Do sax ligatures make a difference?

Yes. A decent ligature can make a sizeable difference to your sound and responsiveness from your reed and mouthpiece. When comparing between a basic brass ligature and any of the more premium products, the difference you can feel in both playability and comfortability is staggering.

Does the ligature matter?

The answer is YES. The vibrations between the mouthpiece, the ligature and the reed make the notes easier, cleaner and faster to articulate. The ligature helps the musician to articulate the notes.

Are leather ligatures better?

Optimum Ligature: the Optimum ligature is a great choice for both clarinet and saxophone. Leather Ligature: The leather ligature works well for clarinets and saxophones alike as it allows your students to create a mellow blend.

How tight should ligature be?

Tight enough to stop it wandering, but not so tight it stops the reed vibrating. If you have the ligature in a frontal position towards the tip of the mouthpiece and tighten it too much it can strangle the reed and kill the tone. It’s important that the reed stays where you put it.

How important is the saxophone 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.

Why do ligatures matter?

This ligature provides an excellent grip with very little tightening required. You can tighten this screw with just a very small amount of pressure and it still holds the reed on there well without ever slipping. It also fits a much wider range of mouthpieces.

What is ligature saxophone?

The ligature is a small but vital part of the saxophone, attaching the reed to the mouthpiece. What is this? Report Ad. The flat butt of the reed is pressed against the flat underside of the mouthpiece – sometimes known as the table – allowing the reed’s tip to vibrate, thus producing a sound.

What reed is best for alto sax?

The best reed for beginner saxophone is a size 2 or size 2.5 reed. Most beginners start with Rico, Rico Royal, or Vandoren Brand Saxophone Reeds. Your teacher will usually recommend one of these types of reeds to start with. Reed sizes vary in half measures from 1.5 to 4.

Can you use a clarinet ligature on a saxophone?

Sometimes you may even need to get a ligature for another instrument to fit your mouthpiece. For example, I use a clarinet ligature on a particularly small alto sax mouthpiece, and a tenor ligature on one of my baritone sax mouthpieces.

What is a good beginner saxophone?

Most beginner altos feature keys with a loose action that promote ease of movement between notes. Among major manufacturers, Yamaha produces a dandy of an option. The Yamaha YAS-280 is widely considered the best beginner alto saxophone on the market.

Is tenor saxophone the same as an alto saxophone?

In the saxophone family, alto saxophone and tenor saxophone share the same fingerings and names of notes, but the sounding pitches differ. The alto saxophone is pitched in Eb, while the tenor saxophone is pitched in Bb.

What is the price of a tenor saxophone?

Tenor saxophones can range from $750 to as much as $8,000; however, most purchases will be within the $1,100 to $3,200 price range. An Alto saxophone, which is ideal for both students and for those who are on an intermediate level, can cost anywhere from $250 to $5,000.

What is a professional sax?

Professional. These saxophones are finely constructed instruments that are designed with the best players in mind. Intonation discrepancies are nonexistent, the instrument itself is thicker and heavier, and you will have a wider choice of finishes. Additionally, it is important to note that the better the instrument, the better the case.