Mouthpieces Mouthpiece Questions

[djazzy]

Are those jazz mouthpieces?

 

[Pete Thomas]

At 6:19:02 PM 08/04/06, djazzy wrote:
Are those jazz mouthpieces?

Depends what you mean by "jazz mouthpieces"? (see your previous question and my answer)

 

[djazzy]

I read my specifications but I don't know if the mouthpieces are jazz pieces or not.

 

[Pete Thomas]

One day you will.

 

[djazzy]

Thanks for your help.

 

[Pete Thomas]

djazzy, from your replies it didn't seem I was being very helpful, so I assumed your asking what appears to be the same question (after I already answered it) was a windup. My apologies if this was not the case.

Just in case you didn't get what I was saying:

The Vandoren or Yamaha mouthpieces are very good for playing jazz, I have used them myself for jazz. If your budget is $100 I don't know of anything better.

PS. A "jazz" mouthpiece is either a mouthpiece that a jazz player uses, or else a mouthpiece that a manufacturer calls a jazz mouthpiece - often this is just marketing hype. As different players want different types of sound a jazz mouthpiece can be almost anything, the only thing I can think of that makes a mouthpiece jazz is that generally a jazz (or pop or rock) saxophonist tends to like wider tip openings than a classical player - but this applies to ALL mouthpieces.

 

[Pete Thomas]

At 10:45:46 AM 09/04/06, Ken wrote:
> At 12:54:01 PM 09/04/06, Pete wrote:
>
> ..... the only thing I can think of that makes a mouthpiece jazz is that generally a jazz (or pop or rock) saxophonist tends to like wider tip openings than a classical player - but this applies to ALL mouthpieces.


Pete,

I think this answers something I have never asked, but often wondered about. When people talk about a 'jazz' mpc, this would also encompass Rock/Pop (you don't see mention of a 'Rock' mpc for instance).

Yes it probably would - but I prefer not to call a mouthpiece a "jazz" mouthpiece, as I don't think there is such a thing. Only what people call "a jazz mouthpiece".

Also (really basic here) does wider tip opening mean harder to play/better developed embouchure needed?

If the length of lay and strength of reed constant, then a wider tip opening can be harder to play. It would need better developed muscles. How do you develop these muscles? Guess what, by playing a wider tip opening. Very often people who suddenly switch to a wider opening might go down a grade or two on reed strength.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I have tried Meyer but noy Jody Jazz. Meyers are good, but the vintage ones are reputed to be much better (as with most things it seems). Meyers tend to be more popular on alto.

I'm not sure material makes any significant difference to sound. I'm sure dimensions and shape make a big difference. I don't know of any makes that have a metal and HR version with the same dimensions so it is hard to know for sure what difference material might make. I imagine metal allows for thinner rails/walls due to its strength but I'm no expert on such things.

 

[djazzy]

Thanks Pete. I didn't try to ask you questions you already answered. I was just looking for good jazz mouthpieces within my price range.

 

[Pete Thomas]

At 1:28:14 PM 09/04/06, Ken wrote:
Thanks very much Pete... really interesting.
> At 3:14:41 PM 09/04/06, Pete wrote:
>
> .... but the vintage ones are reputed to be much better (as with most things it seems).
My wife say's that about me :cry: 🙂

Sorry one last 'curiousity' question... do you, as a pro, have mpc's modified to suit your style/playing or go with them out of the box?

Out of the box.

 

[mikeherrera]

hello,

i'm from the philippines and a big fan of you pete....i'm currently playing yamaha alto sax and mark vi tenor...for the alto i use selmer paris metal mpiece w/c kinda works for me and a #3 rico royal reed......for my tenor, i'm currently using a rubber type #8 mpc size w/c i really didn't like and so i'm currently looking for a metal mpc somewhere in HK ...what i have in mind is a dukoff or selmer paris mpc since i'm currently onto jazz playing ...badly need your suggestion.

pls. enlighten me.... 🙂

mike h.

 

[Pete Thomas]

mikeherrera wrote:
hello,

i'm from the philippines and a big fan of you pete....i'm currently playing yamaha alto sax and mark vi tenor...for the alto i use selmer paris metal mpiece w/c kinda works for me and a #3 rico royal reed......for my tenor, i'm currently using a rubber type #8 mpc size w/c i really didn't like and so i'm currently looking for a metal mpc somewhere in HK ...what i have in mind is a dukoff or selmer paris mpc since i'm currently onto jazz playing ...badly need your suggestion.

pls. enlighten me.... 🙂

mike h.

I think this is the same as your question in the other thread. As I said there, really you must try as many as you can. Metal or Rubber doesn't matter, it's the model that works best for you. Selmer and Dukoff are both good makes.

 

[Pjonah]

I found for Tenor, a Brilhart Ebolin 5* is a real peach for Jazz and Rock, about $90 new.

You can really make these babies sing, my favorite mouthpiece ever!

My teeth eventually when through the bite plate, that made for some interesting harmonics! Still looking for one on alto, just got a Claude Lackey off ebay to try and that seems nice, but not as good as the Brilhart.

I am also of the opinion that metal mouthpieces are wildly over-rated. I used, Berg Larson and Otto Link metals on tenor for about 5 years before realising the Brilhart knocked spots of the other two! Just my opinion.

Horses for courses I'm afraid

Simon 😉