Beginner Saxes Reed and Mouthpiece Suggestions for Beginner

[Euphotone97]

Hello!

I am picking saxophone as a second instrument, and I would appreciate any suggestions you have for mouthpieces and reeds. I just bought a 1955 Conn 14m Director "Shooting Stars" Alto that had just been refurbished and repadded. It comes with a Coast mouthpiece, but I don't know if it is of good quality (from what I have read, it is a Raffault stencil).

Here is the sax I bought:

Conn 14M Alto Saxophone | eBay

The sound I am trying to get is a darker, more-mellow sound, which is closer to what I am used to.

A bit about myself. I have been playing euphonium for almost 9 years now, which is why I like the darker sound. I got a little annoyed at my baritone section in marching band, so I am switching to saxophone. (Euphonium will still be my primary instrument in concert band). Since I have been playing euph for a while, I don't think air support nor embouchure strength will be an issue. That is why I am leaning towards a #2.5 reed over a #2 reed. Do you recommend otherwise? Also which brand would you recommend (Rico, Vandoren, Hemke, etc)?

Thanks!

 

[kevgermany]

Reed strengths vary from maker to maker and between ranges from the same maker. Also the different reeds in each maker's range vary in cut, so play differently. Most of us experiment to find something that work with the mouthpiece we're using.

With sax, control over the reed is critical. Which means a combination of strength in the lips and fine control of them. We mostly start with softer reeds and move up a strength at a time as the embouchure develops.

No idea on your mouthpiece, you haven't said what the tip opening is, but I'd guess at starting with a rico orange box 2, expecting to move harder fairly quickly, so don't buy more than a couple.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Brass embouchure won't work on woodwind.

 

[Euphotone97]

Thanks for the replies!

you haven't said what the tip opening is,

Is there specific terminology for this?

but I'd guess at starting with a rico orange box 2, expecting to move harder fairly quickly, so don't buy more than a couple.

My friend, who is giving me lessons, gave me one of her Vandoren #3's. I can get an "OK" sound out with it, but it is not easy. I might have been doing something wrong.

I'm thinking about getting a couple Rico #2's and #2.5's and see which work better.

Brass embouchure won't work on woodwind.

Yes, the shapes of the embouchures are completely different. I was referring to the strength of the muscles in the lips themselves. Or does that not matter when switching between brass and woodwind?

 

[nigeld]

My friend, who is giving me lessons, gave me one of her Vandoren #3's. I can get an "OK" sound out with it, but it is not easy. I might have been doing something wrong.

Vandoren 3 is a hard reed - too hard to start with. So it's not surprising you found it difficult.

I'm thinking about getting a couple Rico #2's and #2.5's and see which work better.

That should be better. You will probably change the strength as you play more.

 

[Euphotone97]

No idea on your mouthpiece, you haven't said what the tip opening is,

Did some research. I think this is the same mouthpiece, which means the tip openning is 0.060".

“Coast” Hard Rubber Alto Sax Mouthpiece – 0.060″ Tip Opening | Doctor Sax Woodwinds

 

[Justin Chune]

A Yamaha 4c is probably all the mouthpiece you will need for a while and Rico #2 or 2.5 reeds will do just fine.

If the mouthpiece you have plays OK stick with it. I recall that Raffault mouthpieces were well regarded.

 

[Euphotone97]

Thanks all for your help!