Just making sure we are talking about the same horn here.

You play the Bellite on Tenor and you want to try the tenor Jumbo?

Just because you listed A55 which would be a piece for alto. T55 would be the corresponding piece for Tenor.

I used to play a T95 which was actually a tad too big for me. The Vandoren system confuses me all the time. I think the T75 is the one that is like a 7/7*. That's probably the one you want to try as it's around the same tip opening as your bellite.

I'll say that I liked the regular Java much more than the Jumbo. I felt you could add all the edge yourself with a nice core tone rather than the Jumbo which sorta locked into one tone.

 

How long are you playing? If you are a beginner (playing less than 2-3 years) stick with your mpc until your embouchure has developed further. mpcs always can be reedpicky, this could also happen to you with a Jumbo Java or any other mpc. If you like the sound of the bellite there is no sense in changing the mpc. Try different reeds. Do your longtones.

 

I have about 10+ years of experience, by all means I'm no beginning, however I'm still doing long tones, rascher's book, etc. I think I will check out some new reeds. I definitely know about reed picky mpc's, as my bellite is REALLY picky. This is for my tenor Wailer How would you add edge btw? I'll add edge above A2 by humming or growling, but don't usually do that in the lower registers.

 

There's a fair number of things you can do. A lot of which are related to the resistance in the horn.

When you're playing you can shape the back of your throat more like an Eeeee as opposed to an Ahhhhh (general idea of keeping an "Open throat").

Fluttering an growling.

Overblowing the upper register. So you get some of those buzzy or almost split sounds.

And then in the Altissimo there's split tones.

Blatting your low notes.

There's more but these are the ones I use regularly to add edge to what I consider my darkish core sound.

 

Split tones? Heard the word before, not exactly sure.

 

David Sanborn

Or 44 seconds of this video I play one.

 

David Sanborn is one of my favorites and main influences on alto...was curious as to how to do split tones...guess I'll start researching

 

...that link is awesome..I WANNA DO THAT!! Is that you?...Been trying to work on the flutter tongue thing, can't seem to get it. Saw techniques like pronouncing "jalepeno" and drawing it out and all that. One day I'll get it. And did I hear the Cannonball trill in there? Wish I had a band like that in my area to play with!

 

Watch this video

 

Update: Came home and jammed out on my Tenor with the bellite and tried a 2 1/2 Java and voila....perfect! Used less pressure for altissimo and it sounded awesome, yet still PLENTY of control down low and could even whisper with it. So I'm sticking with this awesome mpc