Mouth pieces

[wendsworth]

Hi

I have just had a good lesson. I was getting quite down being unable to make the jumps to the upper register - it was broken and hissy. My teacher played my sax to see if it was a problem with the valves - no such luck its me!!
He then lent me one of his mouth pieces to try - this was a Dukoff D6 - and like magic I was making the jump OK itn was not brillient but it was a hell of a lot better.
So he suggests I get a new mouth piece...
Does this sound reasonable?
What do I now get?

Do you know of any shops in London - doable in a lunch hour from Leicester square?

He also mentioned trying out how they play - is this a done thing or a tad un hygenic and not allowed - bit like trying on underware!!

I do not want to lugg my sax all round london for nothing!

This is something I need to do Mondsay as a friend wants me to play something at her leaving do on the 10th August - some friends from work set up a band for my bosses 40th birthday - they were very good and bits can be seen on U tube under the band name "Spunky Wench" - Only been learning for 4 mths and not sure if I want to do this but definately not if I cant work well with my current mouth peice - I need all the help I can get.

Sorry for going on a bit

Wendy

 

[Pete Thomas]

If Macari's is still in Charing Cross Rd, it's very closs to Leicester Square, if you have a bit more time then there is also Howarths near Baker St. If that is still there.

They used to let you try mouthpieces, not sure if they still do though.

 

[TonyMoroney]

Wendy,

Pete's quite right, Howarth's is at http://www.howarth.uk.com/ I was in there only last week, awkwardly positioned right between Baker Street Tube and Bond Street Tube, it's about a 10 minute walk from either.

They have lots of lurrrrrrvely horns on display too.... enjoy it 😀

Cheers

Tony

 

[wendsworth]

Hi

Thanks for this


I got to try it and a couple of others in the shop and an a happy bunny egerly awaiting hometime and some practice.

When I have a bit more time I will go over to Howarths.

 

[sharon]

What did you buy in the end?

Sharon

 

[wendsworth]

Honestly not too sure - it doesn't have writing on it apart fom a 5 and came in a clear plastic box.

I tried a couple and while the shiny silver one look good (WANT) it didn't play well for me so I had to go for a boring black one that sounded quite nice.

It has also given me more incentive to practice as I dont have to fight for a note. though I still have to work for the upper register I can hopefully work on improving what I can get.

While it is another outlay I would really reccommend getting your own mpc even as a beginner who generally need all the help they can get - why fight to overcome obsticals that need not be there?

Wendy

 

[spike]

why fight to overcome obstacles that need not be there?

That's good advice you're giving yourself Wendy - so many would be saxers make it hard on themselves playing open mouthpieces and harder reeds as soon as possible, when it's control that's the keyword not weight lifting. Have fun.
gruss - spike

 

[Rogerb]

For a hundred shiny pounds, your nameless black '5' *should* be a pretty good mouthpiece, Wendy 😱

Good luck with it 🙂

 

[sharon]

[
It has also given me more incentive to practice as I dont have to fight for a note. though I still have to work for the upper register I can hopefully work on improving what I can get.

Wendy I know exactly what you mean. I've just changed from my stock mouthpiece to an (old)new mouthpiece and the difference is incredible. The notes almost play themselves, makes your really want to play and practice more.

Sharon