expensive hobby

[luther66]

Hi,ive been playing for around 5 months now and can play around 5 songs,mostly ballads as i think they take better breath control.I just cant find a nice smooth mouthpiece,ive purchased many and cant find a nice smooth play,as i say i like ballads so i dont want anything sharp are responsive,i have just purchased a otto link 5 over the net,it isnt here yet but do you think this will be better than the other mouthpieces ive tried.

[cleger]

I am not much more experienced than you are, but here are my 2 cents. I would stick with one relatively middle of the road mouthpiece (not too open and no big baffles) and try to get the sound you want from it. The sound has to come from you, the mouthpiece might make it easier to play as yourself but ultimately you have to work on your sound you can't buy it. The Link might be a good piece to work with in that regard based on what I have heard (I've never played a link so can't speak from experience).

[MusicMedic]

Since you have been playing less than one year, I think it would be best for you not to worry about the mouthpiece you are using. Just be certain you have one that works. If you have "purchased many" there is a good chance you have one that works fine.

Otto links are good mouthpieces and that would be a fine one to use. It's important that you stick with one mouthpiece and develop your embouchure.

Good luck!

[gary]

...with this caveat - the tip opening probably should not be larger than a 6 or you'll likely be using too weak reeds to get a sound out of the mpc but your upper register development may suffer, or the reed you're using will be too hard with a large tip opening for you to get much of a sound at all. So the 5 opening should be O.K.

Also, was that Link a hard rubber or a metal? IMO it makes a difference for a difference.

[luther66]

Thanks for the reply guys,to be honest i have noticed a change in different mouthpieces,my teacher tells me that i have a good head start from a new begginer as i have been a proffesional tenor singer for 12 years,i suppose breath control and diaphram strength are the key factors in playing sax,its the playing thats the tricky bit.Ill see what the otto is like and hopefully get some good from it,i suppose you get what you pay for as far as sax and mouthpieces go.

[luther66]

Hi gary,the otto is the tone master rubber.

[gary]

Then as long as the facing is good, that should be a good piece for you. Have fun!

[luther66]

Im having excellent fun,i thought that singing i nice ballad was the tops but playing it on such a heart warming instrument makes you put you heart and soul into it,

......mouthpiece(i wouldnt use my voice if i couldnt sing at my best!....same goes for my sax mouthpiece.