Mouthpieces Fighting my Alto MP

[Luluna]

I had been using a Selmer Soloist Alto MP (E) with a soft to medium soft reed with great success. Lately, I feel like I am fighting it - the resistance makes me feel like my eyes are going to pop out of my head.

I am playing it in Jazz Ensemble and would really like to feel more flow.

Any suggestions? I have tried multiple reed combinations with no success. Time for a new MP??? Is it possible to outgrow them? I have played bari almost exclusive for the past 2 years in 2 different bands. Could my lung capacity have changed that much?

Perplexed.

Was looking at this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Vandoren-SM50...52487504&sr=8-17&keywords=alto+sax+mouthpiece

 

[jonf]

Thoughts:

Not lung capacity (quite the opposite) but embouchure that's changed.

Never played a Soloist, but had a Selmer S80, and it was like blowing through a sock.

Vandoren Java's are very nice mouthpieces.

Jon

 

[kevgermany]

Had a simliar problem. Eventually solved it with a Morgan. And that was when I only had tenor and alto. Haven't felt the need to change, even with soprano and bari as well.

 

[Colin the Bear]

I like the S80 on baritone. Nice fat tone. I have a C* and use a vandoren classic blue 3.5 or 4.

I had some sucess with a Rico metalite M7 on Sop and invested in one for the Bari and tenor. Very easy to blow bright and loud on all three. A nice alternative sound to have in your case. Cheap too.

I wouldn't spend a large amount without trying it first. Is $109 a lot of money?

 

[Luluna]

Thoughts:

Not lung capacity (quite the opposite) but embouchure that's changed.

Never played a Soloist, but had a Selmer S80, and it was like blowing through a sock.

Vandoren Java's are very nice mouthpieces.

Jon

It IS like blowing through a sock!

$109 is a little pricier than most, but since I am playing it regularly in jazz ensemble now, I am desperate to find something that doesn't make me feel like a puffer fish.

Thanks everyone for your feedback

 

[jonf]

$109 is a little pricier than most,

A lot cheaper than here, where they're about £120, which is about $190!

 

[Di in France]

It's funny, I've just found a beat up old S80 E Alto in my box, can't remember where it came from, but it's so free blowing with a full, rich sound. I've switched from a Super Session E as I like it better. I use Java 2's on it though so, perhaps a softer reed than you're using?

 

[Greg Strange]

Another mouthpiece to consider...

http://shop.weinermusic.com/ROUSSEAU-JAZZ-JDX-ALTO-SAX-MOUTHPIECE/productinfo/MRAX/DX8/

The largest tip opening, the JDX8 is the equivalent of approx. Meyer 6 about 76 thous. They appear to be a bit cheaper than the Vandoren mouthpieces.

They also do another jazz mouthpiece called the Studio Jazz model.

Regards,

Greg S.

 

[TomMapfumo]

You need to be aware that Selmer mouthpieces are often in need of some custom work to improve the sound/playability/resistance.
It may be an idea to look up possible refacers such as Phil-Tone who charges $95. If you fancy a treat then Mouthpiece Cafe are currently doing an offer on their mouthpieces through November and the Alto Espresso mouthpiece is a very high class version of a Selmer Soloist (for $200, rather than the usual $250). Also the Clark Fobes Debut is excellent if on the other side of the spectrum at $36 - http://www.wwbw.com/Clark-W-Fobes-Debut-Student-Alto-Saxophone-Mouthpiece-471448-i1427847.wwbw I have them both and they play very well indeed. Or you could try my other favourite cheapie - the Bari Esprit II Alto -which can be bought for about $15. I also have one of these!

Not forgetting the famous Runyon 22 mouthpiece which Charlie Parker used regularly throughout his career - less than $30 will suffice!

 

[MMM]

Another mouthpiece to consider...

http://shop.weinermusic.com/ROUSSEAU-JAZZ-JDX-ALTO-SAX-MOUTHPIECE/productinfo/MRAX/DX8/

The largest tip opening, the JDX8 is the equivalent of approx. Meyer 6 about 76 thous. They appear to be a bit cheaper than the Vandoren mouthpieces.

They also do another jazz mouthpiece called the Studio Jazz model.

Regards,

Greg S.

I've been using a Rousseau JDX6 on alto and at the price I think it's hard to beat! Low baffle gives plenty of volume and body, cannot figure why these are not more popular. I have to be careful though, it is so forgiving it will play any badly adjusted saxophone (which is not good if you're play testing customer's horns)!
Of course another choice is the old favourite Meyer... I believe these are MUCH cheaper in the US.
Cheers,

 

[Greg Strange]

I've been using a Rousseau JDX6 on alto and at the price I think it's hard to beat! Low baffle gives plenty of volume and body, cannot figure why these are not more popular. I have to be careful though, it is so forgiving it will play any badly adjusted saxophone (which is not good if you're play testing customer's horns)!
Of course another choice is the old favourite Meyer... I believe these are MUCH cheaper in the US.
Cheers,

Good call with the Meyer a firm favourite among alto players - I played one for about 12 years before switching to the Rousseau JDX8 - I wanted a Meyer sound with a bit of a edge. I also play a Studio Jazz SJ6 on soprano. The only Rousseau mouthpiece I don't get on with is a Studio Jazz SJ4 on tenor - terrible thing - ironically enough it won't work on my 62 series Yamaha tenor as well which Eugene Rousseau helped design as chief consultant for Yamaha - you would thing if there was one tenor on the planet it would work on it would be the Yamaha - what the f...!:shocked:

Anyway back to the thread...here's a link that may help...WWBW good range

http://www.wwbw.com/Alto-Saxophone-Mouthpieces-Saxophone-Mouthpieces.wwbw

Beechler hard rubber mouthpieces might be good to try as well - the M chamber (medium) ones may be a bit more user friendly in a jazz ensemble than the S chamber (small or screamer?) ones.

Cheers,

Greg S.

P.S. Everything's cheaper in the States - Selmer (Paris) Solosit D alto mouthpieces in NZ sell for between just under NZD400.00 (GBP200.00) to just under NZD500.00 (GBP250.00) - rip off - if it has the magical 'S' name the price goes up in leaps and bounds. Don't get me started on the price of their saxophones in NZ...