Mouthpieces Is a 'pro class' mpc more difficult to play for the inexperienced?

[Rogerb]

Assuming that I got, say, a Lamberson/RPC/JJ DV, with the same tip size as my current Vandoren mpc (0.075"), is there any reason why I should find it harder to play?

One is frequently advised to "Develop your chops before getting a 'better' mpc !".
I just wondered if there is any reason for this, apart from the possibility that after more practice one might be able to handle a wider tip, and could, therefore, 'outgrow' one's expensive replacement.

Some of these mpcs are described as 'very free-blowing' and 'suitable for all players' .... sounds ideal for the 'inexperienced' 🙂

 

[lee_]

This would be my opinion only, and I think others may reasonably disagree.

I would say, no, it likely wouldn't be any harder to play. (Again, we're presuming you are not taking a "giant tip opening" jump.)

What I think you may find is that a vastly upgraded mouthpiece, like an RPC, can sound really thin and mousy. You may be initially very disappointed.

But remember that it can also sound full and rich . . . also gut rippingly edgy . . . also purr like a kitten. And can get very loud.

The reason is that the so-called "pro" mouthpieces seem to be designed to mimick what the player is doing with their boccal cavity. (I'm talking about assuming different shapes, as you do when you say "A", E", "I", "O" or "U"). This is what gives the player the variety that he needs.

On the other hand, most beginnerish mouthpieces seem to be designed to give you a reasonably workable, easy sound, no matter what the player is doing behind it.

For this reason, I would think the so-called "pro" piece would be an excellent training device for someone who wants to work through all that throat/palate shaping stuff.

Of course, we're kinda talking in generalities here, as there will be specific to be considered, such as baffle height, etc. I think some "pro" mouthpieces are marketed for people who need to play really loud ("cut through", as they say), so they might not be ideal for somebody who plays at home a lot and has close neighbors.


Which Vandoran are you using? What do you like and not like about it?

 

[Bobby G]

Right, Lee. I didn't have much trouble going from my 4c to HR pieces like the Selmer D or Link 5, but I think the tip openings are broadly similar. I don't even know if these are 'pro' Mpc's, so much as 'an advancement on a beginner's mpc'; they didn't cost hundreds of pounds like some. I got them because I liked the sound they gave me. Since getting used to them I find they are quite malleable, sonically (pretentious, moi?), more so as I have used them more.

Roger, I would say from my small experience that you will encounter most difficulty if you a) jump too far on the tip size, or b) move over to a metal mouthpiece, these seem to take some getting used to, I imagine because of the radical difference in profile when compared to a HR piece.

Cheers, Bob

 

[Rogerb]

Lee wrote:
This would be my opinion only, and I think others may reasonably disagree.

I would say, no, it likely wouldn't be any harder to play. (Again, we're presuming you are not taking a "giant tip opening" jump.)

What I think you may find is that a vastly upgraded mouthpiece, like an RPC, can sound really thin and mousy. You may be initially very disappointed.

But remember that it can also sound full and rich . . . also gut rippingly edgy . . . also purr like a kitten. And can get very loud.

The reason is that the so-called "pro" mouthpieces seem to be designed to mimick what the player is doing with their boccal cavity. (I'm talking about assuming different shapes, as you do when you say "A", E", "I", "O" or "U"). This is what gives the player the variety that he needs.

On the other hand, most beginnerish mouthpieces seem to be designed to give you a reasonably workable, easy sound, no matter what the player is doing behind it.

For this reason, I would think the so-called "pro" piece would be an excellent training device for someone who wants to work through all that throat/palate shaping stuff.

Of course, we're kinda talking in generalities here, as there will be specific to be considered, such as baffle height, etc. I think some "pro" mouthpieces are marketed for people who need to play really loud ("cut through", as they say), so they might not be ideal for somebody who plays at home a lot and has close neighbors.


Which Vandoren are you using? What do you like and not like about it?

Thanks, Lee (and Bob) for the useful input.

I am using a V5 A25 mpc, which seems quite easy to blow, but sounds (with me blowing!) very 'boring', rather like a computer-generated tone 🙁

I'm hoping, eventually, for something brighter and more 'brilliant'.
I like the more 'contemporary' sound slightly better than the more traditional, although I can listen happily to *any* 'good' player!

I don't aspire to anything very 'jazzy'.. my old fingers aren't up to that... but I'd like to be able to play 'standards/ballads' and sound 'good'(at least to my ears!).

 

[Pete Thomas]

Although I use mostly custom RPC, my backup mouthpieces are quite standard. I use a Yamaha 4C or Selmer on Soprano. For years (ie from about 1991 - 2000) I used a stock Vandoren Java A45 on alto. If I lost my RPC I'd have no problem using Vandoren or Yamahas. I find the difference between those and the RPCs is more in the versatility I get from the RPCs, not that the vandoren sounds any less "professional". However it might be because I've been playing for such a long time that the difference between stock or student mouthpiececs (and horns) doesn't actually make as much difference to me as people might expect.

 

[robaldo]

I have a Link 10* rubber that sounds naturally full and mellow, and a Link 6* metal NY that's very penetrating and reedy... however, now I'm finding that both sound much the same, as with time I've found my own sound, and that sound seems to come through no matter what I'm playing.

I'm wondering whether the "pro" tag actually means "amateur" as the "Best" in bitter normally means "worst".

I reckon that if you have a mouthpiece that you can play, then perhaps the work needs to be done creating your own sound with it. Time, and patience, and about 5 years of playing? I don't think the mpc will suddenly make you sound like Coltrane or Getz or whoever you are in your daydreams.

 

[lee_]

Sounds to me like you'd like to try something with some "edge", Roger. Nothing wrong with that.

The best alto mouthpiece I've found (and I'm really a tenor player at heart) is a Runyon Bionix, which is a relatively cheap factory made piece with a semi-high baffle and small chamber. I use it for stage work cause it really cuts and is super easy to blow up and down the horn.

There are a number of resources regarding Runyon mouthpieces. The factory site is runyonproducts.com. Also check them out at gigdust.com.

 

[Rogerb]

Well, I am now the owner of what I hope will be my last alto mpc, having just purchased a Lamberson M with a customised tip of 0.077", at about half of the new price.

Now I eagerly await its arrival and 'first blow' 🙂
I will report progress.

I'm not expecting miracles, but can feel confident that, if it sounds rough, it's me, not the mpc 😛
I've not heard a bad word about Lamberson and the M is not too 'extreme' in design.

 

[lee_]

You really go your own way, Roger. That's a good thing. Did you get it in black rubber or the white "acetal"?

 

[Pete Thomas]

Now I eagerly await its arrival and 'first blow' 🙂
I will report progress.

Good luck with it and looking forward to hearing how you get on.

 

[Rogerb]

Lee wrote:
You really go your own way, Roger. That's a good thing. Did you get it in black rubber or the white "acetal"?

It's the HR model, Lee ( although I haven't seen it yet 8| )

I took the view that used Lambersons are pretty thin on the ground, so when this appeared I'd better grab it, secure in the knowledge that, even if I couldn't get on with it, I'd be able to get most or all of my money back re-selling it.

As I said elsewhere, practically everyone who tries Lambersons rave about them, but I guess very few of them are as short in sax-playing experience, or as long in the tooth, as I, so we'll just have to suck (sorry, blow) it and see.

 

[lee_]

I'll bet you're gonna love it. Like you said, what could it hurt?

 

[Rogerb]

I love it already 🙂

At the moment (Day 1) I can't hear much diff from the Vandoren, except it's LOUDER 😀
However, I'm confident it'll be a long time before I need another mpc.

No sweepstakes, please

 

[Bobby G]

Glad you like it Roger. As you get more used to it, you should find how much you can get out of it. Have fun.

Cheers, Bob