A mass-loaded ligature is provided for use in a mouthpiece system for attaching a reed to a mouthpiece of a woodwind musical instrument. The ligature is constructed from a flexible strap of material, either metal or rubberized fabric, having two ends to which large masses are fixedly secured. The ends of the straps and masses are brought together to form a loop that is placed over the mouthpiece and reed. A threaded closure mechanism is used to tighten the ligature around the mouthpiece. The ends of the strap are folded over and crimped into slots in the masses to secure the masses to the strap.