Mouthpieces Mouthpiece rails and tip question

[LostCircuits]

A lot of people do consider the 4C as such.

It was a pun because I had just said exactly the same in the post above @skeller047
Just some friendly banter

 

[skeller047]

Training wheels, eh, how do you come up with that kind of nonsense?

😀​

I just find the 4C to have limits tone-wise, and there’s also a limit in terms of volume. Hence the comment.

 

[lydian]

I just find the 4C to have limits tone-wise, and there’s also a limit in terms of volume. Hence the comment.

Agree. But that shouldn't hold back a beginner for quite a while, as sirvalorsax shows below (3:20)

View: https://youtu.be/iDad93tb04o

 

[Saxlicker]

Agree. But that shouldn't hold back a beginner for quite a while, as sirvalorsax shows

And that on Tenor is a pretty close lay! I wonder what a 6C might sound like for him.
I find the piece better on alto in general.

 

[LostCircuits]

I just find the 4C to have limits tone-wise, and there’s also a limit in terms of volume. Hence the comment.

And that on Tenor is a pretty close lay! I wonder what a 6C might sound like for him.
I find the piece better on alto in general.

The 4C recommendation should be viewed in the context of "4C vs. Metalite" or similar paint peelers.

 

[lydian]

And that on Tenor is a pretty close lay! I wonder what a 6C might sound like for him.
I find the piece better on alto in general.

Yeah, he sounds killing on everything. The 4C is my go to for all beginners on SATB. Within a year, the better players will upgrade anyway. It could be an average player's forever mouthpiece, especially if they don't play jazz or rock.

 

[LisaP2026]

Update - have just acquired a Premiere by David Hite mpc (old shop stock but brand new) at a very good price. First impressions are that I like this much more than the Bari Esprit and the no-name..... despite it having a slightly larger tip opening which I thought might make it more difficult to blow.

Trying both Rico orange 2 and Rico royal 1.5 reeds - doesn't seem to be much difference between them with this mpc?

Currently using the single screw brass lig that came with the horn which seems to work ok but is it worth trying a different lig? If so, what would be a good step up?

Really appreciate all the suggestions and comments received so far and sorry for all the questions!!

 

[Pete Thomas]

despite it having a slightly larger tip opening which I thought might make it more difficult to blow.

Tip opening difference is often nothing to do with being more difficult to blow.

 

[LostCircuits]

Update - have just acquired a Premiere by David Hite mpc (old shop stock but brand new) at a very good price. First impressions are that I like this much more than the Bari Esprit and the no-name..... despite it having a slightly larger tip opening which I thought might make it more difficult to blow.

Trying both Rico orange 2 and Rico royal 1.5 reeds - doesn't seem to be much difference between them with this mpc?

Currently using the single screw brass lig that came with the horn which seems to work ok but is it worth trying a different lig? If so, what would be a good step up?

Really appreciate all the suggestions and comments received so far and sorry for all the questions!!

The best step up for the ligature is a simple 2 screw ligature. Boring, right? But true!

 

[Grumps]

It's generally a good idea not to look too closely at a mouthpiece that's otherwise doing its job. Often enough, it leads to them being wrecked.

 

[Saxlicker]

Currently using the single screw brass lig that came with the horn which seems to work ok but is it worth trying a different lig? If so, what would be a good step up?

There are 2 separate things about a ligature in my experience.
1) They have to hold the reed in place well without nonsensical fuss.
2) One ligature will give the player a different feedback from another ligature.
The latter of which often fools people into thinking the listener will hear a difference. I'm sure they wont despite the players different experience.

Not a rabbit hole worth exploring if your ligature fits well.