Accessories Mouthpiece Silencer

[Chris98]

Every now and then I seem to get sucked in and make a purchase that later forces me to question my sanity. Yesterday I came across the mouthpiece silencer that I had bought many months ago, I had the intention of doing mouthpiece exercises during lunch breaks at work but usually ended up escaping into town for a coffee with my work colleagues so it never really happened.

For those who have not come across this intriguing little device I have attached a photo for your enlightenment, I’d like to tell you more about it but alas I’ve probably only blown into it 3 or 4 times.

So my question is, has anyone else had experience with this mouthpiece silencer, should it stay in the drawer or be liberated?

All the best,

Chris

 

[ManEast]

Every now and then I seem to get sucked in and make a purchase that later forces me to question my sanity. Yesterday I came across the mouthpiece silencer that I had bought many months ago, I had the intention of doing mouthpiece exercises during lunch breaks at work but usually ended up escaping into town for a coffee with my work colleagues so it never really happened.

For those who have not come across this intriguing little device I have attached a photo for your enlightenment, I’d like to tell you more about it but alas I’ve probably only blown into it 3 or 4 times.

So my question is, has anyone else had experience with this mouthpiece silencer, should it stay in the drawer or be liberated?

All the best,




Chris

Hi Chris
No, it should not stay in the drawer. Along with the book that came with it... This is a first class bit of kit.
Go back to the book and start again. make it a ten min's a day habbit. It will give you a big pay-back.

Regards

ManEast

 

[AlanB]

I started mpc only practice about 2 weeks ago. It has already paid huge dividends. My tone is fuller, I can hear more partials, I can bend further than I ever have before, my embouchure is stronger, I can get 7-8 overtones from Bb, where before only three, And last week hit my first altissimo.

But Oh my god I make a racket with the mpc, so unpleasant for everyone around. I'd love to have one of those thingameegimminees, especially for hotel rooms.
Al

 

[Pete Thomas]

I was very sceptical about this until I tried one out. I think the exercises are great, and if you have an issue with neighbours, pets etc. then the silencer is a really good bit of kit.

 

[AlanB]

Does anyone know what the neutral tuning for a tenor mouthpiece should be? or do things not work that way?
Al

 

[Pete Thomas]

There are some theories that there should be a note to tune a mouthpiece to and many people find this useful. I believe it depends on the player and mouthpiece.

 

[Chris98]

Hi,

I was half expecting to be chastised for making an unsound purchase, so thanks for posting and putting me right.

Hi Chris
No, it should not stay in the drawer. Along with the book that came with it... This is a first class bit of kit.
Go back to the book and start again. make it a ten min's a day habbit. It will give you a big pay-back.

Regards

ManEast

Hi ManEast,

It's on the mouthpiece as I write and I have already blown into it, at first all I got was squeaks but then loosened up and I can achieve, although not all that steadily, a B♭, this is with an Alto mouthpiece.

I started mpc only practice about 2 weeks ago. It has already paid huge dividends. My tone is fuller, I can hear more partials, I can bend further than I ever have before, my embouchure is stronger, I can get 7-8 overtones from Bb, where before only three, And last week hit my first altissimo.
Al

Hi Al,

I knew mouthpiece exercises were a good idea but without the silencer they were just a bit too loud for me let alone anyone else. It sounds like they have paid off for you already which is brilliant.

I was very sceptical about this until I tried one out. I think the exercises are great, and if you have an issue with neighbours, pets etc. then the silencer is a really good bit of kit.

Hi Pete,

Thanks encouraging to hear you say that.


I now remember why I stalled when I first got it, I didn't have a piano or keyboard which is strongly recommended in the DVD, but luckily that isn't an issue anymore.

The other thing is that I'm no singer, I think my voice was one of the first to break at school and I became very selfconscious and really never sang again unless I was in the car with the music playing very loud. Anyway the instructions suggest a certain amount of vocal work! Which really wasn't something I was going to entertain then, but now? Well, this morning I was playing around on the piano and trying to sing (in the broadest sense of the word) the notes I was playing and it was a bearable experience, I just hope no one heard me!

So I shall not relegate the silencer to the drawer and see what may come of it.

Thanks again,

Chris

 

[MellowD]

Hi,

I was half expecting to be chastised for making an unsound purchase, so thanks for posting and putting me right.

I received my Jazzlab Saxholder in the post yesterday, with a leaflet for this magic gadget. Admit, I was sceptical when I saw the price at £40 - the same price as the Saxholder, and I was concerned about value for money so thought that I may skip the purchase and spend it on a mouthpiece.

I respect and appreciate the value of mouthpiece exercises, however at this price, I was left wondering whether I would just be wasting my money?

I am gathering that this is actually not the case now that I'm reading through this thread, so it may go on my Santa list.

Mel

 

[Pete Thomas]

I respect and appreciate the value of mouthpiece exercises, however at this price, I was left wondering whether I would just be wasting my money?

It's not a waste of money provided that you regularly do the mouthpiece exercises, and if without it you would get issues with the neighbours or household pets.

It doesn't actually help with the exercises, it just makes them less annoying.

I also think it is more than just a tube with foam inside, it actually works quite well in letting you still do the exercises but without the loudness. Perhaps there is slightly more resistance, but not enough to worry about IMO.

 

[MellowD]

It's not a waste of money provided that you regularly do the mouthpiece exercises, and if without it you would get issues with the neighbours or household pets.

I suspect my two dogs will appreciated your feedback even more than myself Pete. Ok, I'm convinced that if I don't get one from Santa for Christmas, then the New Year will see me purchasing another treat for myself!

Thank you

 

[jrintaha]

Just ordered mine from Jonathan Myall Music. My teacher, a professional tenor sax player and singer, said something along the lines of that the daily 10 minutes with the mouthpiece is the single most effective 10 minutes you could spend towards learning to play the sax well. Unfortunately I usually cannot do the 10 minutes a day since my wife hates the mouthpiece wail and my 1-year-old daughter is scared of it. So this silencer is definitely worth a try.

 

[MellowD]

I guess the next natural progression of questioning on this line then is .......

Since I have Soprano, Alto and Tenor, and will only purchase one silencer at this price level - which one should I choose to enable me to get the best muscle strengthening out of it, or will it really not matter?

 

[What]

I guess the next natural progression of questioning on this line then is .......

Since I have Soprano, Alto and Tenor, and will only purchase one silencer at this price level - which one should I choose to enable me to get the best muscle strengthening out of it, or will it really not matter?

I have seen these out there too. I admit I was skeptical. But I do have a hour and a half trolley rid into town(it's a 20 minute drive, never let a company outside of the city run the public transit), this might just be a great add to my embouchure exercises and breathing exercises I do. I doubt it would add to the strange looks I get already sitting there doing the embouchure exercises(though I am careful not to make eye contact while doing it).

 

[sushidushi]

embouchure exercises

What do they comprise...?

 

[What]

What do they comprise...?

They are pretty simple. You just smile your widest smile (I keep my lips together) and then whistle, or move you lips to a whistle position depending on where you are. You do it about fifty times about three times a day (or to the point you feel it) and it helps develop the muscles you use to make your embouchure. Pete's DVD and "The Art of Playing the Saxophone" both recommend it.

 

[MellowD]

What do they comprise...?

This is the mouthpiece exercise page that Jazzlab have posted. This is a bit further on than the initial exercises What has described and involved making tones at different levels ....... You can do these without the silencer, its just LOUD

http://www.jazzlab.com/en/silencer/the-mouthpiece-exercise/

 

[sushidushi]

Not very cat-friendly, I suspect... 🙂

 

[What]

Not very cat-friendly, I suspect... 🙂

I would guess not, but my guy has lived through worse 🙂

 

[jrintaha]

I got my mouthpiece silencer from sax.co.uk on Tuesday, and while it's too early to say how much influence the mouthpiece exercises have had on my playing, especially since I haven't had the time to play the sax at all this week, I can say it does silence the mouthpiece by quite a bit. I've spent 15-20 minutes on mouthpiece exercises each evening after the kids have gone to bed. It certainly silences it enough to play at night, as long as you don't blow with all your might.

 

[MellowD]

I've received a loan of a silencer in the post from another forum member who has very generously sent me their spare one to have a play with before I decide.

Hoping to check out the instructions today and start having a serious go with it. Reports later.