ML, 3MLT-EDII	3MVL, 1RLT-EDII
Meyer	-	3ML, L13, C-3ML, 3MLT-EDII	3ML, L13, C-3ML, 3MLT-EDII	2M, L12, C-2M, 2MT-EDII
Rico Royal	-	Standard	Standard	2M, L12, C-2M, 2MT-EDII
Selmer	1MS, L2	Standard	Standard	Standard
Vandoren	-	-	3ML, L13, C-3ML, 3MLT-EDII	2M, L12, C-2M, 2MT-EDII
Yanagisawa	1MVS	2M, L12, C-2M, 2MA-EDII	Standard	Standard

Clarinet Ligatures - Rovner Ligature Chart

**ROVNER LIGATURE TABLE - CLARINET LIGATURES**
Bb Clarinet	1R, L5, C-1R, 1R-EDII
Alto Clarinet	2RS, L7
Eb Clarinet	1E, L4, C-1E, 1E-EDII
Bass Clarinet	3RL, L10, C-3RL, 3RL-EDII
Contra Bass Clarinet	4RL

Rovner Dark Ligatures

The Rovner Dark Ligature assists in producing a full, centered tone. One can compare the results of this ligature with the age-old technology of the string ligature. Enjoyed especially by classical performers for its warm sound, the Rovner Dark is the top selling ligature

Rovner Light Ligatures

The Rovner Light Ligature is designed for the player who desires a more contemporary style of playing. The ligature assists the performer in seeking a more responsive and free playing sound. Jazz musicians especially appreciate this fact, allowing them the opportinity to concentrate more on their music.

Rovner Eddie Daniels II Ligatures

The Rovner Eddie Daniels II Signature Ligature is like no other ligature in the world. Designed by Eddie Daniels and Phil Rovner as a professional ligature for both clarinet and saxophone players. This ligature features a metal cradle which can be altered to create SIX different tones.

The ligature is not designed to be inverted. In all positions, the cradle is designed to sit on the reed, and the screw will tighten against the mouthpiece.

The versitlity of this ligature provides the performer with complete tonal control and accurate intonation throughout all registers.

Rovner Custom MkIII Ligatures

The Rovner Custom Mark III Ligature is a premium ligature giving greater weight and substance to the tone in comparison to the light and dark models.

Rovner Evolution Ligatures

The EVO-5 ligature includes all the attributes of current Rovner models, such as precise intonation, unmatched control, ease of playing, and a crisp, clear, full tone.

In addition to those standard qualities, the EVO-5 Ligature includes a simple, reversible design - allowing for six different tones.

Quite simply, this ligature provides amazing flexibility, while maintaining the highest performance standards that have come to be expected from a Rovner.

Vandoren Clarinet Ligatures - Optimum and Master

Rovner Clarinet Ligatures

Basic Clarinet Ligatures

Vandoren Saxophone Ligatures

Rovner Saxophone Ligatures

Basic Saxophone Ligatures

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