Mouthpieces Mouthpiece comparison.

[kevgermany]

I thought I'd play around with mouthpieces this afternoon on the tenor.

First on was the Selmer England. Narrow tip, so I tried it with a hard reed, a Rico Select Jazz 4m. Was a little hard, but played top to bottom. Sound was dark, moody, not a lot of punch. No edge. Switched to a 3m. Played easier, but not much different sound wise. Easy blow on the softer reed, but centred on dark.

Thought I'd try the Yani HR a 5. I've had it a couple of months, came with the sax, but I didn't try it. Slapped a 3m on it. Nice easy blow, controllable, not as dark as the Selmer, but still lacking something. Not much punch, though slightly more than the Selmer. More edge when you wanted it.

Stuck the PPT on. Brighter, more range, louder, much louder. Dark when I wanted it, controllable edge. Stopped messing, left the PPT on. It's good. Really good. Maybe cos I'm used to it, but it works for me.

 

[jbtsax]

I always like to have a frame of reference when discussing/comparing mouthpieces. For example, "For a classical tenor sound, I find mouthpiece A a bit more open than mouthpiece B". "For for a big jazz sound, mouthpiece C has a bit more edge and projection than mouthpiece D". Knowing the context helps to zero in on the concept of sound you are discussing. Does that make sense?

 

[kevgermany]

Yes, but what's a classical tenor sound? Getz? Webster? Coltrane?

I'm playing a french horn part on tenor in the Nutcracker soon. Trying to sound.... Well, classical.

 

[Colin the Bear]

There was a video on here a while back of a bloke playing a tenor that sounded like a cello. Is that a classical Tenor?

 

[Dean0saur]

Anyone tired the jody Jazz chi ?

I had a 10 minute blast on it in sax.co.uk and I quite liked it but I haven't really got that much to compare it to...
I want to try the Andy Sheppard mouthpiece and the Nadir's... Anyone tried these pieces?

I'm looking to buy myself my first tenor and just want a good piece to accompany it. I know it's personal preference but I just like reading other people's views sometime.

 

[David Dorning]

Yes, but what's a classical tenor sound? Getz? Webster? Coltrane?

I'm playing a french horn part on tenor in the Nutcracker soon. Trying to sound.... Well, classical.

I suppose there's a difference between classical as in orchestral, and classic jazz (and all its subdivisions) as in Getz, Webster, Coltrane

 

[jbtsax]

James Houlik is one of the leading classical tenor saxophonists in the world. This recording represents the "classical" concept of sound for the tenor sax.

This piece demonstrates a "classical" sound for soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone.

 

[Alphorn]

I'm looking to buy myself my first tenor and just want a good piece to accompany it.

Is it wise to spend that much for a mouthpiece when you are just buying your first tenor? I don't know a thing about your experience as a player, but I would assume that even an exprienced player will need some time to adopt when he switches to another sax size for the first time. Sound concept may develop along with time on the instrument. However, if budget is not limiting your choice, go on and give yourself a treat.

Alphorn

 

[Colin the Bear]

And buy a chest of drawers.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Is James Houlik getting work as Hannibal Lecter?

 

[aldevis]

Is James Houlik getting work as Hannibal Lecter?

I find despicable that what a musician looks like, could affect our comments.
(links in Italian)
MicheleForesta.it :: Il sito ufficiale di Mr.Forest
Mago Forest - Wikipedia

 

[Dean0saur]

Is it wise to spend that much for a mouthpiece when you are just buying your first tenor? I don't know a thing about your experience as a player, but I would assume that even an exprienced player will need some time to adopt when he switches to another sax size for the first time. Sound concept may develop along with time on the instrument. However, if budget is not limiting your choice, go on and give yourself a treat.

Alphorn

I've played alto for 13 years and and back in performing arts academy I use to play tenor sporadically as an when needed...
I know it's fairly different but I just know that any stand issue mouthpiece isn't going to be desirable in sound quality..

Ideally I want a metal piece which I can push quite hard but still gives me a bit of flexibility.

It will be a case of adapting but I'm fairly confident I'll be able adjust.

 

[kevgermany]

@jbtsax Thanks, I was wondering if you meant cassical as in music, or classical as in traditional sax player/jazzy. Some good examples there. Funny, although Pete set the PPT up for Jazz/rock, it's very flexible. But pushing it in a classical sound is playing on a knife edge. But it sounds good there. I'm sticking with it, I don't want to have different mouthpieces for different uses.

 

[kevgermany]

I've played alto for 13 years and and back in performing arts academy I use to play tenor sporadically as an when needed...
I know it's fairly different but I just know that any stand issue mouthpiece isn't going to be desirable in sound quality..

Ideally I want a metal piece which I can push quite hard but still gives me a bit of flexibility.

It will be a case of adapting but I'm fairly confident I'll be able adjust.

Why metal? There are many really good HR and resin alto pieces.

 

[Dean0saur]

Why metal? There are many really good HR and resin alto pieces.

Im looking a mouthpiece for a new tenor...

I play a jody Jazz DV on my alto which has a big projection nice edge to it.

That's why I'm looking at the JJ Chi as a contender for a tenor...
I'm open to suggestions if you want to depict a couple for me...

 

[jazzdoh]

Don't discard altogether the standard mouthpieces,just because its expensive it doesn't always mean its the best or would be suited to you.
For example i own a TW Gaia and vintage Lawton on soprano but i choose to play a hard rubber Bari that cost me £30 on EBay, and it can be the same on other horns too,however on tenor i have 10mFan Robusto that has lived up to the hype for me.

 

[ProfJames]

The only way you will choose a new mpc is by trying them yourself.

 

[ProfJames]

I would recommend the metal Yani mpc, also Saxscape Hudson and the PPT.

 

[kevgermany]

If you're morstly classical, like a bit of resistance, the Selmer soloist is a good bet, but try a few.

 

[aldevis]

I find that instruments and mouthpieces often have to be matched, in particular with "specialist" mouthpieces, like ones with high baffles or huge chambers.

If I had to bet on a mouthpiece before owning a tenor i would go on a flexible piece, like JJ HR or Pillinger NYT. For a bit more edge, Pillinger NYTB (just released! I am testing it) 10mfan Merlot or Robusto are the ones that jump to mind.

Of course in future you will develop a taste on tenor that will probably take you in other directions.