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sax_starved
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Simon, I've just read the whole thread with interest. I'm not sure if I can add anything more worthwhile than the talented players above, but I have been playing for 4 months and switch between a tenor and alto. For the tenor I use a standard Rico Royal 2.5 and for the alto a Rico Jazz Select 2.5, which requires a lot more puff. So the reed does make a difference and it really is worth trying a few to find one that suits you.
I can play for over an hour at a time without too many problems and try to practice every day. I make sure that I dampen the reeds thoroughly before playing and have four that I play in rotation. Initially I found that I was tensing my mouth too much in an attempt to get the right embouchure, which caused my mouth to ache and lips to become sore. The solution was to subtly change the pressure I held the mouthpiece depending on the notes I was playing; tighter for higher notes and looser for the lower, that way you do not clamp your mouth around the reed for the whole tune.
Excuse me if I am teaching you to suck eggs (does anybody really do that?), this is just how my journey has progressed so far. Good luck,
Lloyd
I can play for over an hour at a time without too many problems and try to practice every day. I make sure that I dampen the reeds thoroughly before playing and have four that I play in rotation. Initially I found that I was tensing my mouth too much in an attempt to get the right embouchure, which caused my mouth to ache and lips to become sore. The solution was to subtly change the pressure I held the mouthpiece depending on the notes I was playing; tighter for higher notes and looser for the lower, that way you do not clamp your mouth around the reed for the whole tune.
Excuse me if I am teaching you to suck eggs (does anybody really do that?), this is just how my journey has progressed so far. Good luck,
Lloyd
