Back in junior high, I played Bari in the jazz band. It was an old beat up instrument but I have fond memories of the mouthpiece. It was an Otto link tone edge of unknown facing. I've recently switched to the other side of the sax spectrum(Soprano) and was wondering if anyone had an opinion on whether or not my good experience with the Otto on Bari would suggest that it would work well on my future Soprano.
This will sound unusual but....
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I assumed that people would know I meant the soprano version of the mouthpiece. I wasn't thinking about how unusual it could get.
Although.... I do wonder how any bari mouthpiece would sound on a soprano. I imagine a sound like the "Breathy tenor" sound on most electric pianos. That would be a neat experiment.
Although.... I do wonder how any bari mouthpiece would sound on a soprano. I imagine a sound like the "Breathy tenor" sound on most electric pianos. That would be a neat experiment.
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Get a Yamaha 4C and it will be fine on the soprano. I used a Link on bari years ago but the new ones for soprano don't do it for me.
Grafton + TH & C alto || Naked Lady 10M || TT soprano || Martin Comm III
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I also assumed you meant putting the baritone mouthpiece on a soprano.
No, there is no reason why because a certain make or model works on one saxophone for you, that it will apply to others. You need to try out mouthpieces and then you can make an informed decision.
No, there is no reason why because a certain make or model works on one saxophone for you, that it will apply to others. You need to try out mouthpieces and then you can make an informed decision.
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5,494 Posts
Yep,
There's no reason expect a Link to work the same on the soprano; none at all. Most players have to go though several mouthpieces before finding the one that works best for them. This is one of the hardest aspects of developing your soprano sound.
There's no reason expect a Link to work the same on the soprano; none at all. Most players have to go though several mouthpieces before finding the one that works best for them. This is one of the hardest aspects of developing your soprano sound.
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924 Posts
Old otto links for soprano are expensive. This week i bought Son of slant which is a remake of those old otto links by Drake. Only one word: Fantastic!
That is the mouthpiece i currently use. I don't like the sound because it sounds too much like an oboe on the Selmer Series 3. I was looking for a more dark rich kind of tone. I know most of the problem is me but I want a mouthpiece that will help me along a little bit.
I agree, you'll likely need to try out a few (perhaps more than a few) before you may get something that may be in the ballpark for you, tone and response wise. This appears even more true for soprano mpcs than for the larger horns. Agree also with the possible suggestion of a Drake 'Son of Slant' for a darker soprano sound - this is what I'm using primarily, for the same reason. Morgan 'Vintage' model may also work for you, at a lesser expense. But many other models work equally well for others. You'll just have to try some out. This seems part of the learning/growing process on soprano sax. Also, Joe Giardullo at 'Soprano Planet' is always an excellent resource re: soprano mpcs.
One recommendation, if you don't have a developed soprano emboucher, which sounds the case......start out with a reasonably modest tip size initially, perhaps about .055 (+ or -). May save you a lot of grief and wasted effort.
Good luck, and enjoy......
'museman'
That is what I thought people would think is the weird part but no. They try to put a bari mouthpiece on a soprano.For me the unusual part is jumping from bari to soprano! Is that even legal??
I would also like to thank everyone who contributed and I will try to take all of this into consideration. I'm probably still a couple of months out from actually purchasing but I will try and post the result if I remember.
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That will depend on the soprano. I play a Conn soprano with a rubber Link. If you play a Selmer, Yamaha or Yanagisawa soprano, a mouthpiece with a tighter throat (like Yamaha 4C or Selmer soloist) works better. The Link makes an excellent soprano piece for vintage American sopranos as well as SML, Keilwerth and R&C.
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I would still say alto is my main instrument but in my dabbling in altissimo, I've developed what my peers consider to be a very tight, controlled embouchure (I think that's how you spell it?) which they think is perfect for soprano so now I'm getting all of the parts for it.
Even though I should definitely try out other mouthpieces, is there any reason I shouldn't give the link a shot?
Even though I should definitely try out other mouthpieces, is there any reason I shouldn't give the link a shot?
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906 Posts
There is no reason that your experience with the Link on a bari will have any relation to a Link on soprano. You can certainly start with a Link 5, say, but I would recommend that you start from scratch. A Yamaha 4C or 5C is a fine mouthpiece to begin with. It costs under $25, is easy to play, and should not be judged by how inexpensive it is. If, after months of getting to know the piece, restlessness or curiosity or whatever begins to gnaw at you, go try a Link or a Selmer (S80 or Super Session), or any brand that tempts you. But, whichever piece you choose, give it time to become part of you. Sound, resistance, ease of playing, feel and comfort are all considerations when picking a mouthpiece, and each variable takes time to realize and assess.
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Since you put it that way..... No.
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