[bigtiny]

I know this is probably the 100000000th post asking about good mouthpieces, but here goes:

I am an intermediate sax player. I am interested in getting a new mouthpiece for my soprano sax.

price: moderate to expensive
sax: Mauriat saxello
current setup: selmer C*, rico jazz 2 1/2
musical setting: primary focus is jazz and experimental music
reason for mouthpiece: I still have a lot of development ahead as a player, but I'd like to open up my sound a bit and also I'd like a bit less nasal sound. For some reference, role models are Steve Lacy, Wayne Shorter....

So, while I'd love recommendations for good moutpieces, I'd also appreciate pointers to docs about choosing moupieces...what are the pertinent factors/ cause/effect, etc etc etc

thanks,

bigtiny

 

[Seasax]

the key is trying loads,

we can keep recommending mouthpieces to people, but it is quite a personal thing,
but meyers are always good to try,
selmer super sessions,
jody jazz
otto link
they are all good, but just keep trying pieces out

 

[Dr G]

Try the mouthpiece forum right next to this one - the one that starts with "Soprano,"

Want to open up your sound? Open your throat. Really. That's the one thing that you'll find in common among the great players - much more common than any one mouthpiece.

 

[bruce bailey]

Selmer Super Session E with a red a half strength lighter. I used a D for 30 years and the SS opened the sound up greatly.

 

[Seasax]

im planning on trying an SS on sop soon as well.

 

[bigtiny]

Try the mouthpiece forum right next to this one - the one that starts with "Soprano,"

Want to open up your sound? Open your throat. Really. That's the one thing that you'll find in common among the great players - much more common than any one mouthpiece.

You know, I was REALLY hoping I wouldn't get this kind of response. I went out of my way to read the sticky about what should be in these posts and tried to comply. I pointed out that I was an intermediate player and knew I have a lot of work to do which i HOPED would have communicated the idea that I"m not just looking for a 'magic' mouthpiece.

I played the trumpet for a long time and I've seen the 'mouthpiece cavalcade' phenomenon. I picked a good mouthpiece early and stuck with it for 30 years.

However, my experience with the saxophone and saxophonists so far has been that mouthpieces make a BIG different beyond just the player. This is why I asked this question....it's also why I made a point to ask for pointers to info about how mouthpieces work....what attributes of the mouthpiece affects which attribute of the sound (I guess I should have spelled it out....)

And finally, I put in the general forum because I'm asking as much for information as I am for a pointer to a specific moutpiece. I assume the physics are similiar across the different instruments.

Okay, so now, can somebody please answer my question and not assume that I'm looking for a simple answer to becoming a better player?

thanks,

keith

 

[selmer]

what you do is over the next 5 to 10 years you try and buy every sort of piece out there like the rest of us and then when you think you've cracked it...someone like Theo Wanne will come along and produce another one.....etc.....etc.

 

[Dr G]

However, my experience with the saxophone and saxophonists so far has been that mouthpieces make a BIG different beyond just the player. This is why I asked this question....it's also why I made a point to ask for pointers to info about how mouthpieces work....what attributes of the mouthpiece affects which attribute of the sound (I guess I should have spelled it out....)

Bottom line, Keith, is that it doesn't matter that you can learn to look at a mouthpiece and see the differences between sidewalls, baffle, lay, rail thickness, ad nauseum. Yes, there are trends but every once in a while a really great mouthpiece maker will nail it with a combination that you might not expect to work.

Generally, if you want less "quack" in your sop, you are looking for less baffle and more chamber volume. Among 'pieces that I like are Lamberson Fmaj7, Phil Barone "Vintage" HR, and Bari .068". Others like Selmer Super Session and Otto Link. Whether these are a good match for you depends on how you blow the mouthpiece.