Alto mpc Question

[jeremyjuicewah]

I have a mouthpiece for the alto which was given to me. I do not know what it is but it makes a very nice sound. The problem is it is considerabley harder to blow through than other mpcs I have. Does that come from being baffled? I have no idea if it is or not.
MIke

 

[kevgermany]

I guess what you're referring to is resistance. Some mouthpieces have more resistance than others, and some guys like a lot, others don't.

Some interesting info on baffles/tips here, but it doesn't answer your question:

http://www.theowanne.com/mouthpieces101/baffle.php

 

[kevgermany]

but I found this...

http://cafesaxophone.com/archive-breakfastroom/index.cgi?fid=17&topic_id=1197072415

 

[TomMapfumo]

Mouthpieces are usually harder to blow because they have a larger tip opening than you can comfortably manage with the reeds that you are using. On alto I mostly play pieces between 0.076" and 0.080" and I use 2 1/2 reeds. If I used 3 reeds I would struggle a little to sustain a good sound. Similarly if my mouthpiece had a bigger tip opening - more than 0.090" - then I would find it tough playing a 2 1/2 reed.

On the other hand I have a Jumbo Java A55 mouthpiece which is 0.097" but it playable on my 2 1/2 reeds as it has quite a large baffle.

May be an idea to try lighter reeds on the mouthpiece that you like. On the other hand not all mouthpieces are well made so resistance can be due to workmanship/design issues.