Mouthpieces A bad workman...

[Ivan]

I have persevered with my old set-up for six months since returning to sax playing

The embouchure improves, the brain learns more scales and chords and the fingers just about follow but there's much fluff between the notes and intonation is temperamental. Each practice session is like a mini-wrestling match. Ivan vs. Tenor

Cue Pillinger NYTHB

It's like night and day

I'm finding it a little unnerving to play a sax that I feel I control rather than the other way around. The tone is marvelous and sends a rumble through my fillings, my legs and the floorboards. The notes are crisp and distinct.

So while a bad workman blames his tools the much repeated recommendation on this site to try out mouthpieces is good advice

I chose Pillinger because I wanted a mail order mouthpiece and because the brand is much lauded here for quality of craftsmanship, for quality of advice and good old fashioned helpfulness. Taking Ed Pillinger's advice I tried the NYT and the NYTHB. Both made a vast improvement, but the HB has more balls and rumble for me than t'other

I is very happy with my choice. Oh and Pillinger customer service is excellent

Now I understand first hand what a mouthpiece can achieve I'm saving my pennies for an alto mouthpiece... (it's not really GAS if it's an absolutely imperative purchase is it?)

 

[Bobby G]

Ivan, I can thoroughly recommend Pillinger as a mouthpiece choice for alto as I noted in a different thread recently. It does everything you want it to, including all the good bits of any other mouthpiece you may have, without the annoying bits. It's an easy way to immediately improve your playing, control and tone

 

[Ivan]

Ivan, I can thoroughly recommend Pillinger as a mouthpiece choice for alto as I noted in a different thread recently. It does everything you want it to, including all the good bits of any other mouthpiece you may have, without the annoying bits. It's an easy way to immediately improve your playing, control and tone

Yes I think that's pretty much where I'm headed

The alto used to be my No.1 instrument but now I just cannot tame it

 

[TimboSax]

Of course, there is a downside. I can no longer blame the mouthpiece...;}

 

[altissimo]

Of course, there is a downside. I can no longer blame the mouthpiece...;}

you'll just have to blame the reed instead.. 😉

 

[Nick Wyver]

I always blame the audience.

 

[altissimo]

I blame Adolphe Sax...

 

[Colin the Bear]

The revelation that the right mouthpiece brings is profound. Whatever the make, age, material. The first blow is good and as you warm to it, it just gets better.

Practice is more important than gear but what a joy practice becomes when it's easy and pleasurable, allowing you to concentrate on musical technique and not "don't squeak, don't honk, will it? won't it? It can't be me , I must have a leak."


The last one may be too much tea drinking. Which is what I blame.