Vandoren Optimum Ligature & Cap for Bb Clarinet

I’m still a relatively beginner self-taught player, and I’ve been struggling off and on for many years trying to get a smooth tone without squeaks or hisses. I thought the problem was me just not being good enough, maybe a weak embouchure or something to do with my breathing, or a bad habit that I’ve developed without knowing it.

I noticed that many clarinetists were using funny-looking ligatures, so I started to read up about them and came across these reviews on Amazon. I was going to buy a cheaper Rovner ligature, but I was directed to the Optimum ligature by one of the (professional) clarinet reviewers. Although it’s a lot pricier, I thought I’d give it a try.

OK, so my playing didn’t improve immediately, but I did notice an immediately change in the character of the sound, it was A LOT brighter, I kind of had to reign in my blowing. It certainly was so much easier to blow and get a nice sound, but I seemed to produce far more squeaks than before. The fact that the single screw makes it so much easier to adjust and try out different reed positions is a minor but important bonus.

Then I played around with different reeds and reed strengths, not to mention preparing the reeds properly. It took me about a week to get used to the slightly different way of playing and to figure out which reed to use (the reed I used on my regular mouthpiece seemed to play too harshly with the Optimum ligature).

Now, with the Optimum ligature and the right reed in the right position, I’m finding that I can actually play the clarinet quite well. I’m getting those lovely soft tones in both registers, and I can easily step across the break (before it seemed like a “leap”). And I’m also finding that I because don’t have to focus so much on blowing and getting the sound and tone right, my finger work seems to be more flowing. I can tackle music with leaps and flats and sharps and key changes that seemed insurmountable before.

So it wasn’t me after all! It really does make a difference to upgrade the technology of the instrument itself. No doubt a better clarinetist will be able to adjust for the more “sluggish” feel of a simpler, plainer instrument – but as a beginner, this product provides a great leg up. Highly recommended.

As for the plastic cap, it does state this in the description – but the image is highly misleading. CHANGE IT AMAZON! I looked up the price of a silver-plated cap and it costs nearly as much as the ligature itself! It obviously doesn’t make any difference to the music, so it’s not important. However, the plastic cap doesn’t quite seem to fit snugly. You have to push it down over the ligature so that the “legs” stretch slightly. But it’s just a protective cover after all, so no big deal.

The Vandoren Optimum Premium Ligature was strongly recommended to me by my Clarinet private instructor as he also uses this very ligature. I saw some reviews on Amazon talking about the 3 different pressure plates for the ligature I was excited to see what I will sound like. Shipping was extremely fast and when I say fast I mean 3 days on free shipping. wow. The Ligature comes very neatly packed in its own box with the logo’s on the side and whatnot. The box inside has a pamphlet describing each of the 3 pressure plates individually in full depth. The Ligature is very nicely placed inside a brown plastic non-corrosive bag to protect the silver plating on the ligature. When I opened the bad the shiny ligature was carefully placed inside a plastic mouthpiece cover. I must say, when I took the ligature out is was and looked very very very well made, all the parts are of the finest quality (Before hand questioning this $71.00 product to see if it was worth the $). The ligature comes with three different plates. Wow. When I played on my clarinet (R-13) I was so stunned I didn’t know if It was me who was playing or not it was so good! This ligature really makes the reed vibrating freely and evenly number 1 priority. It’s so easy blowing but still maintains the same color and darkness a clarinetist strives for. Let me tell you now, This ligature is basically 3 different amazing ligatures all in one with these pressure plates, Each has a very distinct difference of sound, it’s so awesome. No need to buy any other ligature, THIS IS THE ONE TO GET. Not only does it play absolutely beautifully, but it looks really cool too! This ligature is a MUST HAVE for any Sax or Clarinet player, you will sound 100% better than you originally have and you will know it the first time you play a note! Don’t mind the money, it’s worth every single penny no joke hands down the very best ligature out there on the market today. I would recommend this to the intermediate player through Professional musicians. Hope this helped, Happy playing 🙂

La hemos comprado por recomendación del profesor de clarinete de mi hija ya que la suya no ajustaba bien. Vandoren es una marca conocida y valorada.
Junto con la abrazadera viene el capuchón adaptado a la forma de la abrazadera y 2 piezas para ajustarla a las necesidades de la boquilla.
Es una marca que conocemos ya que usamos su grasa y sus cañas.
Satisfechos.

I’m still getting back into my clarinet playing after a long haitus from my high school days. I was decent back then. Of course, you go back to your original equipment as best as you can and make adjustments from there.

I really miss my old Eddie Daniels Rovner ligature – no, not the version that became the Versa (I have that one) – the one before that with the plastic rails on the inside and two metal end plates on the leather tabs. I can’t find that one anywhere and I’ve been looking!

I was disappointed with the response I got on the Versa, despite the slightly higher ratings than the Optimum. But being so long since I played, I wondered if it was me or not.

I decided to spring for the Optimum the other day… and I have to agree that it is AMAZING! Now, understanding WHY it’s amazing is key. I uploaded that pic that NO ONE ELSE is sharing. Yes, that’s “plate 1” on it and it barely touches the reed while you have the tightening screw that pulls it together from both sides. Simply amazing engineering! Notice how much it goes around the reed and above the mouthpiece. I think that really helps with the reed vibration.

I play on a Vandoren M15 (profile 88, but non-13) mouthpiece and the ligature barely fits on it in the case. Yes, I read that you’re supposed to store it in the anti-tarnishing bag it comes in, but I find it interesting how loose it is on their own mouthpiece. I have a Ridenour Homage mouthpiece and it’s not as loose on it.

Only one downside: I have facial hair and every once in a while a whisker gets caught in the screw mechanism. lol.

Ligatures seem trivial until they’re not and they accentuate everything you do. Glad I got this. The reviews here convinced me!