Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
🪢 A binding cord 🩺 A tying thread 🔤 A joined letter 🎷 A reed holder 🎼 A note group
ligature

ligature

1 9.0
A metal band that holds a reed to a clarinet or saxophone mouthpiece
  • noun
  • /ˈlɪɡətʃər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : abrazadera
  • The clarinetist tightened the ligature to ensure the reed was in place.

Examples

  • She bought a new ligature made of gold-plated metal for her saxophone.

  • The ligature on my clarinet is worn out.

  • If your ligature is too loose, the reed may not vibrate properly.

  • She tightened the ligature before playing.

  • The clarinetist adjusted the ligature to ensure the reed was securely attached to the mouthpiece.

  • To produce a clear sound, make sure the ligature is tightened properly around the reed.

  • When assembling the saxophone, it is important to place the ligature correctly on the mouthpiece.

Synonyms

to band
vsligature
30 3.3

To tie things together with a loop of material

is a specific metal device that holds a reed on a mouthpiece

Surface Forms

ligature singular
ligatures plural

Morphology

ligature = lig + ure

Despite a consistent notion of 'binding' across senses, the morphemes are not recognizable to typical learners, so this specialized instrumental sense is not derivable from component parts.

Etymology

Ligature comes from the Latin ligare 'to bind'. In instruments like the clarinet or saxophone a ligature is the metal or fabric band that 'binds' the reed to the mouthpiece and keeps it in place.