Mouthpieces Windcraft Etude, Bari Esprit or Yamaha 5C

[cappers]

I've been learning to play the sax since December 2024; started with a YAS-25 but now have a YTS-25 which I prefer. Coming along very well according to my teacher, reading the dots now without translating and finding my fingers do the right thing, got a few tunes under my belt, a bit hesitant but getting better each time.

I've tried hard not to succumb to GAS but felt that the 4C mpc which came with the tenor was a bit restrictive. Been doing lots of long tone practice with crescendo and diminuendo and found that I couldn't get very loud without either breaking up or just stopping the note. I don't believe it's my technique so I gambled on a replacement mpc.

I read as many threads as I could find and although tempted by the WIndcraft Etude and Bari Esprit - both inexpensive with good reviews - I went for a genuine new Yamaha 5C, one step up and a 'known-known'.

It arrived this morning and I played it in my practice session. It took a minute or so to get used to it, really had to ensure my breath control was correct. I dropped from RR2.5 to a RR2 which made it easier and was impressed. Lovely sound, high notes above the octave were rounder, sweeter and the low notes richer. What amazed me was that I could play much softer and quieter, and in turn louder and 'brassier'. I was not expecting such a difference considering the minor difference in tip size etc.

When I'd finished, MrsC, who didn't know about the mpc change, said I sounded very nice today, 'lush and mellow' as she put it!

 

[mizmar]

Slippery slope!

 

[cappers]

Slippery slope!

I think that the 5C will do me for while

 

[mizmar]

I think that the 5C will do me for while

6C

 

[mizmar]

Just to add - within the Secret Society of Scholarly '25 Players, being a; Player 4Class, 5Class and 6Class are recognised progressions through the ranks...
Then it's just a few Ordeals; fire, monsters, Légère Reeds, rhythm changes, winning the heart of the queen of the underworld and you're done.

 

[cappers]

Just to add - within the Secret Society of Scholarly '25 Players, being a; Player 4Class, 5Class and 6Class are recognised progressions through the ranks...
Then it's just a few Ordeals; fire, monsters, Légère Reeds, rhythm changes, winning the heart of the queen of the underworld and you're done.

Gosh! Cappers is now a Corporal in the SSS 25 Brigade! Do we have a funny handshake?

You omitted wrestling a bear and rescuing a damsel or is it the other way around?

I might go up to a 2.5 as today the 2 felt 'flabby' if that makes sense.

Happy days.

 

[mizmar]

You omitted wrestling a bear and rescuing a damsel or is it the other way around?

I can tell you, but then you'd have to move to playing clarinet 😎

 

[Colin the Bear]

Say what?🐻

 

[PiccoloPirate]

Hopefully you practice the Overtone exercises, every day.
Flabby can also be a sign of worn out.
A 2.5 sounds reasonable.

I mainly play a medium as it relates to LaVoz, on a HR 95/0 Berg, for over 5 decades.
Have MH and MS on hand.
Rico Royals as well.
None newer than 20+ years old.
Just bought a Bronze Berg 100/0 for backup. Use the same strength reeds
Measurements are pretty accurate on both, .095" & .100"
Interesting how many cuts and variations are available today, but working on reeds, is something you might learn, when necessary.

Those V21 Clarinet reeds are stiff.
LaVoz Med and Med/Hard work with the current MPs, for C and Bb.

 

[mizmar]

You omitted wrestling a bear and rescuing a damsel ...

And understanding enharmonic keys

 

[cappers]

Hopefully you practice the Overtone exercises, every day.
Flabby can also be a sign of worn out.
A 2.5 sounds reasonable.

@PiccoloPirate Overtones are often by mistake, sometimes deliberately!

"Flabby can slo be a sign of worn out." The reed or me?

And understanding enharmonic keys

@mizmar Yes B# = C ! (mostly )

 

[DavidUK]

Richard at D'Addario suggested a LaVoz medium for my 6C on YTS-62.
It works well, for an alto player struggling with the occasional tenor.

 

[Gendreau1]

Gosh! Cappers is now a Corporal in the SSS 25 Brigade! Do we have a funny handshake?

You omitted wrestling a bear and rescuing a damsel or is it the other way around?

I might go up to a 2.5 as today the 2 felt 'flabby' if that makes sense.

Happy days

 

[Gendreau1]

Great choice on buying Yamaha 5 C Mouthpiece.
Yes moving up from a 2.0 to a 2.5 does make a lot of sense.
Are you playing on synthetic or cane reeds? Legere 2.25 reeds are equal to 2.5 cane reeds. I recommend 2.25 American cut or 2.25 French cut Legere reeds.

 

[cappers]

Great choice on buying Yamaha 5 C Mouthpiece.
Yes moving up from a 2.0 to a 2.5 does make a lot of sense.
Are you playing on synthetic or cane reeds? Legere 2.25 reeds are equal to 2.5 cane reeds. I recommend 2.25 American cut or 2.25 French cut Legere reeds.

@Gendreau1 Yes, for me the 5C has been an improvement, and no problem on the 2.5 today.

So far I've been using cane reeds.
My teacher uses Legeres. He likes them because they save time and he can keep them on his saxes all day and just pick one up and play during lessons. Ditto in his band.

Do synthetic reeds take time to get used to? There is variance within cane reeds but if tsynthetics are more consistent that is a bonus especially for a relative beginners.

 

[Gendreau1]

@Gendreau1 Yes, for me the 5C has been an improvement, and no problem on the 2.5 today.

So far I've been using cane reeds.
My teacher uses Legeres. He likes them because they save time and he can keep them on his saxes all day and just pick one up and play during lessons. Ditto in his band.

Do synthetic reeds take time to get used to? There is variance within cane reeds but if tsynthetics are more consistent that is a bonus especially for a relative beginners.

I am a comeback hobbyist player but do like the Legere reeds.

In December 2024, after break of two years came back to playing sax.

In the past did play cane reeds but migrated to synthetic reeds. Although expensive I do like Legere reeds.

Have tried all the different types and several strengths. Now I play 2.25 strength French Cut, Signature, and American cut.
When I play my older studio cut 2.0 reed don’t like the sound.

There is a slight sound difference between my 2.5 cane reeds with synthetic reeds.

For me there is a minimum break in period but worth it. Convenience, consistency, longevity are the best reasons to buy these reeds.

When these reeds wear out, I am buying French cut and American cut reeds only.
The classic cut does not agree with me. Signature is not as responsive as the other reeds.

French cut have a dark full complex sound The American cut is very bright and great projection.

The reeds did match well with my previously owned Yamaha 5 C mouthpiece. Plays and fits well with my Rousseau 6 Studio and Rousseau JDX mouthpieces.

 

[ghostler]

You omitted wrestling a bear and rescuing a damsel or is it the other way around?

I can tell you, but then you'd have to move to playing clarinet 😎

A promotion? Cool! 😉

 

[Tenor Viol]

"Flabby can slo be a sign of worn out." The reed or me?

Reed

 

[Tenor Viol]

Synthetic reeds are like any other aspect of instrument playing, a minefield. People's views and experiences vary enormously and there's no real substitute for just trying them and seeing what you like. On the plus side, you put them on and play. On the down side, some are expensive and they don't last for ever. Of the ones I've tried, I prefer Légère but they're also expensive.

 

[ghostler]

I've tried synthetics, but as you say, @Tenor Viol , they do wear out for the high expense they cost. I get consistently better results with cane and as such have remained with cane.