[Giganova]

Hi all --

I just got my first soprano saxophone (LA-625) and are in need of a good mouthpiece. Since I know nothing about soprano saxophones or mpcs, I was wondering which mpc could give me a similar "feel" like with my tenor setup. I have been playing a Keilwerth SX90R tenor with a Barone Jazz 7*.

In particular, what tip openings are recommended? On tenor, I like mouthpieces with a tip opening of 7* or 8. I'd be happy if you could help me out. Also, feel free to shoot me a PM if you have a soprano mpc that needs a new home. I need one quick!

 

[J.Max]

Always a tough one...I'm going to give you the standard piece of advice here...try a bunch of different ones. The Selmer Super Sessions are popular, as are the Baris and I personally love my Barone. It really depends on the type of music that you are playing, your level, and what type of sound you are going for...

 

[bruce bailey]

You really need to try a few. I use a Super Session in an E facing which is my favorite. I have used the S-80 in a D and my next choice would be Vandoren. If you really like the Barone, try one of his. Soprano is pretty forgiving on mouthpieces and I feel most people can work with various facings whereas on alto and tenor the tip tends to need to be just right for the player. I fyou have the bucks, try a Morgan.

 

[gelliot2]

I'd also add the Runyon Quantum metal to the list (size 7 in my case). The shallow beak takes some getting used to but it's a wonderful playing piece on sop.

 

[MojoBari]

Years ago I was trying to get a similar "feel" on sop sax as my tenor/bari by trying wide tip opening mouthpieces. I was trying to push the same amount of air through the little sax. Intonation control was wild all over the place. My octaves were out of tune.

I found that I could tame the little beast if I used a tip opening no larger than .065" and I used the mouthpiece target pitch to set my embouchure. Paul Coats has several articles on embouchure and playing sop sax. I deal with all the excess air I have in my lungs by leaking some out the sides of the mouthpiece like oboe players do. Its only an issue when playing long written passages like in a pit orchestra.

So I recommend you approach sop sax as its own unique instrument to get the most out of it.

 

[elguapo]

I recently got a V16 (65 tip) and have been very happy with it. Nice full sound compared to the JJ MPC that I had been using.

 

[Chris J]

I would put a vote in to stay in the "Barone family" of mouthpieces. I have a Barone Vintage #7 (0.065) - it blew the Morgan out of the water.

Open high notes, easy low notes and good in between - couldn't really want for more....

 

[Giganova]

Thank you all for your suggestions! I will try some of these mpc out (like the V16 and the Selmer models). I am especially interested in the Barone HR Vintage because I loved every single Barone tenor mpc I have been playing in the past, and the Vintage model is not too expensive (soprano is not my main horn so I don't want to invest too much money).

How are the Otto Link STM on sopranos?

 

[barisaxbeast]

I'll go along with Chris J. I've tried Selmers, Vandoren and the like over the years but my Barone Vintage 7* is the business.

 

[patseguin]

If it's within your means, play a Jody Jazz DV. I'll likely never play another soprano piece again.

 

[TJS]

How are the Otto Link STM on sopranos?

I don't know about STM on soprano but I'm playing a stock Tone Edge and like it a lot.

 

[Martinman]

How are the Otto Link STM on sopranos?

Depending on what you want to sound like, really good or really really really bad.

 

[hakukani]

I would put a vote in to stay in the "Barone family" of mouthpieces. I have a Barone Vintage #7 (0.065) - it blew the Morgan out of the water.

Open high notes, easy low notes and good in between - couldn't really want for more....

Just getting aquainted with my Barone Vintage 6 today. Me likee, I tink. Nice beak, not too bright, good projection. Putting my selmer piece away for awhile...

 

[J.Max]

How are the Otto Link STM on sopranos?

I'll go ahead and say it...and I know that this may sound a bit blasphemous...I hate them. People always tend to sound like Coltrane with them, which is great if you want to sound that way, but you'll be limited in the type of music that you can play. (Don't get me wrong...I love 'Trane's IDEAS on soprano, just not his sound, which is a bit closed off for me. I like Lacy and even Liebman's soprano sound better than Coltrane's) They also have the same quality problems that all Links seem to have. (BTW, I'm aware that Coltrane used a Selmer metal E)

 

[bruce bailey]

Well there you have it; almost every popular brand except Meyer mentioned. This is why you need to sit down and try a half dozen brands, then try a few tips within the selected brands. You may want to look at a tip comparison chart to get an idea of what you want as a starting point.

 

[Giganova]

Well there you have it; almost every popular brand except Meyer mentioned. This is why you need to sit down and try a half dozen brands, then try a few tips within the selected brands. You may want to look at a tip comparison chart to get an idea of what you want as a starting point.

Hearing what others think is still very useful for me to narrow down my search. This, of course, cannot replace going to a store and playing some mpcs. Unfortunately, there is not a single decent woodwind store in my area (DC). The store I went to yesterday only had some Selmer HR models, and they were not cheap (around $160). I'd prefer a metal mpc but none of the stores had any.

 

[J.Max]

Hearing what others think is still very useful for me to narrow down my search. This, of course, cannot replace going to a store and playing some mpcs. Unfortunately, there is not a single decent woodwind store in my area (DC). The store I went to yesterday only had some Selmer HR models, and they were not cheap (around $160). I'd prefer a metal mpc but none of the stores had any.

Use WWBW's trial policy. Just be careful with them.

 

[Jazz House]

I'd also add the Runyon Quantum metal to the list (size 7 in my case). The shallow beak takes some getting used to but it's a wonderful playing piece on sop.

I have a Runyon plastic quantum. I know that it´s hard to get used to it. It is REALLY thin. What I do is stick two BG 6mm patches on it. Works fine

 

[Harri Rautiainen]

....................................

I found that I could tame the little beast if I used a tip opening no larger than .065" and I used the mouthpiece target pitch to set my embouchure. Paul Coats has several articles on embouchure and playing sop sax.
....................................................

Start from here: Soprano Saxophone and Intonation

 

[Raphyel]

I recently switched to an SR tech metal soprano......I dont sound like a snake charmer anymore...YEEEEESSSS!!!! I had been on a Vandoren s35 and I was really tired of the sound...super dark...*THE INCHWORM* kinda sound...I wanted more projection and a brighter tone and now I have it.