[JohnMarkPainter]

I have a Bari HR .068 that plays well with Rico 3.
Rico 2.5 are a little brash, 3 1/2 start to get stuffy and I am working a little too hard.

I am new to Soprano. Vibrato with this mouthpiece (especially with 2.5) is pretty touchy.
Intonation is coming along.
I am getting used to it. I don't really have any other complaints other than some occasional trouble with the lowest notes (I blame my embouchure at the moment).

Would it be prudent for me to try a Bari .064?
Or just keep putting in some time on long tones and octave exercises to get the vibrato and intonation under control?

On my other saxes, I have settled into 6 tip openings.
This one is a little open but it doesn't feel impossible.

 

[MojoBari]

I would go down in tip opening only if you find the intonation a bit wild to control.

 

[JohnMarkPainter]

Thanks, I might try to borrow one.
I'll know quickly.
I know I am not going to dedicate my life to practicing Soprano so I need a comfort zone.

I would go down in tip opening only if you find the intonation a bit wild to control.

 

[bruce bailey]

I have played soprano for about 57 years and there is no way I could play on that mouthpiece. I use a .047" and my max would be .055".

 

[JohnMarkPainter]

My comparisons have only been Yamaha 4C, Selmer S80, Bari Espirit (.057?)
The Bari HR .068 has a big sound that I like.
The Espirit (I know there are differences other than the tip) sounds small

And I have moments where I think "I can do this".
The .068 is actually easy for me to blow.
I finally figured out I had been playing with the mouthpiece in way too far with a too relaxed embouchure

I am playing Alto .077, Tenor .095, Bari 110 currently all are Bari HR (I am liking the consistency of shape).
I don't know how much bearing the other mouthpieces have on what I 'should' play on Soprano.

I found a local Tone Edge 6 that I think I am going to try.
I don't mind if it leans dark.

I have played soprano for about 57 years and there is no way I could play on that mouthpiece. I use a .047" and my max would be .055".

 

[MM]

I'm in line with Bruce. As a new, or even old, player of soprano that .068 is a large tip opening. Maybe play on a Yamaha 6C for a while as they are cheap but well made. Try to not get into the habit of playing the horn out of tune as it will be hard to break.

Or if you really love Bari's I think they make a .058 tip.

Firmer reed will help intonation on soprano. Blue box 2.5 or 3. They'll require a closer tip.

 

[lydian]

I play a Runyon 8 which is .067. It has a great, full sound, top to bottom. Not too dark or too bright, not too nasal. No problem for me playing jazz and pop. Low notes come out very easily. But it takes a lot of practice to get the intonation under control. The sound of my much more closed Yamaha 5C (.049) is very blah compared to my Runyon.

What kind of sound are you going for, as in which artist has the sound you're after?

If you end up wanting to get rid of that Bari, shoot me a PM.

 

[JohnMarkPainter]

I am not a fan of 'modern' sax tone.
The work that I do is mostly soul influenced or smooth ensemble.
The Otto Tone Link I found locally (don't have it yet) is a 6 with is a .60
The Bari Espirit that I have is a .057 or .058 and next to the .068 it makes me a little sad.
I need to take one more swing with it and record a bit and see what's up.

Will let you know on the Bari .068
I got it for $80

I play a Runyon 8 which is .067. It has a great, full sound, top to bottom. Not too dark or too bright, not too nasal. No problem for me playing jazz and pop. Low notes come out very easily. But it takes a lot of practice to get the intonation under control. The sound of my much more closed Yamaha 5C (.049) is very blah compared to my Runyon.

What kind of sound are you going for, as in which artist has the sound you're after?

If you end up wanting to get rid of that Bari, shoot me a PM.

 

[JohnMarkPainter]

So I tried the the Espirit again and the .068 is just more fun.
It has more top and bottom where the Espirit is rolled off top and mid focused.
I do have to be careful with mic placement as the 'snake charmer' tone pops up playing in the midrange of the instrument.

I do have to use a good bit of support playing low with the .068.
I am a trumpet player so I can...but after practicing long tones low register I feel like I have been doing situps

 

[Benjamin Allen]

I have played soprano for about 57 years and there is no way I could play on that mouthpiece. I use a .047" and my max would be .055".

I am with Bruce. I have played on a Selmer E Super Session, which could be a tough battle in and of itself. I primarily play on a Selmer S90 190 at about a .047" and also a Yamaha 4CM, which is in the same ball park. I find smaller tip openings on soprano to be more ideal for me and they promote better intonation.
Good luck in your pursuit.
Best,
Ben

 

[JohnMarkPainter]

Baby steps....I’m going to try a .062 Bari and see what that does.
The Selmer S80 I used was a C*

 

[bruce bailey]

Of the ones you have mentioned, the C* would be my choice. As mentioned, there are a lot of different concepts of sound for soprano. I like the more alto/tenor sound of the Yamaha 4C rather than the bright trumpet/violin sound popular today with the wide open mouthpieces.

 

[Atonal]

Unless you are a seasoned professional with full command of the technique for playing soprano saxophone, I don't recommend open mouthpieces. On the other hand, if you're playing in your basement and nobody else has to hear it...then go for it...

 

[JohnMarkPainter]

Of the ones you have mentioned, the C* would be my choice. As mentioned, there are a lot of different concepts of sound for soprano. I like the more alto/tenor sound of the Yamaha 4C rather than the bright trumpet/violin sound popular today with the wide open mouthpieces.

I agree. Bright trumpet/violin is the opposite of what I want (I play trumpet...that's covered
So do I just need a slightly stiffer reed and just practice and get used to a more 'standard' mouthpiece?

 

[JohnMarkPainter]

I spent more time with the Bari Espirit.
I Have to play 2 1/2 with it.

Vibrato and intonation feel easy.
Long tones....

 

[Grumps]

I am new to Soprano..

Soprano chops take years to develop. You don't get them from a mouthpiece. Whatever you're doing, whatever you're trying... just choose the piece that's easiest for you to play. Put some time into it and don't expect miracles. What you don't want to be doing is fighting your equipment, or forcing yourself to play a piece only because you want it to be right for you. In other words... slow down.

 

[JohnMarkPainter]

Soprano chops take years to develop. You don't get them from a mouthpiece. Whatever you're doing, whatever you're trying... just choose the piece that's easiest for you to play. Put some time into it and don't expect miracles. What you don't want to be doing is fighting your equipment, or forcing yourself to play a piece only because you want it to be right for you. In other words... slow down.

Yeah...it's pretty shocking when you play a combo of a horn that is set up, with the right reed and mouthpiece.

 

[Benjamin Allen]

Soprano chops take years to develop. You don't get them from a mouthpiece. Whatever you're doing, whatever you're trying... just choose the piece that's easiest for you to play. Put some time into it and don't expect miracles. What you don't want to be doing is fighting your equipment, or forcing yourself to play a piece only because you want it to be right for you. In other words... slow down.

Words to live by . . .

 

[JohnMarkPainter]

Words to live by . . .

Something I have to keep reminding myself and this popped up in my search for Bass Clarinet mouthpieces....
There are mouthpieces that I lean towards after playing for a long time for several days.
But then if I lay off for a few days and just pick up the instrument to play, the 'more sensible' mouthpieces work better.

I am a part timer. I need gear that works in that context.

 

[mmichel]

Soprano chops take years to develop. You don't get them from a mouthpiece. Whatever you're doing, whatever you're trying... just choose the piece that's easiest for you to play. Put some time into it and don't expect miracles. What you don't want to be doing is fighting your equipment, or forcing yourself to play a piece only because you want it to be right for you. In other words... slow down.

+1

Just play what feels comfortable. Either way, it's going to take a while to feel comfortable on soprano.

FWIW, I started on a Bari 0.064 and, after a couple of years of experimentation with smaller and larger openings, ended up feeling most comfortable with openings around 0.070, which is what I've played on for most of the last 10 years. My main setup is a Morgan Vintage 7 with Rigotti (3L) or Jazz Select (3S) reeds. This sounds like a stiff setup, but it really doesn't feel that way. It's just what I feel most comfortable playing.

Many saxophonists prefer small openings on soprano, but many do not. Everyone's physiology is different, and even saxophonists specializing in Soprano (like Dave Liebman and Steve Lacy) have used very open setups. If 0.068 feels right to you, don't try to force a smaller opening. Just stick with it.