Your saxophone is an investment. So every time you play, you want to make sure all of your hard work is being transferred to the audience. And if you’re not using a saxophone ligature, you’re not fully realizing the full potential of your sax.
Read on to learn more about the best saxophone ligatures.
Our Editor’s Best Alto Saxophone Ligatures Reviews
- Made of artificial leather.
- Durable and works well.
- Comes with a pretty sound.
- Designed for alto saxophone with bakelite mouthpiece.
- Made of artificial leather
- Brass finish for a gold look
- 2 screws for even tightening
- Made in USA
- Designed to fit Yamaha alto sax mouthpieces
- Will fit most standard mouthpiece brands
- DARK LIGATURE. Great for players seeking an easy-to-use, multi-genre ligature. This is considered the "go-to" ligature for music educators.
- DARK WARM AND CENTERED SOUND: The Dark Ligature provides warm and resonant sound and assists in producing a full, centered tone designed for many musicians.
- DURABILITY & LONGEVITY: Rovner's flexible and durable construction ensures ease of installation, a secure & adjustable fit with fastener, and long-lasting performance for all musicians.
- INCLUDES PROTECTIVE CAP: Protect your ligature with the included plastic cap to safeguard it from elements and damage when you are not using it.
- COMPATIBILTY & VERSATILITY: We offer a variety of woodwind ligatures to fit various clarinets and saxophones helping all woodwind players achieve the sound and comfort they are looking for.
- Lightweight
- Easy to set up
- Quick and symmetrical tightening with a unique double-track screw mechanism
- Inverted tightening with only two small contact points on the reed
- Quick and precise tightening
- Expression with freedom
- Pressure plates and cap available as replacements
- Achieve comfotability in dynamics and tone production in the entire range
- Keeps the reed firm on mouthpiece table
- The metal buckle of sax mouthpiece ligature can quick and precise to fasten mouthpiece, Great protection for your mouthpiece
- Our saxophone ligature with 2 adjustable screw, help to adjust the diameter easily
- Gold-plated brass, smooth surface and elegant look
- Packaged in a small box, avoid it was crushed into misshapen, Great for beginners and marching band
- Universal ligature to compatible with most model of alto saxophone mouthpiece
- MKIII LIGATURE. Often selected by concert band/orchestra players but is great for a variety of genres and play settings.
- DARK, WARM AND HEFTY TONE. Similar to the Dark, but responds with a heftier tone. A premium ligature that gives greater weight and tonal substance than either the Light or Dark
- DURABILITY & LONGEVITY. Rovner's flexible and durable construction ensures ease of installation, a secure & adjustable fit with fastener, and long-lasting performance for all musicians.
- COMPATIBILTY & VERSATILITY. We offer a variety of woodwind ligatures to fit various clarinets and saxophones helping all woodwind players achieve the sound and comfort they are looking for.
- INCLUDES PROTECTIVE CAP. Protect your ligature with the included plastic cap to safeguard it from elements and damage when you are not using it.
- Premium Quality: Our EASTROCK alto saxophone ligature is made of high-quality leather, ensuring excellent craftsmanship and durability. It is easy to install and remove, making it the perfect accessory for your saxophone
- Easy to Use: The alto sax leather ligature can make the reed fit perfectly on the mouthpiece. It features an adjustable ligation screw, allowing quick and precise tightening, ensuring a responsive performance, enhancing your playing experience
- Universal Size: Our sax ligature is universally compatible with standard size alto saxophone mouthpieces, catering to the needs of most saxophonists
- Wide Application: Suitable for concerts, band performances, personal exercises and band rehearsals. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced musician, you can choose our mouthpiece ligature and enjoy your musical journey
- Perfect Gift: Whether for your friend or yourself, this saxophone ligature is a perfect gift and an excellent choice for saxophone enthusiasts. It is thoughtfully crafted to bring joy and inspiration to saxophone players
The gold-plated H-Ligature & Cap for Alto Sax was conceived as a "retro" version of the famous Harrison ligature, used by many of the worlds greatest clarinetists and saxophonists. Rico's H-ligature offers all of the sought-after features of the popular Harrison design, and each comes with Rico's unique mouthpiece cap, made of soft, overmolded plastic.
H-Ligatures feature a four-point system, which applies equal pressure to the reed. The H-ligature holds the reed firmly to the table of the mouthpiece, assuring better contact, and therefore reducing leaks along the side rails. Additional support has been added to the ligature brackets to increase durability. H-ligatures feature a two-screw, inverted design. Each H-ligature includes Rico's unique mouthpiece cap.
Since the acquisition of Rico by D'Addario & Co., Rico has strengthened its position as the global leader in woodwind reeds and accessories. Rico's state-of-the-art reed research center in Southern California employs a collaboration of agronomists, scientists, and musicians to produce top-quality reeds, including Rico Reserve premium reeds for clarinet and saxophone. Rico reeds are designed to benefit all levels of musicians, from the beginner to the seasoned professional. Many of the world's finest woodwind players perform with Rico reeds, such as Mark Nuccio, Jerry Bergonzi, Chris Potter, Benny Golson, Ernie Watts, Bob Sheppard, Henri Bok, Richie Hawley, Eric Alexander, and many more.
- Gold-plated
- Includes mouthpiece cap
- Four-point "H" system applies equal pressure
- Two-screw, inverted design
Best Alto Saxophone Ligatures Buying Guide
Before choosing the best alto saxophone ligatures you should consider following options:
1. Tone Production: To begin with, the ligature should aid in securing the reed and mouthpiece. The main aim of the ligature is to aid in tone production.
It is mandatory to have a high-quality ligature that will enhance the tonal quality of the saxophone. The wrong ligature could have a negative impact on the overall tone of the saxophone.
The tone produced will vary with the type of ligature you have. The materials used to make the ligature also make a difference with regards to the sound.
Aluminum and rubber are commonly used as the main materials used in making ligatures. The standard ones are made from aluminum.
If you are looking for enhanced tonal quality, then opt for a leather or rubber ligature. They increase resistance and enhance the tone. Nylon or rubber-coated ones are perfect for those who produce softer sounds.
2. Durability: A good saxophone ligature should be long-lasting. If not, then you are just throwing your hard-earned money down the drain.
The material used, the quality of the material, and the overall design all contribute to the longevity of the ligature.
It is important to invest in a ligature that will last you for a long time. Otherwise, you will be replacing it every few months.
Look for a ligature that has a sturdy body and a quality-made rubber band. The material used should be resistant to wear and tear.
3. Ease of Use: This is another crucial factor that you need to keep in mind. The ligature should be easy to use.
There are a variety of options available in the market, and some are easier to use than the others. Look for a ligature that will allow you to change the reed faster.
If you can change the reed faster, then you can use the reed for a longer period of time. The ease of use will help you in a variety of ways.
What else you should know about alto saxophone ligatures
1) What are alto saxophone ligatures?
Ligatures are mouthpiece attachments that help to hold the reed in place on the mouthpiece. They come in a variety of materials, including metal, plastic, and rubber.
2) How do alto saxophone ligatures work?
Ligatures on alto saxophone are used to hold the reed in place on the mouthpiece. There are various types of ligatures available, but the most common type is the string ligature. String ligatures are wrapped around the reed and the mouthpiece and tightened to hold the reed in place. Some players prefer to use a band ligature, which is a metal or plastic band that goes around the reed and the mouthpiece. Band ligatures are generally thought to provide a better seal and a more consistent sound.
3) What are the benefits of using alto saxophone ligatures?
There are a few benefits of using alto saxophone ligatures:
1. They help to secure the reed in place, which can produce a more consistent sound.
2. They can also help to produce a richer, fuller tone as the reed vibrates more freely.
3. Some ligatures also help to improve the intonation of the instrument.
4) What are the different types of alto saxophone ligatures?
The different types of alto saxophone ligatures are:
1) The Rovner Mark III Ligature: This is a very popular ligature among alto saxophone players. It is made of a metal frame with a nylon band that goes around the reed. This ligature is very easy to put on and take off, and it provides a very secure fit.
2) The D’Addario Reserve Ligature: This ligature is also made of a metal frame with a nylon band. It is a little more difficult to put on and take off, but it provides a very secure fit.
3) The BG France Ligature: This ligature is made of a metal frame with a leather band. It is very easy to put on and take off, and it provides a very secure fit.
4) The Vandoren Optimum Ligature: This ligature is made of a metal frame with a silicone band. It is very easy to put on and take off, and it provides a very secure fit.
5) How do I choose the right alto saxophone ligature for my instrument?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as it depends on personal preference. Some factors to consider include the type of reed you are using, the size of your mouthpiece, and the overall playing style. Ultimately, it is up to the individual musician to experiment with different ligatures and find the one that works best for them.
Conclusion
On the market, there are numerous best alto saxophone ligatures. Hopefully, the list of the top ten best alto saxophone ligatures will save you time researching and deciding on the best one for you.