Balladeer
06-13-2003, 02:36 PM
I finally got an A/D converter, recording software, setup a microphone (Shure SM57), and recorded myself to compare the difference in my tone between 3 tenor mouthpieces. I just played a simple melody first in the low octave and then an octave up. The sober truth is I sound almost identical on each mouthpiece. The differences I heard as a player were so minute when played back that they had no meaningful effect on the overall sound.
Now I know the truth. I sound like me regardless of equipment. The setup I choose is the one that feels best (to me) to play on.
I am very happy to learn this lesson. In my 40+ years of playing sax I was never concerned with my equipment. I played the same instrument, mouthpiece, lig, and brand/strength of reed since 1970. I want it to be simple again. The joy has always been on the inside.
p.s. Thanks, Doc. Your wisdom was like a lighthouse in the fog.
Now I know the truth. I sound like me regardless of equipment. The setup I choose is the one that feels best (to me) to play on.
I am very happy to learn this lesson. In my 40+ years of playing sax I was never concerned with my equipment. I played the same instrument, mouthpiece, lig, and brand/strength of reed since 1970. I want it to be simple again. The joy has always been on the inside.
p.s. Thanks, Doc. Your wisdom was like a lighthouse in the fog.