Mouthpiece and reed suggestion for Classical music please

BeBopSop · Jan 20, 2012

Hi, I have decided I like mellow rounded oboe-like sound from my new Yanagisawa soprano,I am using a Yamaha 4C and a Rico V 2.1/2 reed, (Rovner dark lig) any suggestions on some single reeds I could buy and try out? I thought if I told you the sound I like I could avoid buying reeds that are too edgy or bright, I have tried a Selmer super session E MP, a Meyer 5m MP, A Jody Jazz 5,but for some reason I prefered (and sounded better) with my old Yamaha 4C, (I can hear you now saying well stick to it then) surlely this £25.00 MP can be improved upon? Which set up do classical sax players use I wonder?

Always striving for perfection, John....

Nick Wyver · Jan 20, 2012

Selmer S80 C* or D, Vandoren reeds. Sounds like you're having fun. I wish you luck.

Don't let the faffing about with mouthpieces and reeds get in the way of practice. That's what makes the difference.

BeBopSop · Jan 21, 2012

Nick Wyver said:
Selmer S80 C* or D, Vandoren reeds. Sounds like you're having fun. I wish you luck.

Don't let the faffing about with mouthpieces and reeds get in the way of practice. That's what makes the difference.

Thanks Nick, love the new Profile pic, looks draughty in your house though!

SaxyMalcolm · Jan 21, 2012

BeBopSop said:
Hi, I have decided I like mellow rounded oboe-like sound from my new Yanagisawa soprano,I am using a Yamaha 4C and a Rico V 2.1/2 reed, (Rovner dark lig) any suggestions on some single reeds I could buy and try out? I thought if I told you the sound I like I could avoid buying reeds that are too edgy or bright, I have tried a Selmer super session E MP, a Meyer 5m MP, A Jody Jazz 5,but for some reason I prefered (and sounded better) with my old Yamaha 4C, (I can hear you now saying well stick to it then) surlely this £25.00 MP can be improved upon? Which set up do classical sax players use I wonder?

Always striving for perfection, John....

Have a go at some traditional Vandoren reeds, they might give you the sound you are looking for. Try size 2/2.5 at first until you get used to playing the sop. The Yamaha 4C is a highly regarded mpc for sop, some pro's use them. If you want a classical sound try the Vandoren optimum mpc, if you like a slightly darker more open sound Yanagisawa ebonite mpc's are excellent and also worth a try. I would recommend going to shop and spending an afternoon trying them before you buy though.

Justin Chune · Jan 21, 2012

The Selmer C* is the one to compare with your Yamaha 4c. For the time being sticking with your existing set up and getting on with practice seems like your best option. Vandoren Traditionals run half a strength harder so a #2 will compare with your Rico 2.5.

Jim.

BeBopSop · Jan 21, 2012

Justin Chune said:
The Selmer C* is the one to compare with your Yamaha 4c. For the time being sticking with your existing set up and getting on with practice seems like your best option. Vandoren Traditionals run half a strength harder so a #2 will compare with your Rico 2.5.

Jim.

Hi Jim, is there much diffirence between the The Selmer C* and the Yamaha 4C please?

Justin Chune · Jan 21, 2012

HI John, The tip openings for the Yamaha 4c & 5c seem to match Selmers C* & C** models. My baritone came with a Selmer C** and I love it. I recently bought a Yamaha 5c to use as a back up and to let a friend have a blow on a clean mouthpiece. The two mouthpieces do not play the same and I prefer the Selmer. To be fair, Selmer mouthpieces are five times the price of Yamaha.

Jim.

thomsax · Jan 22, 2012

BeBopSop said:
Which set up do classical sax players use I wonder?

Mouthpieces like Bilger, Caravan, Morgan are often used by classical players. They say that are designed to work on both "vintage" and modern sopranos. The mouthpices I have, that have been used by a classiacal player, has big chamber, no baffle, small tip openings. The reeds that used to come with the saxes/mouthpieces were soft. Older "vintage" mouthpices and reeds use to be shorter than modern ones.

Thomas