[vonbraig]

I put this here because I want as many "good" opinions as possible.

I like the horn, not for the long term, but can't get the pitch up enough. I'm using a Keilworth stock mouthpiece and it is close but no room to raise the pitch enough to get the sharp notes down with the throat to match the low ones. My method.

It is just a tiny bit off. Tone is OK that is my issue not really equipment at this point.

Reed nothing harder than a Vandoran 3 either color. Alexander DC 3 same deal.

Selmer D, Link, Yani, Vandoran not happening.

Advice, really miss playing soprano and really enjoying it once again.

CB

 

[vonbraig]

Joe at Soprano Planet duh.........still wuold like to know

 

[RandyJ]

Well how long have you played a soprano? The Antigua's I've played all had really good intonation...especially for sopranos. If the horn is in good playing condition try a BARI HR or a Yamaha basic and start with a 1 1/2, 2 or 2 1/2 strength reed.

 

[Dave Dolson]

CB: Give us a better description of WHY the mouthpiece you are using won't come to pitch. For instance, in my experience, most soprano mouthpieces need to be shoved on pretty far to play to pitch (to find that "pitch center", if you will).

Is your cork too fat, preventing the piece from shoving on far enough? That is an obvious and easy fix. OR, is the mouthpiece's neck-receiver (the internal part of the barrel) too short, meaning that the top of the horn's neck is as far in as there is space in the barrel to receive it - e.g., "topping out" on the chamber entrance. I've had pieces like this and the only solution for me was to use a different mouthpiece.

My Antigua sop (590LQ, similar to a Yanagisawa S991) plays to pitch (and accurately from top to bottom) with a variety of pieces (like Selmer Super Sessions, Morgan Vintages, Link STMs, Runyon The Spolier, Yamaha 4c, Yanagisawa 5, etc.). but those are shoved pretty far on the cork. Personally, I have much better success with more open tips and softer reeds, but that is very personal, I know. DAVE

 

[vonbraig]

Dave & Randy,

I've been playing soprano for more than 20 years but took a break of about four to be exact. The mouthpiece I'm using is a Keilworth stock and it is pushed all the way on. G no octave is about 5 cents under all the time. A couple other notes a little flat. I can deal with sharp but flat is a problem. I did some recording today ad I like the sound I'm getting really pretty well for how rusty I am. I'll record some tomorrow and get some opinions on what the intonation sounds like.

 

[bruce bailey]

Not to repeat myself too much......I like the Yamaha 4C or even the more open ones. I have played soprano for 49 years and had about every brand (several VIs) and I use a 4C as my main mouthpiece. Before that I used a Selmer scroll D, S-80 D, Super Session, Link and a boxload of others. The 4C is cheap but made well and although easy to play, it has some guts and a good round sound. On horns such as a C soprano where intonation is iffy, I just keep it pushed in to tune the flattest notes and work the others down. Soprano is so different from alto and larger that it works well being tuned a bit sharp and hanging down on the pitch AND sound similar to playing oboe (four letter word). Worth a try.

 

[vonbraig]

True going to make a recording today so you guys can tell me what you think.

 

[vonbraig]

Here's a completly raw clip. Sounds a little high in places to me. Did not check with tuner not interested in that. Lots of things going on I understand will take considerable time after being off the horn four years and a completly new instrument and setup. Opinions?