There are many options available on the market when it comes to saxophone ligatures, and each one can impact the sound in its own way. Let’s explore things to consider when selecting a ligature and reasons why it’s important to approach the choice responsibly.
What a Ligature Is and What it Can Do for Your Sound
Ligatures are small devices that hold the reed onto the mouthpiece. They ensure that the reed stays firmly in place and vibrates freely while you play your saxophone. Saxophone mouthpieces vary in diameter and shapes, and therefore require different ligatures to fit them.
When browsing saxophone ligatures on the internet, you can come across several types:
- Metal ligatures in brass, gold-plated, and silver-plated finishes, which are believed to provide a bright and focused sound and frequently used by jazz, rock, and pop saxophonists.
- Fabric and leather ligatures offer warmer, darker tones, with flexible and quick release that are widely used by musicians playing classical and jazz styles.
- Hybrid ligatures featuring elements of metal and fabric materials, which result in a balanced sound.
- Synthetic leather ligatures offering warmer but less dark sound compared to genuine leather that are valued by musicians who seek devices at affordable prices.
How to Choose a Saxophone Ligature
Here is a quick checklist of things you should consider when choosing a saxophone ligature:
- Does it feature a well-made construction? Well-made construction helps the ligature withstand repeated installation and removal.
- Will it serve for a long time? The material should be reliable enough to hold the reed securely for a long time, while remaining in a good working condition.
- Is it suitable for a range of mouthpieces? This will prevent you from needing to buy a new one just because the diameter of a new mouthpiece changes slightly.
- Is it easy to install? You shouldn't need extra force to put your ligature on or take it off.
- Does it have a well-made cap? It should be easy to install so that you could even put it on in the dark without damaging a reed.
- Is it equipped with a tightening screw? The screw helps the reed stay firmly fixed.
- Does it look appealing? This is more like a bonus, which boosts your saxophone appearance but it still matters for saxophonists who appreciate aesthetic aspects.
However the most crucial thing that you shouldn’t forget when buying a ligature is whether it reliably holds the reed onto your mouthpiece.
When looking for ligatures in a local music store or online also consider the following aspects:
- Playing Style. Some musicians prefer pure brass ligatures, which may result in a more direct sound with a greater stability, others prefer fabric and leather ligatures. As a jazz musician you likely need a metal ligature for a slight brightness. However you can’t decide on what is right for you unless you try various models.
- Mouthpiece. Ensure that the ligature you choose is compatible with your mouthpiece, offering a secure fit.
- Embouchure. It’s important to test a few products to find the one that complements your embouchure the best.
Things You Should Avoid When Choosing a Ligature
Let’s make a quick list of things that saxophonists don’t like in ligatures to help you make a reasonable choice.
- Poorly finished metal plates. Sometimes plates that hold the reed onto the mouthpiece leave scratches on the mouthpiece table because of unfinished metal. While you can fix this problem with sandpaper and smooth out the rough edges of the plate, it remains a serious drawback.
- Bad grip. Because of the bad grip the reed may budge forcing you to overtighten it.
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Quickly wearing out. Some ligatures wear out after a year of use so much that they can no longer hold the reed securely on the mouthpiece and even slip off. Keep in mind that such ligatures don’t necessarily cost cheap.
One Important Truth About the Ligature: How It Really Affects Your Playing
While you may feel skeptical about all the promises of manufacturers, which you read in the product description, what ligature definitely does is affect how the player feels while practicing or performing on the stage. If the ligature doesn’t provide a secure hold of the reed, the player will definitely feel a kind of alarm, which leads to lack of confidence. All those feelings transform into the performance.
The truth is if your setup is secure you also feel secure about your playing. And if you worry every time you play a b-flat or a solo, you can’t get the best out of your saxophone.
Maybe the ligatures aren't a magic tool to change your sound, but they really change your own perception and how you feel as a musician. Well-designed ligatures with a secure hold lead to a positive outcome.
Conclusion
A properly selected ligature really makes a difference in a saxophone’s sound, but what’s more it has an even greater impact on how the saxophonist feels while playing. With a reliably fixed reed on the mouthpiece, the player is more concentrated on music and the state of flow rather than worrying about discomfort.
Today’s market offers multiple options of ligatures, varying in materials and finishes, but to select the one for you, you should consider its construction, material, tightening screws, and your own preferences.
In this article we’ve mentioned the reed as an essential part of your saxophone. Feel free to check our article on How to Choose the Right Saxophone Reed.
Regardless of your skill level, we have plenty of products and upgrades for your sax in our section of Premium Saxophone Accessories for All Models.