I suspect that the reason your Morgan plays bigger and freer than any of the other mouthpieces is because it's a small enough tip that you don't have to bite the reed down to play it. If you're coming back to the horn after 2-3 years away, you are almost definitely too rusty to be playing a mouthpiece with a tip opening of 120.

The first step is to find the problem. Is it you, or is it the mouthpiece? The less expensive (and more productive) route is to rule out the player (you) as the root of the problem. Stick with the Morgan until you're back in shape, then revisit your other mouthpieces. If none of them work at that point, then it's time to look for a new mouthpiece.

 

I suspect that the reason your Morgan plays bigger and freer than any of the other mouthpieces is because it's a small enough tip that you don't have to bite the reed down to play it. If you're coming back to the horn after 2-3 years away, you are almost definitely too rusty to be playing a mouthpiece with a tip opening of 120.

The first step is to find the problem. Is it you, or is it the mouthpiece? The less expensive (and more productive) route is to rule out the player (you) as the root of the problem. Stick with the Morgan until you're back in shape, then revisit your other mouthpieces. If none of them work at that point, then it's time to look for a new mouthpiece.

I hear you... When I first blew on the Link 9 after all this time, it felt way too open... When I was playing more consistently, it felt fine. My Morgan has always felt a little closed, but playable...even now. I feel like the optimal tip for me at the moment is .115 instead of .120. The Morgan is .110 so it's a little closed. Even before my hiateus, I noticed these characteristics on the various mouthpieces when I played...I was still trying to shape my sound then...and now

Do I need a new MP?? Probably not... but I'm curious to see if there's something out there like the Lawton..but more free blowing and flexible pitchwise...

 

I think after a 2-3 period of not playing, even a .110 is too big to be playing on. Go with something smaller to get your lip muscles back up to shape. Once you have the muscle and embouchure support, you'll be in good shape and should be able to make any of those pieces sing.

 

Mouthpiece similar to lawton

I've been playing a metal LeBayle (9*) for a few years now and really enjoy it. I've played a Lawton, Links, RPC, Dukoff, Vandoren etc. and find that the LeBayle has a terrific sound, good projection, edge when you need it, good sub-tones, nice high end, just a good all around piece. Might be worth a try.

 

I've been playing a metal LeBayle (9*) for a few years now and really enjoy it. I've played a Lawton, Links, RPC, Dukoff, Vandoren etc. and find that the LeBayle has a terrific sound, good projection, edge when you need it, good sub-tones, nice high end, just a good all around piece. Might be worth a try.

Which chamber do you use?? And do these allow you to bend the pitch up a bit without closing off (like the many Bergs and Meyers I've played on :x ) ???

 

Which chamber do you use?? And do these allow you to bend the pitch up a bit without closing off (like the many Bergs and Meyers I've played on :x ) ???

If you can bend up, you may have an embouchure issue. Typically there is room to adjust intonation, but enough room to bend up sounds like an extremely loose embouchure.:shock: This might explain why you have issues with larger tip openings - you need a soft reed to speak which will close up when you push it.

 

If you can bend up, you may have an embouchure issue. Typically there is room to adjust intonation, but enough room to bend up sounds like an extremely loose embouchure.:shock: This might explain why you have issues with larger tip openings - you need a soft reed to speak which will close up when you push it.

I should have made this clearer...

I actually can only bend the pitch up slightly on the horn, but I was really referring to bending the pitch up when playing the MP alone. The way I was taught, on tenor, a concert G pitch is the one to strive for...that means your embouchure is about in the right position. On MPs that I like, I can bend the pitch up to concert Bflat without the piece closing up on me... and then bend down from concert G quite a ways.... For me, this seems to equate to a more free blowing piece, especially in the upper register. The downside of this is I can hit overtones easily in the lower register and I have to be cautious down there... especially with a piece like a Ponzol M2 or a Lakey with a high baffle...

On a Berg or a Meyer, The piece closes up before getting to Bflat...sometimes I can't bend the pitch up from concert G at all.... For me, this normally equates to a piece that is more resistant and restrictive in the upper register, but a little more solid in the lower register. Sometimes a piece like this is so restrictive I need to use very hard reeds..and that normally doesn't help much...

So I like the former, even though the lower register can be a bit iffy at times. I normally like to use a piece that has a medium to large bore and medium large to large chamber..this can help the lower register issues without sacrificing the upper register openness...

Sorry about the confusion, I should have explained that better...

 

Try an RPC. But also get back into playing shape. If you order an RPC, you'll have plenty of time to do that while you await its arrival.