[woshiphp124a]

Hello everybody!
I have a series III 125 alto saxophone..
I am going to buy a new mouthpiece..
so, the first question is : which mouthpiece is good for 125 if i am playing classical music.

Question 2: which mouthpiece can make 125 sounds more like a jazz horn..
:lick::albino:

 

[Dave Dolson]

38 views and no replies. Hmmm . . . maybe there isn't an answer to your question, except for us to go through the same mouthpiece recommendations that everyone makes to the myriad of similar questions asked on SOTW about the same thing.

First of all, what is a "125" model? I know Selmer adds some additional numbers to their models (but rarely uses those numbers except in catalogs) and few of us can follow the continuing onslaught of model designators. To me, a Serie III is sufficient for me to know generally what you have. Did a mouthpiece come with it? If you bought it new, I'm assuming it did. What was it?

What are you using on it now? And, what are you missing on your current set-up or the supplied mouthpiece (which are usually decent pieces from Selmer) that you think you could improve upon?

In my experience, the Serie III is a VERY bright alto, much more so than the Serie II and especially the Ref 54. So, you may want to look at mouthpieces that will take some edge and brightness off your alto. But that is a very personal decision and one that only you can make.

As far as classic music as opposed to jazz, I don't believe it matters, but others will probably disagree. I'm one to think that once you choose a mouthpiece/reed combination that you like (and is in tune with little need for control), then you can push any kind of music you want to push through it. Good tone is good tone regardless of whether you are playing jazz or classical or swing or R&B, etc.

So there's a start . . . DAVE

 

[dexdex]

Quick and easy answer ? Selmer S80 for a dark, even and balanced tone. Selmer Super Session, Vandoren V16 or Meyer for more punch. But, you can play the latter very smoothly if you want, choosing the right reed.

Dave, 125 stands for Selmer's 125th anniversary. Depending on the model, it includes special engravings, special lacquers or even improved (?) necks. They are priced higher, which gives them some exclusivity, and extra € for Selmer.

 

[Sigmund451]

There is a broad range of colors and timbres used in classical. You need to clarify how dark you would like to be. More information regarding this will be helpful.

In terms of what will make it sound like a jazz horn...most any piece used for jazz.
Who do you like?
What sound concept are you leaning towards?
Jazz is played on many different pieces depending on the interpretation and musical taste of the player.

Jazz is not so much a sound as it is an idea. That is why it is Jazz.

This is much like the young pupil asking the Zen Master "What is Zen"
The Master answers, "Zen is the cypress tree in the garden".

 

[bandmommy]

Blunt response...

Take your horn to your nearest music shop. Play every mouthpiece they have in your price range. Buy the one you like the best. Take it home and practice playing "In the style of what ever the heck it is you want to play."

 

[saxmusicguy]

Blunt response...

Take your horn to your nearest music shop. Play every mouthpiece they have in your price range. Buy the one you like the best. Take it home and practice playing "In the style of what ever the heck it is you want to play."

Where are all these well-stocked music shops I keep reading about?

 

[Sigmund451]

My loft

 

[Dave Dolson]

dexdex; Thanks for the clarification on "125". Just another example of a poster's unclear writing style. DAVE

 

[Dr G]

I have a series III 125 alto saxophone..

Why?

 

[CarlHeanerd]

Can't go wrong with Bandmommy's advice! If you don't have access to a shop, try a mouthpiece trial period from Weiner Music or Woodwind and Brasswind. They both have websites, give them a all.

The Vandoren V16, Selmer Super Session, and Meyer mouthpieces are all great candidates for a traditional jazz tone.
The Vandoren AL3 or AL4, Larry Teal, and Selmer SD20 are my recommendations for a "classical" alto mouthpiece.

Lets not forget that Phil-Tone (Sigmund451) has great stuff too! :mrgreen:

 

[saxmusicguy]

Why?

Why do you ask "why"?

 

[bandmommy]

Why do you ask "why"?

Because the good Dr G is strictly a TENOR player. That's why.

 

[bandmommy]

Can't go wrong with Bandmommy's advice! If you don't have access to a shop, try a mouthpiece trial period from Weiner Music or Woodwind and Brasswind. They both have websites, give them a all.

The Vandoren V16, Selmer Super Session, and Meyer mouthpieces are all great candidates for a traditional jazz tone.
The Vandoren AL3 or AL4, Larry Teal, and Selmer SD20 are my recommendations for a "classical" alto mouthpiece.

Lets not forget that Phil-Tone (Sigmund451) has great stuff too! :mrgreen:

Thanks 'Kiddo'.
On alto I only use one mouthpiece, a Rousseau 4R, for EVERYTHING. For poops and giggles I swap brand/cuts of reeds or maybe use a Rovner ligature instead of the generic metal 2 screw.

Once in a while I'll goof around with some of the other mouthpieces in my case, but when it's GO TIME... It has to be the Rousseau.

 

[saxmusicguy]

Because the good Dr G is strictly a TENOR player. That's why.

He expressed interested in this alto thread, though.

On alto I only use one mouthpiece, a Rousseau 4R, for EVERYTHING.

I thought you switched to the C-Melody mouthpiece on alto.

 

[bandmommy]

I didn't say I switched. I said I was concidering switching. It's not a definate yet.

 

[CarlHeanerd]

I've heard the Rousseaus, they are quite versatile.

I'm sure Bandmommy sounds great too! Lets not forget that the fleshy thing behind the mouthpiece plays a bigger role in "classical" or "jazz" sounds. My professor actually advocates using an AL3 for just about everything, only switching to an old A101 if she needs the projection.

 

[bandmommy]

Old BM sounds just 'OK'.
I've got a Christmas concert this Saturday. If I can talk my husband into running the camcorder and I can borrow my daughters' faster internet/laptop I'll put a couple of pieces up on youTube.
Just cuz' I'm old don't mean I'm good!

 

[dexdex]

The never ending discussion about jazz vs classic isn't so much about what music you play, but rather how far you want to be able to push your horn, in terms of projection, tone edge, pitch bend. The "jazz" mps make your life easier if you're after that. A good old C* will do fine if you don't need or want it.

 

[saxmusicguy]

I've got a Christmas concert this Saturday.

Which tunes are you playing?

 

[bandmommy]

Too many to list here. Community band you see.
I do have a little alto solo in the middle of a vocal piece called "A Quiet Celebration" written by a local performer, a 'jazzed up' version of 'Here Comes Santa Claus' on clarinet, I got the music for that today. And handle the bari part rather poorly in a mixed quintet on 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas'.
I haven't touched my bari in nearly a year. My 'son-in-law' has it and plays it in the community band.