[dylanroebuck]

I found out today that I made the tenor spot in the top band at my school. Both the alto's use C*'s and so does the bari. Should I get one so that we all have the same one?

I just started tenor this year, and up till now have only used my Otto Link for jazz and a Yamaha 4C for marching band. Concert band just started because marching is over, and I was planning on buying a new mouthpiece anyway.

 

[Agent27]

Use the Link if that's what you're comfortable with. More than likely, the altos and bari don't own jazz mouthpieces so they're using the same piece they use for concert band. Mouthpieces are a matter of preference. There's no real reason for a section to intentionally use the same setups.

 

[Jayn]

As long as everyone can blend and the lead alto voice is heard, there shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure you all really listen to each other and phrase together.

 

[drakesaxprof]

If you're talking about concert band, it might be tricky to blend your STM with C*'s. Not impossible, certainly. You might try:
S-80 C** or D
Vandoren Optimum AL4
Rousseau 4R or 5R
or even a hard rubber Otto Link Tone Edge 5 or 5*

JR

 

[Agent27]

Oh yeah, I was thinking jazz. Don't get a C* for tenor. It's really too close for tenor. Take draesaxprof's advice and get a C** or D or Vandoren/Rousseau. I like the Vandorens myself.

 

[Jayn]

Duh! Sorry I was thinking Jazz too!
Congratulations! by the way and, yeah, what they said (about a mpc for tenor)

 

[dylanroebuck]

No sorry, I was talking about concert band. I play on a YTS-23 that was beat to a pulp bye the guy that used it last year. Hopefully next year I'll get to use my schools MARK VI!!!!!!!!! Anyway, I found a Selmer Goldentone that I'll be using for awhile until I get more feedback. From what my director and the rest of the sax players at my school says, I should get a C*. I haven't made up my mind yet.

 

[Clarinetdude108]

dont get a C*, get more like a D or an E if you must. It is going to feel very closed compared to your link.

 

[maestroelite]

I have a Vandoren V5 that I play on tenor in my university's symphonic band. One of the other people here that mainly plays tenor plays one too. They're really great tonally flexible pieces which is good for tenor players since we switch between blending with other saxes, bassoons and euphoniums/bones. However, someone who likes Selmers would probably say the same thing about S80s. I just think the Van Doren line has much better quality facings and are better overall pieces and someone has to disagree in any conversation.

 

[playitfunky]

I don't think saxophones have to sound the same to blend. I really feel you can have 5 distinct sounds when playing individually, and then blend them into what your sax sections sound will be. I'm probably in the minority on this I guess but I think its boring when all the player in a section have the same tone.

 

[littlemanbighorn]

You should get a D or an E if you're considering getting a Selmer, and the Baritone should be playing AT LEAST an E or F.

 

[wersax]

I don't think saxophones have to sound the same to blend. I really feel you can have 5 distinct sounds when playing individually, and then blend them into what your sax sections sound will be. I'm probably in the minority on this I guess but I think its boring when all the player in a section have the same tone.

I'm with you; besides, the same equipment doesn't mean the tone will be the same or even similar. Without being ridiculous, (i.e., a Dukoff D10 will not blend in with 3 guys playing C*'s, no matter how hard you try), it's the player not the equipment.

 

[Agent27]

From what my director and the rest of the sax players at my school says, I should get a C*. I haven't made up my mind yet.

Don't get a C*. C*'s on tenor are comparatively more closed than the altos are and it ends up being a little too close to be optimal. The tip opening between an alto MPC and a tenor MPC of the same model and size should be about .015 of an inch (give or take .005 of an inch. IIRC, the difference between an alto C* and a tenor C* is only .004 of an inch. They basically have the same tip opening which is ridiculous. This is why you need a D or a E to make up the difference.

More than likely, your band director is not a saxophonist. In college, somebody told him to tell the saxes to get C*s. While that's good advice for alto's, it doesn't hold true for tenors. If this is the case, he's just regurgitating bad info and really doesn't know what he's talking about. Trust us. If you get a Semer S80, don't get a C*. Get a D.

 

[J.Max]

I don't think saxophones have to sound the same to blend. I really feel you can have 5 distinct sounds when playing individually, and then blend them into what your sax sections sound will be. I'm probably in the minority on this I guess but I think its boring when all the player in a section have the same tone.

I agree with you!

OK, so back to the problem at hand...here's what I'd recommend...get a few classical mouthpieces (I'd recommend the Vandoren Optimum TL4, the Rousseau NC4, and the Vandoren T27 for starters). I'm not a big fan of Selmer S-80 mouthpieces, especially on tenor, but if you want to try one of those, definitely get a D or E. Selmer's facing system is a little different than everyone elses...the facings are only about .05 off, which is a problem because the tip opening ratio is screwed up.

 

[bruce bailey]

If you want to stay in the Selmer family, an S-80 in an F would be the closest match. As stated, Selmer Tenor mouthpieces are way too closed on tenor. I only sell the F for tenor and it is a great all around mouthpiece if you are playing both concert band and light jazz. If you are going jazz only, there are other choices.

 

[playitfunky]

I'm with you; besides, the same equipment doesn't mean the tone will be the same or even similar. Without being ridiculous, (i.e., a Dukoff D10 will not blend in with 3 guys playing C*'s, no matter how hard you try), it's the player not the equipment.

Does this mean that I won't sound like Brecker did just by having his mouthpiece?

Damn that means I won't ever sound like him!!!!!!!!!