Better sounding MP vs 4c

[sinebar]

What would be a better sounding MP than the Yamaha 4C but with the same tip opening? I'm still a beginner (about a month) so I guess the .063" tip opening is needed.

[cleger]

I think a Selmer C* is about the same tip opening and is very beginner-friendly. Another option that I hear mentioned a lot but have never tried myself is a Meyer. What sort of sound are you going for?

[sinebar]

I think a Selmer C* is about the same tip opening and is very beginner-friendly. Another option that I hear mentioned a lot but have never tried myself is a Meyer. What sort of sound are you going for?

Mostly jazz and maybe some blues.

[cleger]

I am also a beginner, so take my opinions as a (hopefully helpful) fellow traveller who may not have more knowledge than you already have.

I am assuming that you are playing tenor, so if that is not the case please let me know. I have been playing on a C* since I started and I can now get a pretty decent jazz sound on it. The right reed seems to be the key. I went to Vandoren jaZZ reeds and the sound is just what I was going for. So with the right reed the C* will work although it isn't really a jazz piece.

The other piece I have is a Lamberson 7J which I bought for a number of reasons none of which relate to me being ready for it. I would recommend against doing what I did and buying a mouthpiece because your idol plays on one. It is a great hand-finished piece but was too much of a tip opening jump for me. Although I was able to play on it and I loved the sound, I just don't have the chops to play consistently on a mouthpiece with a .110 tip opening. I am now hanging on to the mouthpiece until I am ready for it.

In terms of other things to look at, you will get two main recommendations on this board, a Link and a Meyer. I haven't tried either but I intend to within the next few months in order to find a transition piece to the Lamberson.

If you have an instructor, they would be the person to have an in depth conversation with regarding a mouthpiece change. If you don't have an instructor I would recommend getting one if at all possible.

[Dave Dolson]

The .063 measurement could be a moderately open soprano or fairly closed alto. Which horn/mouthpiece are you asking about? DAVE

[sinebar]

The .063 measurement could be a moderately open soprano or fairly closed alto. Which horn/mouthpiece are you asking about? DAVE

I have a Yamaha YTS-23 tenor. I am looking for a step up mouthpiece from the 4c but want to stay in the beginner range.

[Dave Dolson]

For tenor, you may want to query Kessler. I have his Custom OL7 (I think that's what it is - it has "7" stamped on it). It is reasonably priced (I got it with a new tenor I bought from him) and it plays fine for me. DAVE

[fballatore]

The Yamaha 4C is an excellent beginner mouthpiece. If you're not ready to move up, I'd stick with the Yamaha, and save the money for a better, more open piece when you're ready to move up.

Frank

[Pete Thomas]

What would be a better sounding MP than the Yamaha 4C but with the same tip opening? I'm still a beginner (about a month) so I guess the .063" tip opening is needed.

The Yamaha 4c is not a bad "sounding' mouthpiece. It's a great mouthpiece to learn on and is capable of a very good sound. It allows the player's own sound to come through, whereas some mouthpieces have a tendency to "impose" something on the playing - I have found this with Lawtons and Guardalas - and I'm not talking about any brightness added due to baffles.

I'd say say stick with this one for quite a bit longer and allow your own better sound to develop. Once you no longer need to ask a forum what mouthpiece to buy, you are ready to go and try out some other mouthpieces and make your own judgment.

[sinebar]

The Yamaha 4c is not a bad "sounding' mouthpiece. It's a great mouthpiece to learn on and is capable of a very good sound. It allows the player's own sound to come through, whereas some mouthpieces have a tendency to "impose" something on the playing - I have found this with Lawtons and Guardalas - and I'm not talking about any brightness added due to baffles.

I'd say say stick with this one for quite a bit longer and allow your own better sound to develop. Once you no longer need to ask a forum what mouthpiece to buy, you are ready to go and try out some other mouthpieces and make your own judgment.

Thanks, that sounds like good advice. I didn't realize the c4 was a good mpc. I thought it was just a cheepo they include with the sax.

[Pete Thomas]

Thanks, that sounds like good advice. I didn't realize the c4 was a good mpc. I thought it was just a cheepo they include with the sax.

Yes they are cheap, but good as opposed to most mouhpieces they throw in with the horn. I use one on soprano somtimes. I prefer them to modern stock Selmers