Mouthpieces At last found a tenor mouthpiece I like

[Andante cantabile]

I have struggled to find a mouthpiece for the tenor, but I recently bought a Vandoren T20, and that is just right for me. Where I live it isn't really possible to test mouthpieces in a shop. So I had to work out in other ways what might be right.

I much prefer softer reeds. In my case the T20 seems to go well with Legere Signature #2, standard Legere #2 and Fibracell medium-soft. I have't tried any others yet.

The biggest improvement in playability has occurred in the case of the 82z, and I suspect that a slightly bigger tip opening might be better again, but that can wait. Things are alright now.

Bear in mind that I only play classical music.

 

[kevgermany]

This is good news! Frustrating when things don't work as well as you'd like!

 

[Two Voices]

Nice when a plan comes together! The hunts on for me to find the perfect mouthpiece for my tenor. Like you can't get to a big shop to try out various mouthpieces so I have to research in a different way!

 

[bariandyf]

Hi Paul - I recently bought a Morgan Excalibur for my Mark VI tenor, and wow, what a mouthpiece. I like a smaller size mouthpiece in my mouth, and the Excalibur has the profile of an alto HR piece. It can play lush, smooth, punchy, anything, and the bell notes sub toned are really something else.

 

[Andante cantabile]

Nice when a plan comes together! The hunts on for me to find the perfect mouthpiece for my tenor. Like you can't get to a big shop to try out various mouthpieces so I have to research in a different way!

It can be done, but it needs a lot of weighing up of comments people have made. I have discovered that much can depend on the saxophone itself. The Phil Vintage is much more amenbale to all sorts of mouthpieces than the 82z.

Very nice website you have. Clear and attractive design.

 

[Two Voices]

It can be done, but it needs a lot of weighing up of comments people have made. I have discovered that much can depend on the saxophone itself. The Phil Vintage is much more amenbale to all sorts of mouthpieces than the 82z.

That's seems like the process that I'm going through at the moment for a Tenor Mouthpiece! Not going to rush it like I've done in the past as it's an expensive game!

Very nice website you have. Clear and attractive design.

Thanks! It took me a while to work out the design! Still very much work in progress though!

 

[Andante cantabile]

I now also have acquired a Vandoren T35. Its tip opening is 2.30mm. I really hesitated for a long time before getting this since it is well above the TOs I normally use (in the scheme of things, this TO is actually still on the smaller side). I really am amazed at how easy it is to play with it. I thought the T20 was good, but this seems to suit me even better in terms of dynamic possibilities.

As always, this post should not be regarded as making or implying a recommendation. It works for me, but it may be useless for others.

 

[baritonesax]

Glad to hear you've settled on something. My own thoughts on the hunt for a perfect mouthpiece is not to waste much time and money on it. I've been through loads of mouthpieces, particularly for tenor, and I wish I had been more methodical to begin with and had been less impressionable when trying other mouthpieces.

To be sure, one's playing style (and embouchure) can change over time and changes to your setup are OK, but you can drive yourself nuts about mouthpieces. I started using a Vandoren V16 T95 about 4 years ago and decided that that was that... any changes/improvements to my tone and timbre were going to "come from within" rather than from a new mouthpiece.

Anyway, now that you have a mouthpiece that suits, stick with it for as long as you can.

 

[kevgermany]

Good to hear. Enjoy!

 

[Andante cantabile]

Glad to hear you've settled on something. My own thoughts on the hunt for a perfect mouthpiece is not to waste much time and money on it. I've been through loads of mouthpieces, particularly for tenor, and I wish I had been more methodical to begin with and had been less impressionable when trying other mouthpieces.

To be sure, one's playing style (and embouchure) can change over time and changes to your setup are OK, but you can drive yourself nuts about mouthpieces. I started using a Vandoren V16 T95 about 4 years ago and decided that that was that... any changes/improvements to my tone and timbre were going to "come from within" rather than from a new mouthpiece.

Anyway, now that you have a mouthpiece that suits, stick with it for as long as you can.

I am sure that the T95 is not for the fainthearted, and certainly not for anyone still struggling with an aspect of the basics. It obviously suits you well.

I sometimes wonder why it seems so much harder to find a good mouthpiece for the tenor. When I still had the baritone, I worked out that the BL3 would perfect for me, and it was. Mind you, I later discovered that the Yamaha 5C that came with it was good also. So, maybe it was more a case of an easier instrument to match with a mouthpiece.

I can't see myself changing from the T35. It felt good from the start, and it still feels good now. I combine it with a Legere Signature #2. As I work myself through the study material the phrases keep getting longer, and this combination seems to give me good endurance.