What makes a good mouthpiece?

[philhowe]

Hi everyone,

I am a beginner with the Alto sax, just 5 weeks. I have hired a Trevor James Horn Revolution II which came with a standard mouthpiece and BG ligature. I have been using a Rico Royal 2 and Vandoren 1.5 reed.

I was given a present the other day, a Selmer S80 C* mouthpiece.

Wow, what a difference it has made to my playing, smoother nodes generally, better definition overall and the higher notes, F# and G are easier to reach and maintain. The Vandoren 1.5 and the Selmer mouthpiece seem to work really well together.

My question is: Why?

Visually there is little difference between the two mouthpieces, they appear to be made of the same shiny black material, the gap at the end of the reed is about the same. The only significant difference is the internal cavity shape; the Selmer is square, whilst my original mouthpiece has a round cavity.

Thanks in advance,

Phil

 

[Pete Thomas]

Apert from the player, the mouthpiece has the biggest effect on shaping the sound, more than the saxophone itself or the reed.

the internal dimensions are crucial and a tiny difference in spec can make a big difference in sound.

 

[philhowe]

Thanks Pete...

Phil