What does the ligature do on clarinet?

The ligature on a clarinet is a metal clamp that holds the reed in place against the mouthpiece. It also affects the sound of the instrument by altering the reed's vibration. A tighter ligature will produce a brighter, more focused sound, while a looser ligature will produce a darker, more mellow sound. Additionally, adjusting the position of the ligature on the reed can affect the instrument's intonation. The ligature is an important part of the clarinet and can be used to customize the sound of the instrument to the player's preference.