Reviews

If you have been playing saxophone long enough, you are probably well aware of the age-old debate regarding a ligature. 

Does it affect the sound? Does it change anything? 

Many experts believe that a ligature can change the sound while others think the differences are so small that there is no chance anyone could tell. We have done our research and pondering on this topic. At Westcoast Sax, we take sound pretty seriously. Read on to find out where we stand on this debate. 

A ligature is used to secure a reed to a single reed instrument like a saxophone or a clarinet. Although the reed must remain firm on the instrument, it must also be allowed to vibrate. 

Traditional saxophone ligatures are made of brass. These are now considered to be the standard model but not necessarily the best. Other options you have for a ligature include wire, plastic, wood, string, and leather. 

A ligature has a direct effect on the reed of a saxophone mouthpiece. Depending on the material of the ligature and the connection it makes with the reed, there will be variations for a musician. 

If a perfectly good reed sits well on the saxophone mouthpiece and the ligature is secured for proper vibration, it should not affect the sound much. However, if you have a reed that is warped or does not sit properly, there will be a broad range in sound. 

If you are new to the saxophone world and want to prove this point to yourself, you can conduct a simple test. Set up with your current mouthpiece/ligature/reed and make sure it fits as it should. Play with that setup for a bit and record the sound if you feel it is the best way to know for sure. Then, replace that ligature with a different type, try something new that you think may help your sound. When you install the new ligature, make sure it fits perfectly in place. After switching the ligature, try playing again and see if there is a change in sound. With perfect reeds, sitting correctly, there should be very little change in the sound. 

If you were to upgrade from a low-cost reed to a premium version, you might notice a difference in the fit and the ability for the reed to vibrate. The way the ligature secures the reed on the instrument can affect the sound when there are problems. 

If you think that a new ligature will hurt or help your sound, you probably won’t notice much of a difference. If you are having trouble getting the reed to sit correctly and vibrate enough using your current ligature, then you could see a tremendous difference. Most of the time, a ligature will affect the sound when it comes to a reed that is warped or damaged. Outside of that, the ligature you choose will mostly be personal preference.