Does ligature affect sound?

The answer is YES. The sound is generated through the vibrations both of the mouthpiece and the reed, therefore the ligature is a key piece holding both together. The vibrations between the mouthpiece, the ligature and the reed make the notes easier, cleaner and faster to articulate.

Do saxophone ligatures matter?

You’ll be fine with that for a LONG time. Ligature matters much less than mouthpiece, reed, and horn. There is a difference with some ligatures, but the other issues are more important. In 3 years, think about experimenting with a new lig.

How tight should a saxophone ligature be?

Registered. Tight enough to keep the reed from moving while adjusting the mouthpiece, not so tight that it damages the reed or ligature.

What does a ligature do on a sax?

What’s a Ligature? For those who are new to the saxophone, the ligature is the device which holds the reed onto the mouthpiece. To work properly, the saxophone ligature must secure the reed firmly against the mouthpiece while at the same time allowing it to vibrate freely which creates the saxophone’s sound.

How do I choose a ligature for a saxophone?

You can find ligatures with metal plates at the reed’s point of contact, cut outs in the band of fabric where the reed is held, and simple designs with full contact all the way around the mouthpiece and reed. The darkest sounding is a solid band due to constant points of contact on the reed from the fabric.

Does the ligature make a difference?

One of the questions I am frequently asked by my students and at masterclasses is whether ligatures really do make a difference. The simple answer is yes, they do.

Does mouthpiece affect saxophone?

The saxophone is a wind instrument, so from an acoustic point of view, the material of the different components (including the mouthpiece) has no effect on the sound. In fact, it’s the internal geometry of the bore which is most important.

What is the difference between saxophone mouthpieces?

For sax mouthpieces the common rule is that softer materials produce a darker sound with less projection, while harder materials just the opposite (brighter and more projection). From plastics to metal though, you have a wide range of options to choose from, allowing you to truly customize your sound.

How long do sax mouthpieces last?

In general, mouthpieces DO wear down over time due to the normal wear and tear that it is subject to during performance, as well as breakdown from saliva. Even the reed vibration alone is enough to, over time, physically change a mouthpiece. On average, regular players seem to notice these changes after 2-3 years.

What note should a tenor sax mouthpiece play?

G.
Play the Mouthpiece Alone For tenor, the concert pitch is G. On baritone, the pitch is concert D and, for soprano, C above the staff. Note that the same pitch can be produced on the soprano and the clarinet mouthpieces.

How do I choose a tenor saxophone mouthpiece?

Can you use bass clarinet reeds on tenor sax?

Bass clarinet reed for the sax? Bass clarinet reeds work for tenor saxophones. The bass clarinet reeds are slightly shorter and have a larger heart which helps the altissimo range of the tenor sax stay consistent and clear. This is helpful because this range of the tenor sax tends to cut out.