Discover the key role that the ligature plays on your instrument and your sound in general.
Musicians often ask: can a ligature really influence the sound of my instrument? Can a small piece of metal or fabric change the color or projection of the sound?
The answer is YES. Sound is generated by the vibrations of the mouthpiece and reed, so by bringing them together, the ligature is a key element. The vibrations between the mouthpiece, ligature, and reed make the notes more or less smooth, clean, and quicker to articulate.
Therefore, the ligature helps the musician articulate these notes.
The material (metal or fabric), its density, plating, pressure point on the reed, and many other factors are crucial when it comes to the color of the sound and its projection. Just make a simple comparison: if we hit our leg with our hand, we will create a dull sound; if we hit a table with our hand, we will create a clearer, brighter sound. The same thing happens when talking about the relationship between the ligature and the sound we will obtain. Fabric ligature offers a rounder sound, while metal ligature helps us achieve a louder volume and projection.
Choosing your ligature:
- Play music that you know well with your own ligature first to create your sound reference in the room where you are testing.
- Under the same conditions, change only one parameter or component at a time and test the new ligature for smoothness in transition between registers, consistent volume, and its sound quality in the lower, middle, and upper ranges.
- At the same time, listen for the subtle differences when playing pianissimo and fortissimo passages.
- Test how easily you can play staccato.
If possible, it is always better to play test with another player who knows your regular sound and can assist you to appreciate the following 3 key points: a.) How you feel while playing b.) what you hear when you play and c.) what the audience hears.
Try various ligature models. Different types of ligatures meet differing requirements.
« The best ligature is the one that suits you »
- Franck Bichon
Today, musicians must have more than one ligature because they will have different needs depending on the piece to be played or the venue they are in.
It is not the same to play in a small room or in a large concert hall. The needs of a soloist differ depending on whether they play alone or in an orchestra, jazz, or classical music.
Each BG ligature provides a different sound depending on the situation and music style.
Choosing the ligature will depend on the sound the musician desires, the music they play, and the venue where the concert will take place. BG has been studying the acoustics and mechanical behavior of materials since 1985. Over 200 tests have been conducted to define the composition of the 2 fabrics of BG ligatures.
BG ligatures offer a homogeneous sound in all registers.
Today, all musicians need to have more than one ligature because each ligature satisfies specific needs.
An appropriate ligature for every situation:
Every musician should have multiple ligatures because each BG ligature offers a different sound for each situation and music style.
In fabric ligatures, the presence of a metal plate increases brightness and sound projection. The presence of a rubberized plate adds roundness and warmth to the sound. Each ligature satisfies a specific need.
Metallic ligatures are perfect for large concert halls and for soloists who need a more expansive sound. Gold plating adds more warmth and roundness to the sound. Fabric ligatures are recommended for small rooms or when seeking a more intimate sound. They are perfect for chamber music.
It is recommended for a musician who normally uses metal ligatures to switch to fabric ligatures when:
- Playing in smaller rooms
- Seeking a more intimate sound
It is recommended for a musician who normally uses fabric ligatures to switch to metal ligatures when:
- Playing in larger halls
- Needs more volume and projection