[cvtorchia]

I am new to this forum, but i have been reading them for years
I play a Selmer AS500 and use a Meyer 5M with 3.5 Vandoran ZZs and I am looking to get a brighter tone.
I am considering purchasing a Berg Larson 100/1 MS metal mouth piece to try and attain a brighter, more edgy tone. I find that when i reach my altissimo, it sounds kind of shrill, and not really in tune, even though my tuner says they are. Ive been playing for 6.5 years and i want to get a tone similar to Cannonball Adderly or Charlie Parker. My solos are similar to the two, fast, II IV I progression, but i dont swing very hard, im more straight foward bop.
If you can make any suggestions, that would be awesome.

 

[jlima]

For the kind of tone you want, stick to the Meyer. Switch instead to a #3 ZZ reed or maybe a #3 Java green or a Rico Select Jazz #3S. Reeds are key in brightening up the tone. It's likely that a Berg Larsen will actually move you AWAY from a Cannonball kind of tone.

 

[bruce bailey]

Meyer.

 

[Dave Dolson]

Welcome to posting on SOTW. While I agree with jlima's advice - reeds can make a huge difference, we all react to mouthpieces differently. One person's bright is another person's dull. Nothing wrong with experimenting with mouthpieces; heck, I have a boxes of them. Just realize that if you can't afford the constant search, best to try different reeds first. DAVE

 

[cvtorchia]

thanks for the suggestion. I do agree that the Vandoran 3 ZZ produces brighter tone, but also a hard reed and a large tip opening sound is much brighter than the tone i currently have. Also with the softer reeds, i tend to squeak alot, almost every other note. Also the harder reeds make the altissimo notes sound better, and more full. I guess what I should of asked is how to achieve a more Charlie Parker type tone, not so much Adderly.

 

[Nozero]

I know a lot of guys who can get a nice bright tone with Vandoren V16's, you might want to try those. Phil Woods plays on them, and if you like Bird and Cannonball you would like him too. And I know where you're coming from with the altissimo. I switched from size 3 to 3.5 on the V16's and it thickened up my altissimo quite a bit. Best of luck!

 

[steve]

I have a SS Berg 90/1 and 110/0 that sit in the case. My Meyer "G" is much brighter than either.

 

[bruce bailey]

For bright, you may want to try a Rico Metalite or Graftonite. These are cheap on the internet and really good for the money. In the $15-30 range. I use them on tenor and find them to really cut through. IF you want to stay in the same tip range as the Meyer 5M, then a 3 facing would work. M3 or C3.

 

[cvtorchia]

Thanks again for the suggestions, Next time i am at the music store for reads, Ill pick up a few V16s instead of ZZs, I was even thinking about getting some #4 ZZs, again for that large tip opening, hard reed sound. Ive talked to people who use the Metalite and Graftonites and I heard that they were not very good, they said that they were durable, but the sound was to soft for them, but i will be willing to try them out. I have been reading around and I read that ligature also has an effect on the tone, does anyone have suggestions about a new ligature. Currently i am using the standard one that came with my Meyer. Thanks again for the suggestions.

 

[CarlHeanerd]

Long tones.

 

[Dave Dolson]

cvtorchia: First of all, take all mouthpiece comments with a grain . . . what works for someone else may not work for you and vice-versa.

Secondly, ligatures are very important but the marketing hype surrounding them is among the worst you will see with any product (with maybe automobiles being the most offensive). Your standard ligature will most likely work just as good as the $100+ models you'll read about.

I'd settle for a good-playing mouthpiece and not be concerned about durability. To find THAT, you gotta do the search-test-buy work. DAVE

 

[bruce bailey]

The only problems I have found with the Ricos is that they are often too loud.

 

[cvtorchia]

Long tones.

hahah i do long tones for a good five minutes before i play
and Dave Dolson what do you mean "Take all mouthpiece comments with a grain?"

 

[Dave Dolson]

Take the mouthpiece comments with a grain of salt. It is an OLD expression - means not to take it too seriously, don't believe everything you are told, don't buy into someone else's concept right from the start, make your own decisions, etc. DAVE

 

[bruce bailey]

Don't put salt on your mouthpiece! OK, maybe some Art Pepper.....

 

[cvtorchia]

okay, thanks for the clarification
HAHAHA ooopss already salted my mouthpiece.... plays with a little more flavour now

 

[cvtorchia]

I was told agaisnt the berg larson by a friend of mine and he suggested a metal meyer, i looked into it and saw that they were supposed to be pretty good and i just wanted an opinion on it. I playe a meyer 5m now and i was think of a 7mj for metal. Thanms

 

[35TangoTango]

Get a small Chamber Meyer. I've got a Meyer 7SS (small chamber short face) that absolutely screams. If I had it to do over again though, I think I would get the regular length facing. It would still be pretty bright, and scoops etc. would be a lot easier. I think the small chamber would do more for your brightness than going to metal.

One thing, if you get a new Meyer, I'd send it to a good refacer right off the bat and have any imperfections removed.

 

[dubrosa22]

Hey, I play a couple of Bergs on alto and bright is not really how I'd describe them.
I'd say my metal 100/1 and hard rubber 90/2 both are fat and loud. That's the Berg sound IMHO.

Obviously, the 100/1 does have a piercing, cutting tone compared to my stock Meyer 5M but not sure if I'd call it any brighter. The 5M is way more versatile too. Just not quite my style.
I think my 90/2 totally out-performs the 5M for versatility whilst being in the same tonal ballpark. It can be bright, dark whatever. And it also screams if you so wish.

But I'd stick with your 5M for now. Like others have said: try some new reeds (lots of different brands and strengths) and work on your long tones.
And of course everyone's got their own inner sound regardless of any particular pieces.

 

[corsiar]

I play on a brilhart level aire #7 with a java red 2.5 that I scraped down the heart on

It is brite to me sounds very similar to Kenny g but on an alto but I do play a straight alto so the sound I think is more piercing

Try some softer hemke reeds they player brighter for me

I could never find a reed I liked so I started scraping off the shelf reeds and was amazed at the results give it a try, try sanding or scraping the heart towards the back and see what results you get