Proper Ligature Placement on the Clarinet
Ligatures play an important role in any clarinetist’s life – they hold the reed on the mouthpiece!
But did you know that ligature placement can affect your sound and response? Read on for more photos and information to ensure you are using proper ligature placement while playing clarinet.
(Before continuing, you should check out my Complete Guide to Clarinet Ligatures. I’ve also linked other relevant articles at the bottom of this one.)
Proper ligature placement
The ligature should be placed under the filed or unfiled portion of the reed. (Pro tip: An easy way to differentiate the two is that unfiled have the U-shape, so you can remember U for unfiled. Filed cut reeds have a straight line across the middle of the reed. Look below to see photos of both.)
Why does the ligature’s placement matter? If your ligature is too high up (or too far down), it can stifle the reed, which doesn’t allow the entire cane to vibrate freely. This will still produce a sound, but it will be dampened and not as lively.
Like so much else for clarinet (and music in general), placement is personal. These are general guidelines, but I suggest experimenting with your reeds and ligature to find the best positioning to create your richest sound. Keep in mind that this might change slightly from reed to reed, as each reed will respond differently. (Learn more about clarinet reeds with my Complete Guide to Clarinet Reeds.)
Photo examples
As you can see in the photos above, the ligature should be placed slightly below the filed/unfiled cut on the reed. I’ve used two different ligatures to demonstrate (the M/O is an inverted ligature, and the Optimum is a traditional ligature). The final photo shows an incorrect ligature placement on the reed.
How tight should the ligature be?
This is another common question I receive. You should fully tighten the ligature until the screws aren’t loose. (You can tell if the screws are loose if they move when you touch them, or if the ligature moves around on your mouthpiece.) You shouldn’t clamp the mouthpiece by over-tightening the ligature, as this will stifle the reed’s vibrations. The key here is to find a snug fit – not tight! Think of tying your shoes: you want them to be snug to stay on your feet, but too tight and you’ll be in some pain!
I hope these photos and explanation help! Here are some other related articles you might find interesting: