I switched to Tenor about 4 years ago, after playing alto for a couple of years, and I've always found it much harder. I've read on this forum that tenors require slightly more puff, but I was finding that I needed a huge amount more air. So much so that it was putting me off playing (an hours playing was like a gym session). The mouthpiece is an Otto Link metal (size 7), which is supposed to be a good make, so I was constantly trying to work out what I was doing wrong (no time to find a teacher).
I'd read on the forum that there were differences between mouthpieces but had put that down to the same gear comparison syndrome as experienced by cyclists: they spend so much time analysing differences between components that they develop super-senses to such an extent that no ordinary mortal will be able to tell the difference.
However, I got a slight dose of GAS and purchased a PPT 7* recently in the rather desperate hope that it might make things better. The first hour of playing was a revelation! The difference was so massive that I thought it might be worth telling everyone so that no-one suffers like I have over the last few years!
So, my Otto Link was:
1. Hard to blow - required massive amounts of air. The PPT is almost easier than my alto to play despite having a slightly larger gap than the original Link.
2. Out of tune - D-E on the middle register and palm keys are out by a semitone or more most of the time (and yes, I have tried all the suggested fixes, like moving the mpc in/out on the cork). The PPT is more or less in tune, all the time: if it's not sounding right, it's because my embouchure has tightened or something.
3. Open C# is ridiculously bright and middle register D-E are incredibly stuffy. The PPT has a pretty uniform (and much better) sound throughout the whole range.
4. Does not do quiet - the sound cuts out if I tried to play anything much below mf. The PPT can whisper.
And on top of all this, it seems I can now play faster. It's as though, by not having to concentrate so hard on getting a sound, my brain has got more time to pay attention to my fingering. Weird.
So, with the simple act of replacing the mouthpiece I have gone from struggling to make any progress at all, to realising that I'm better at this lark than I thought. I can see the way ahead and hopefully, this will allow me to learn much quicker and make the whole process more fun.
The PPT is a great mouthpiece (but I know that from all the good reviews it's got). The learning point for me though is that you absolutely have to audition pieces - the difference can be quite staggering (or is it just that my Otto Link is a duff example?).
Finally, thanks to Pete for sending the piece so quickly - it arrived a couple of days after I placed the order. :welldone
I'd read on the forum that there were differences between mouthpieces but had put that down to the same gear comparison syndrome as experienced by cyclists: they spend so much time analysing differences between components that they develop super-senses to such an extent that no ordinary mortal will be able to tell the difference.
However, I got a slight dose of GAS and purchased a PPT 7* recently in the rather desperate hope that it might make things better. The first hour of playing was a revelation! The difference was so massive that I thought it might be worth telling everyone so that no-one suffers like I have over the last few years!
So, my Otto Link was:
1. Hard to blow - required massive amounts of air. The PPT is almost easier than my alto to play despite having a slightly larger gap than the original Link.
2. Out of tune - D-E on the middle register and palm keys are out by a semitone or more most of the time (and yes, I have tried all the suggested fixes, like moving the mpc in/out on the cork). The PPT is more or less in tune, all the time: if it's not sounding right, it's because my embouchure has tightened or something.
3. Open C# is ridiculously bright and middle register D-E are incredibly stuffy. The PPT has a pretty uniform (and much better) sound throughout the whole range.
4. Does not do quiet - the sound cuts out if I tried to play anything much below mf. The PPT can whisper.
And on top of all this, it seems I can now play faster. It's as though, by not having to concentrate so hard on getting a sound, my brain has got more time to pay attention to my fingering. Weird.
So, with the simple act of replacing the mouthpiece I have gone from struggling to make any progress at all, to realising that I'm better at this lark than I thought. I can see the way ahead and hopefully, this will allow me to learn much quicker and make the whole process more fun.
The PPT is a great mouthpiece (but I know that from all the good reviews it's got). The learning point for me though is that you absolutely have to audition pieces - the difference can be quite staggering (or is it just that my Otto Link is a duff example?).
Finally, thanks to Pete for sending the piece so quickly - it arrived a couple of days after I placed the order. :welldone