This is a terrific set of explanations. This is also the first time I've seen a good explanation of what a "dark" vs "bright" sound is, something I've not really understood if I am honest. Think I will try a spectrum analyzer app with the mouth pieces I have.
Just want to add a few comments from my experience changing mouthpieces. Almost a year ago, I returned to regular sax playing after a break of over 20 years (kids! - just didn't have the time and had to give up playing in a band I played in for 15 years). Wow has the music information world changed since I last played regularly! Anyway, I played with a Selmer D metal mouthpiece for years on an old Conn tenor. Think that's around a 3 or a 4 tip opening (classical). I decided to switch to a wider tip opening (using a software reed, on the advice of my saxophone tutor - something you mentioned in your excellent video) - ended up with a 6 Jody Jazz custom dark. Took me a while to get used to it but I love it and it definitely has a warmer sound which I like a lot. And I seem to be able to hit the low notes (Bb etc) more easily than I used to. However ..... I once tried to go back to my old selmer setup and I could hardly play it! Guess I would need to practice that setup to get used to it again? :-)
Hi Stephen thanks for sharing! That’s interesting how the classical mouthpiece was harder to play after switching to a jazz mpc for a while. I noticed that my classical mouthpiece can’t be pushed like my jazz pieces, that might be part of it. You must be used to using more air now.
I really liked the frequency spectrum analysis for each of the tenor mpc's, you can actually see the difference in the sound. The differences are there, but to me, it's not really huge. I have always played on a Meyer 5M for my alto and after playing on a metal Otto Link 8* for almost 20 years, I switched to a SYOS ChadLB model and have been playing on that piece for a few years now and really like the sound and response. I'm not the one to change equipment too much, whereas I have know players who change their gear a lot. I guess in the end, each player will need to figure out what works for himself/herself. Thank you for the informative video!
Hey Alan, I’m glad you enjoyed the mouthpiece test! I’m looking for ways to keep exploring and testing different things that we think about as sax players. I was surprised that the differences between the mouthpieces was subtle. I may test out some more extreme mouthpieces to see how the EQ analyzer reacts.
I've always been looking to get a new mouthpiece that isn't the random student mouthpiece I got on my alto (it's so old the label is worn out so I don't even exactly know what it is). Really glad I watched this to get a better understanding of mouthpieces in general.
Great presentation. I enjoyed seeing the spectrum analysis. My guess is that the sonic differences between the mouthpieces were probably greater in person but were diminished by the recording setup: room, microphone(s) and microphone placement. Try a bigger space and other microphones and see what happens!
I want to get a new mouthpiece but with so many options I dont have a clue where to start. Currently I use a Yamaha 5C and feel restricted and I want something with a higher baffle and probably a slightly bigger tip opening. With all the brands that are out there what would you suggest? I like metal MP's and I want to transition to one but not opposed to a rubber one either. I bought a #7 Yibuy from Amazon and seems to have a MUCH MUCH larger tip opening then what the 7 may suggest lol. Thanks for the video gave me some food for thought.
A 6 or 7 mouthpiece may be right for you. Make sure to look up the tip opening charts though because every brand is different. I would look at JodyJazz DV or even super jet if you want to get really bright. There are a lot of other options too, but I like Jody’s mouthpieces lately.
dam this is the first guy who was detail on everything about a mouthpiece no i no why my i cud play on the reeds i usually play on becuz of the tip opening
I started playing alto with a Rico C7, which gave a nice tone, but then I upgraded to a Otto Link Tone Edge 7, which improved my sound a lot (but I had to flatten the table and open the tip up a little.) Recently I started playing soprano using a Yamaha 4C, which is good, but I would like a slightly more "oboe-like" tone, -- not a classical dark tone, but that kind of "nasal tone" that Sidney Bechet or Branford Marsalis get. Since soprano is not my main instrument I don't want to spend a lot on a new mouthpiece. I am hoping that a Yamaha 6C might give me the sound I am looking for, or possibly a Vandoren V16 S8 or Otto Link Tone Edge 5*. Any suggestions?
You could use a classical style mouthpiece to play any genre. You might feel restricted though if you want to produce some of the same expressive sounds that a lot of Jazz players make. Maybe you could try a small chamber jazz mouthpiece?
That makes sense. You could either use a softer reed to fix this, or try a Vandoren 35 mpc, or even an A6. Both of those mouthpieces will be better than using a classical mouthpiece for jazz playing.
This is a terrific set of explanations. This is also the first time I've seen a good explanation of what a "dark" vs "bright" sound is, something I've not really understood if I am honest. Think I will try a spectrum analyzer app with the mouth pieces I have.
Great presentation. You provided a very understandable description of the various characteristics of mouthpieces and what they produce in sound.
Just want to add a few comments from my experience changing mouthpieces. Almost a year ago, I returned to regular sax playing after a break of over 20 years (kids! - just didn't have the time and had to give up playing in a band I played in for 15 years). Wow has the music information world changed since I last played regularly! Anyway, I played with a Selmer D metal mouthpiece for years on an old Conn tenor. Think that's around a 3 or a 4 tip opening (classical). I decided to switch to a wider tip opening (using a software reed, on the advice of my saxophone tutor - something you mentioned in your excellent video) - ended up with a 6 Jody Jazz custom dark. Took me a while to get used to it but I love it and it definitely has a warmer sound which I like a lot. And I seem to be able to hit the low notes (Bb etc) more easily than I used to. However ..... I once tried to go back to my old selmer setup and I could hardly play it! Guess I would need to practice that setup to get used to it again? :-)
Hi Stephen thanks for sharing! That’s interesting how the classical mouthpiece was harder to play after switching to a jazz mpc for a while. I noticed that my classical mouthpiece can’t be pushed like my jazz pieces, that might be part of it. You must be used to using more air now.
wow, thanks for being very simple, I have watched so many clips on mouth pieces but I rate this more
Very interesting. So much to know when you are trying to get your tone under control.
I really liked the frequency spectrum analysis for each of the tenor mpc's, you can actually see the difference in the sound. The differences are there, but to me, it's not really huge. I have always played on a Meyer 5M for my alto and after playing on a metal Otto Link 8* for almost 20 years, I switched to a SYOS ChadLB model and have been playing on that piece for a few years now and really like the sound and response. I'm not the one to change equipment too much, whereas I have know players who change their gear a lot. I guess in the end, each player will need to figure out what works for himself/herself. Thank you for the informative video!
Hey Alan, I’m glad you enjoyed the mouthpiece test! I’m looking for ways to keep exploring and testing different things that we think about as sax players. I was surprised that the differences between the mouthpieces was subtle. I may test out some more extreme mouthpieces to see how the EQ analyzer reacts.
I've always been looking to get a new mouthpiece that isn't the random student mouthpiece I got on my alto (it's so old the label is worn out so I don't even exactly know what it is). Really glad I watched this to get a better understanding of mouthpieces in general.
Yeah I’ve been there too. Let me know if you have any questions while you look!
Great presentation. I enjoyed seeing the spectrum analysis. My guess is that the sonic differences between the mouthpieces were probably greater in person but were diminished by the recording setup: room, microphone(s) and microphone placement. Try a bigger space and other microphones and see what happens!
I want to get a new mouthpiece but with so many options I dont have a clue where to start. Currently I use a Yamaha 5C and feel restricted and I want something with a higher baffle and probably a slightly bigger tip opening. With all the brands that are out there what would you suggest? I like metal MP's and I want to transition to one but not opposed to a rubber one either. I bought a #7 Yibuy from Amazon and seems to have a MUCH MUCH larger tip opening then what the 7 may suggest lol. Thanks for the video gave me some food for thought.
A 6 or 7 mouthpiece may be right for you. Make sure to look up the tip opening charts though because every brand is different. I would look at JodyJazz DV or even super jet if you want to get really bright. There are a lot of other options too, but I like Jody’s mouthpieces lately.
dam this is the first guy who was detail on everything about a mouthpiece no i no why my i cud play on the reeds i usually play on becuz of the tip opening
I'm after a good all rounder, warm and darkish, certainly not too bright. What would you suggest. Great video thanks very much.
JodyJazz has a selection that’s really easy to understand. I’d say either the HR or the DV mouthpieces are all pretty versatile.
@@AllenMusicTalk Thanks very much for the reply. Good health
Thanks for the video. I used a Selmer S80 C* mouthpiece for some time and decided to change to a regular Meyer 5M, but it squeaks a lot. Any tips?
I'm going for a claude lacky apollo alto sax. Will this give me a bright sound
I started playing alto with a Rico C7, which gave a nice tone, but then I upgraded to a Otto Link Tone Edge 7, which improved my sound a lot (but I had to flatten the table and open the tip up a little.) Recently I started playing soprano using a Yamaha 4C, which is good, but I would like a slightly more "oboe-like" tone, -- not a classical dark tone, but that kind of "nasal tone" that Sidney Bechet or Branford Marsalis get. Since soprano is not my main instrument I don't want to spend a lot on a new mouthpiece. I am hoping that a Yamaha 6C might give me the sound I am looking for, or possibly a Vandoren V16 S8 or Otto Link Tone Edge 5*. Any suggestions?
What are your thoughts on using a classical mouthpiece for jazz because I have 2 medium chamber jazz mouthpieces yet I sound better on small chamber
You could use a classical style mouthpiece to play any genre. You might feel restricted though if you want to produce some of the same expressive sounds that a lot of Jazz players make. Maybe you could try a small chamber jazz mouthpiece?
@@AllenMusicTalk my main concern is tip I tried a 45 jumbo java but it requires too much air & tip is too wide
That makes sense. You could either use a softer reed to fix this, or try a Vandoren 35 mpc, or even an A6. Both of those mouthpieces will be better than using a classical mouthpiece for jazz playing.
@@AllenMusicTalk are they less free blowing I don't like having to use so much air
Or v16 s pus smallest tip