[Confucio]

A long time ago i've been realizing a big difference on the tone from the classic/bop era and rock/free jazz tone. I'm not talking about growling at all, it is just that this old tone seens very smooth and breathy to me, in comparison from the tone of these newer groups, that seems more compreesed, tight, nasal, rubber-like sometimes. I'll post some examples of this kind of timbre and you guys tell me what's that tone all about (mouthpiece, embouchure, reed, air pressure), ok?

Start this video at 0:49:

And this one at 4:00

This one is from a brazilian band (Cidadão Instigado)
http://www.4shared.com/embed/479548688/b422dcc2

 

[empressdiver]

The mouthpiece that came to mind for me is a Dukoff. The weird noises are from a tight embouchure. Probably a harder reed. The timbre is probably produced by cutting off some of the undertones in studio editing. Overall, I don't like the grating noises or the timbre.

 

[Pitagoras]

Mouthpieces with a smaller chamber and/or higher baffle can help, but I think that it's more about tone concept than equipment.
If I were in your shoes, would work in long tones with the tone you want in mind.

 

[hgiles]

You mean, like this?

Gato Barbieri - Europa

Small chamber, high baffle would be my guess too. I actually like the fluffy pillow sound and I can't get either. At some point I am just going to take what I got and stop trying to alter the sound of my own voice.

 

[Confucio]

It's exactly the tone I'm talking about! And it's also Gato Barbieri in the first link I posted!

 

[Confucio]

Another example, Booker Ervin on tenor

 

[milandro]

the mouthpiece and reed choice is something that helps your tone production but ultimately two players can produce a very different tone with a similar set up.

I play on tenor with two rather high baffled mouthpiece (Ponzol M1 105 and Brancher J27) and with both I get more or less the same sound, my sound, which I wouldn't call too bright (although I like Gato Barbieri a lot and some of his sound concept and articulation is certainly present in my playing........I hope!).

Anyway you can certainly experiment with high baffle pieces.

Barbieri is an extreme case he uses a Berg Larsen metal (105? there is conflicting information on this) and a 1,5 reed. Most people would have problems controlling this set up, you really need and incredible breath control in order not to splatter your sound around into squeaks and breakages of the sound.

Beechler could also be a good choice

http://www.beechler.com/beechlermetals.htm

I would also go for an artificial reed something like a Hartmann or Hahn not too thick.

But the most important thing is your oral cavity and throat. Keep it small (which is the exact contrary you advise anybody who seeks a traditional Jazz sound). I bet you get a sound as the one that you are looking for. Just remember that it is not only the equipment but that you have to train your body to do something that it maybe wouldn't normally do (otherwise you would be doing this already). The mouthpiece/reed only help you towards this end.

 

[AltoMurder]

you might be biting, if it feels like your embouchure is really tight, then try loosening up

 

[saxplayr2000]

Bring back Getz!