Mouthpieces High Notes and mouthpieces

[Moz]

My high notes, high d and upwards, on the tenor sax are a bit thin. I get low notes and bell tones as I like them. It has been suggested that a change of mouthpiece might improve my higher register tone and I wonder if this is the case.

Before I go out trying mouthpieces I might not need, does anyone have suggestions as to how I might make my higher notes more solid. I use a Yani 901 with supplied mpc (a 6 opening), Rico Jazz Select strength 3 medium unfiled. I have used softer reeds but find that I close the opening sometimes and get no note at all if I do that of course.

For an example of the sound I get (not in the high notes) have a listen to "Sod It" and Dreamscape (sax starts after two minutes) on http://www.myspace.com/baxtersharp (sorry in advance for the bum notes but it's only for an example). There are a couple of high notes in there which show what I mean.

(with apologies for the piano playing)

Cheers

Moz

 

[Jules]

Stuff like this tends to be so personal that it's very hard to make any recommendations. for a general quick fix- harder reeds = stronger high notes. But, yes, certain mouthpieces will have the effect of beefing up the higher registers, in general this is probably metal ones... off the top of my head a Yanagisawa metal would probably do it for you, in that they're well balanced on Yani horns and great all rounders. But best option, try some out and see what works for you...

 

[Saxlicker]

Moz,
I like your tunes and I'm a fine one to talk but how is your diaphragm, breath and open throat control?

Concious efforts to achieve the same air flow from bottom to top and vice versa when you play a scale will prove whether your mouthpiece is partly to blame.

No doubt, its easier initially to concentrate on the air flow during scales than during playing tunes so little by little eh?
Don't forget! relaxed but firm embouchure.

 

[Moz]

PS Are all metal mouthpieces slim because I think slim would suit my embouchure better than the fat plastic ones? Is there a difference between rubber and ebonite or are they the same thing? Damn, why didn't I take up the jews harp there is so much choice with a saxophone?!

Moz

 

[Pete Thomas]

All metal mouthpieces that I know of are slim.

And yes, ebonite is hard rubber I think.

 

[griff136]

You can also get slim ebonite mouthpieces - Runyon, berg larsen, jody jazz etc

 

[philthd]

but the runyon and jodyjazz are a different formulation synthetic rubberised plastic substance that isnt technically the same thing, arent they