Mouthpieces mpc

[rudge]

Hi all, i purchased a jody jazz mpc some time ago but due to my own mistake i clicked the wrong size and ordered a #7 tip opening! i have tried loads of reeds from #1s to #3s and cannot really get a decent sound from it, i have been playing a year now and use a selmer c*, my question is this, should i keep it and wait for my 'chops' to get stronger or is this always going to be wrong for me?

 

[Pete Thomas]

Is it alto or tenor? I find relatively wider tip sizes work best on tenor. If its alto, then a 7 really is quite open and I think you'be be better off with something not quite so wide. If its tenor then a 7 is not over wide and possibly worth keeping. I've never tried a Jody jazz so I can't give any more specific advice, but when you get the chance try out a few different makes and sizes.

 

[Linky Lee]

What Jody Jazz mouthpiece is it? a classic?

If you've been playing a year now on a C* you'll have developed your chops a bit, but most likely not enough for a JJ7. It's a big jump from C* to that.

What reed strength do you use on the C*? I assume 3's as that was the hardest you tried on the 7. If so I think it's most likely time to get a wider mouthpiece as a stepping stone. Maybe a JJ6 if you like the piece.
Allow your embouchure to develop on that and then move up again.

I'd hold onto it if you like the feel/tone. If not you might as well sell it and get that stepping stone mouthpiece.

 

[rudge]

I play tenor and at the moment am using rico jazz select 2H reeds that i am getting on great with (the vandoran 3 is from a selection pack) the mpc is a jody jazz HR.

 

[Linky Lee]

Sounds like you could quite easily move up to something like a 6. I play Java/ZZ 2.5 (equivalent RJS 2H/3S) on a Link 6* and it's got to the point where I feel I need something like an 8/9 as Java/ZZ 3.5 on the 6* are a bit too hard. To develop your embouchure you want the set-up to be slightly beyond your comfort zone. I like playing on the 2.5s though so a new mouthpiece is in order.

From reading your first post it's a bit unclear about your problem with the JJ. You said that you can't get a decent sound.

By this do you mean you can play it quite comfortably but don't like the tone you are producing.
Or do you mean you can't get the notes out properly so the tone isn't good.

If you can get the notes out fine with rico royal 2 (RJS 2S, Vandoren 1.5) or similar reed and you don't like the tone, it's just not the mouthpiece for you and I'd sell it on and find something different.

Do remember that different isn't really better. Lots of people try something and because it's different think it's amazing and an improvement. It isn't necessarily.

 

[jonf]

It's a pretty decent mouthpiece. If I were you I wouldn't be in too much of a hurry to change it. OK, it's quite a bit wider than a Selmer C*, but it's not all that wide.

My first proper mouthpiece (as opposed to the garbage which came with Student saxes in the early 80s) was a Lawton 7, and I got to grips with that OK.

I know we're all different, but I'd suggest you buy some softer reeds (I'd say stick with Rico Jazz Select but try 2S) and give it a while.

 

[Bobby G]

I'd say keep it! I found eventually that I could get to grips with my Beechler 8 after a while, having played narrower tips for a couple of years, but it's now quite comfortable.

Cheers, Bob

 

[Pjonah]

Keep it for now, I found the first time I played in a rock band I just wasn't loud enough, even with amplification!

When you've played all nite and your "chops" are in the groove, so to speak switching to 2.5-3 reed with the Jody will seem a breeze, you'll soon adapt!

Oh and don't worry about the neighbours with the extra volume!

Simon

 

[tengu01]

Hear hear.

I bought a STM Link for my alto and didn't get along with it for a while until one day I tried a different reed strength and brand. It started singing.

I suspect that my chops were not really in a position to take advantage of the mouthpiece when I first started playing.

I have a box with a few mouthpieces I haven't really got along with so well, but am loath to dispose of for precisely that reason.

 

[milandro]

I have been trying lots of things on my Martin alto but in the end I've decided for a Otto Link STM 7. It is a little open for my chops but I use it with Alexander ( superial or D.C) 2,5 to compensate.

I also have other mpcs, such as the omnipresent Selmer S80 D which I use if I have a reed that is too thick or stuffy to play with the Link (I have some V16 2 which I can't possibly play on the link, don't want to throw them out....you see). The S80 has a nice enough but unintersting sound to me, makes me and my horn sound cheap and ordinary (just an opinion). Another piece I have is a Selmer Super session F, seemed nice enpough in the beginning and I used it on a Super action 80II, not so nice on the Martin. I keep it just in case.