[Kini]

This is another mouthpiece question in relation to my embouchure issue. I'm playing bari in a big band that plays a lot of dance charts with Bb clarinet in the sax 5 book. As I've mentioned in several other threads, I'm dealing with an embouchure issue that has required reducing tip openings siginificantly, as well as any type of meaningful resistance. Finding the right pieces for tenor and bari have helped, but the road to "recovery" is long, and my need is for now.

Does such an animal exist?

I'm looking for something analagous to the C* tone - I have a C*, SL3, and Morgan Vintage 4 with Vandoren Trad 2.5, but the "push" on those is too much for now and I fatigue too easity. I wonder if a reed switch would help, but I'm not sure which to try for soprano.

For reference - the pieces that have worked on the other voices: Tenor -Link HR 5 with Rico 2.5 (down from Vandoren TL4 with Vandoren Trad 2.5), have not yet found a jazz piece I can play; Bari - Runyon Custom 9 (.098) with La Voz MS (down from Vandoren B75 with Rico 2.5)

 

[A Greene]

I'm becoming a real 'resistance' hater and look for the easiest equipment to play. I have experiemented with soprano set-up over the years and have settled on a Tenney Tone Edge 7 with LaVoz MS reeds. It's a nice easy set-up. The only problem with larger-ish tips on soprano becomes pitch issues. Players also like the Selmer Super Session but again - strangely thlarge J facing blows really easy. Good Luck - I'm sure many will add suggestions.

 

[Dave Dolson]

For years I found the closer-tipped pieces like C-star to be very difficult. My preferred tips are J in Selmer and 6 & 7 in Morgans. Then one day I put on a Fibracell Premiere 1 1/2 and that allowed me to play the C-star easily albeit without the power of my open pieces. I 'm thinking you should explore a bunch of different reeds and strengths before buying mouthpieces. Dave

 

[MojoBari]

Years ago, i was looking for a set-up that would use my bari sax air stream on sop sax. This was an intonation control nightmarte for me. I concluded that I needed to say at .065" or smaller on sop sax being only an occassional sop sax player. If I have too much air to expend, i vent it out of the corners of my mouth like oboe players doo.

I have recently found on sop sax that smaller tip openings, with resistance in the facing curve, play as well and possibly better for me than more open tips with free-blowing facing curves.

 

[Tom Goodrick]

I had started on the pseudo "Yamaha 4" sold with the Antigua Wind 590. Then I went to tips of .055 to .057. Played them for several years. Then I tried a new Yamaha 5C. By this time I was using mainly #2 ZZ reeds. It seemed extremely easy to blow. But I have significant dynamics with it. I can scream with the best trumpet players or get close to merging with flutes. It's great fun.

 

[Jazzaferri]

Talk to Joe Giardullo at SopranoPlanet. He's a good human and amazing sop mpce guy.

 

[bruce bailey]

I used more open soprano mouthpieces for years butg now find the Yamaha 4C/5C to be great. Lots of fullness and loud.