Ligature (instrument)

A ligature is a device which holds a reed onto the mouthpiece of a single-reed instrument such as a saxophone or clarinet.

The ligature must secure the reed firmly against the table of the mouthpiece while allowing it to vibrate freely.

Some modern clarinetists even opt to use shoestring as a ligature substitute as it is more easily adjustable than string.

Contact rails may be either parallel or transverse to the reed, on either a metal band or pressure plate type ligature.

Some bands are designed for minimal contact with the mouthpiece, allowing even less absorption of the reed's vibrations.