Mouthpieces Ebonite to metal

[alto andy]

Hi just a thought from a new player what is the difference when you switch from h/r to metal . Is there more control and a lighter sound I wouldn't have a clue as I have a hr mouthpiece . If you could give me your experience of when any of you guys changed over or if you have changed back to hr . Any thoughts would be much valued 🙂

 

[TomMapfumo]

A metal mouthpiece is mainly smaller and colder so is almost like playing the HR equivalent of a smaller sax - I have had metal tenor mouthpieces about the same size as an HR soprano, so it will mean a change of embouchure, certainly, and may have a different effect on the sound produced but hard to generalise. It would be worth borrowing one to see what effect it has for you personally. I prefer HR as a material in my mouth and sometimes find metal pieces flatter/more angular.

 

[alto andy]

Cheers tom i will ask about and see what I can borrow I will probably stick with what I have but just curious what it might sound like .

 

[Nick Wyver]

They all sound different. Just like the various HR ones. There isn't a "metal" sound.

 

[aaronrod]

There is a bit of controversy as to whether material makes a difference - Pete Thomas actually has a thread on it on this forum - http://cafesaxophone.com/showthread.php?10091-Mouthpiece-material-sound-files-metal-vs-ebonite

I think the biggest difference will be the smaller embouchure required (as most metal mouthpieces are significantly smaller than most HR mouthpieces), and the feel of metal as compared to HR.

Personally, I've always used HR on alto (I tried a metal Dukoff once, but it just felt way too small). I've also tried metal, plastic and HR on baritone - I think I could go to metal if I found the right piece as I liked the size, but I am currently using a plastic piece (a Rico Metalite 5M).

Edit: HR also tends to be far less expensive, especially as you move up in sax size!