What's Your Classical Sound Setup?

What do you mean by a "bright" sound? Marcel Mule-era French? What kind of players play with the broad type of sound you're after?

saxman_aja said:

What do you mean by a "bright" sound? Marcel Mule-era French? What kind of players play with the broad type of sound you're after?

Click to expand...

I have no influences. I just need a classical sound.

I played my senior recital on the same S80 C* with Vandoren 3s or 31/2s that I play now.

I also like Rousseau mouthpieces. The Rascher school folks, I understand, prefer Rascher and Caravan mouthpieces.

bluesaxgirl said:

I have no influences. I just need a classical sound.

Click to expand...

To be quite direct, you'll need to get some influences, and your money will be better spent purchasing some CDs--Claude Delangle, Eugene Rousseau, John-Edward Kelly, etc. (check out the recommended classical Cds thread)
You'll need a goal sound in your mind's ear before the equipment can be utilized in any meaningful way. You can get a classical sound (as if there were only one) on almost anything if you have the right concept. Same for your jazz mpc thread. Listen for six months with no change of equipment and strive to emulate the sounds that you hear. Best of all, except for a few CDs and lots of your time, this process is absolutely FREE!
Good luck!

bluesaxgirl said:

I have no influences. I just need a classical sound.

Click to expand...

The classical sound comes mostly from the player, not the mouthpiece. Listening and practicing is the primary route to the sound you want.

I use an 82Z alto for everything, with either a Morgan Vintage 5 or a Sumner Acousticut, but am starting to realize that the Morgan gives me everything I need for Jazz and Classical. I'm no pro, but that's what I play.

Get yourself a Selmer S80 C* or Vandoren Optimum and start listening. Those CD's listed above will help you achieve the sound you hear in your head.

As for a "dark jazz" sound, your S80 C* or Vandoren Optimum should work just fine...again, it'll be all about listening to the players you wish to emulate. Perhaps a different reed will help.

I had no problem playing classical saxophone with a S80 C*...and the next second I could turn around and sound like Paul Desmond. It's all about breath support, articulation, and embouchure control.

Good luck!

Saxaholic

Look at my signature. You really have what you need already. If you've got money burning a hole in your pocket, go get a V5. Nice and inexpensive and it comes in plenty of tip openings and facings.

I would just work with what you have, though. I have an S80 I can sell you, but nothing is really as good as a Yanagisawa 5 and some practice.

The best thing you could buy is a classical saxophone CD. I have one from Delangle called Historic Saxophone which is mind-boggling.

I would suggest an S90. It is a brighter mouthpiece and it isn't hard to get a "french" sound out of it.

All i can say, is jazz sound and classical sound is mostly about embouchure.

bluesaxgirl said:

I am interested in two sounds of the sax. A dark jazz sound and a classical.

Click to expand...

I've always thought that most "jazz" players are on the brighter side and that the "classical" sound tends to be much darker. I'm not saying its always that way... thats just my experience.

oh, and my setup is listed below, but I agree.... equipment doesn't really make your sound brighter or darker.... your physical makeup and mindset of what sound you want makes your sound. Equipment only comes into play once you are set on how you want to play and play that way consistently.