[queperknuckle]

I play with a size 3 Vandoren Java on alto. I got my soprano yesterday and tried to play it for the first time using a 2.5 java reed. It's very difficult for me to play. Why is it that I can play a 3 reed on alto easily and have trouble playing with a 2.5 on soprano?

 

[Carl H.]

Different mouthpieces require different reed strengths. The alto and soprano are different instruments, forget the numbers and use whatever works.

 

[BobbyC]

What mouth pieces are you using on each?

Is the soprano in perfect working order or does it need a tune up?

 

[queperknuckle]

The soprano came brand new from saxforte. The thing is built like a wrench. It looks and feels flawless. I'm using the mouthpiece that came with it by rampone and cazzani. I don't know what the facing on it is. Anyhow, I put on a smaller reed and am able to play it much better. I still have to work for the lower notes. On the selmer, I'm using a selmer super session that came with it with an F facing. I think it's prolly a mouthpiece difference. The selmer mouthpiece makes the low notes easy to play on alto and my embrochure probably needs to be a little loser when I'm playing on the other mouthpiece.

 

[queperknuckle]

The horn plays fine now. Just had to let my tech take a look at it.

 

[saxphil]

Q,-I also have an R&C Jazz.I find the mpc. very muddy sounding and cheap.There are many members who play sop,who could steer you to some much better mpcs. to try, should you ask.
The lig that came with mine was too big for the mpc.as well.The mpc. itself was a plasticy thing and surprisingly quite soft.The horn smokes with almost any well made piece.

 

[sycc]

For soprano use a selmer super session. Great piece. The reason you needed a softer reed is because probably the sop mthpc you were using has a more open tip then your alto mthpc. The more open the tip the softer the reed you can use. Conversly the smaller the tip the harder the reed.