Mouthpieces
Saxophone Mouthpiece
Citation: Neal. Saxophone Mouthpiece. Sax Station, 2012, <http://saxstation.com/saxophone-mouthpiece.htm>.
Article Title: Saxophone Mouthpiece
Author: Neal
Instrument: Saxophone
Magazine or Journal Title: Sax Station
Summary:
A. Mouthpiece makes difference in sound
1. Use the one that comes with the instrument initially
2. After 2-3 years get new one
3. Main thing is to try them out and find individual preference
B. The Search
1. Bring another musician with you when trying mouthpieces
C. Number
1. Number on mouthpiece refers to the tip opening
a. Bigger opening, more air to vibrate reed, make mouthpiece more powerful
2. Use softer reeds for more open mouthpieces
3. Larger mouthpieces don't blend well in ensembles, for solo performing
D. Materials
1. Plastic is in stock mouthpieces, not the greatest
2. Hard rubber or metal for professional mouthpieces
a. Metal: brighter sound, harder to control
3. After stock mouthpiece, move to hard rubber
4. Personal preferences: Vandoren V16, Meyer 8, Selmer 7
E. Brand
1. Different models work for different horns: alto, tenor, bari
F. Cost
1. Low cost mouthpieces can be just as good as more expensive brands
Article Title: Saxophone Mouthpiece
Author: Neal
Instrument: Saxophone
Magazine or Journal Title: Sax Station
Summary:
A. Mouthpiece makes difference in sound
1. Use the one that comes with the instrument initially
2. After 2-3 years get new one
3. Main thing is to try them out and find individual preference
B. The Search
1. Bring another musician with you when trying mouthpieces
C. Number
1. Number on mouthpiece refers to the tip opening
a. Bigger opening, more air to vibrate reed, make mouthpiece more powerful
2. Use softer reeds for more open mouthpieces
3. Larger mouthpieces don't blend well in ensembles, for solo performing
D. Materials
1. Plastic is in stock mouthpieces, not the greatest
2. Hard rubber or metal for professional mouthpieces
a. Metal: brighter sound, harder to control
3. After stock mouthpiece, move to hard rubber
4. Personal preferences: Vandoren V16, Meyer 8, Selmer 7
E. Brand
1. Different models work for different horns: alto, tenor, bari
F. Cost
1. Low cost mouthpieces can be just as good as more expensive brands
Saxophone Mouthpiece Guide
Citation: Dixon, Andrew. Saxophone Mouthpiece Guide. Saxman, <http://www.saxman.co.nz/sax-mouth.htm>.
Article Title: Saxophone Mouthpiece Guide
Author: Andrew Dixon
Instrument: Saxophone
Magazine or Journal Title: Saxman
Summary:
A. Mouthpieces
1. All players are different and have different preferences for mouthpieces
2. Before you buy:
a. Match type of mouthpiece with ensemble you'll be playing with
b. Mouthpiece must suit you, test them out before you buy
c. Like the sound you make, then you will enjoy playing
B. Structure
1. Labeling of different parts of the mouthpiece
2. Chamber
a. Larger chamber equals full, round tone
b. Smaller chamber equals sharp sound
3. Tip opening
a. Smaller opening, easier for reed to sing, but high tones sound pinched
b. Good for beginning players
c. Advanced players use wider tip for broader sound, once embouchure is developed
d. Measurements in thousands of an inch, alto: 70-100, tenor: 90-120
4. Length of facing
a. Affects the blow resistance
b. Short facing is easier to play staccato, quicker reaction
5. Materials
a. Mouthpieces made of Ebonite (vulcanized rubber)
b. More cultivated sound
c. Metal mouthpieces for more modern compositions
d. Crystal used for soprano for it's clear tone
e. Wooden mouthpieces coming back, reinforced with metal to prevent cracking, with warm sound
C. Brands
1. Selmer: popular with beautiful round tone, student use, S80-seriese most know
2. Vandoren: classical, mainly known for their clarinet models, also for jazz
3. Meyer: big band, or solo jazz players, variety of ebonite models, also metal line
4. Rousseau: know for JDX-jazz series, easier attack with large variety of ebonite and metal mouthpiece
5. Bari: ebonite soprano mouthpiece
6. Lakey: sharpest ebonite mouthpiece, many possibilities for advanced players
7. Otto Link: same factory as Meyer, gold colored metal series, good sound properties, tenor mouthpiece is well known, not very good ligatures though
8. Berg Larsnen: ebonite and bronze series for big band are popular, 4 different chambers
9. Ponzol: well balanced, hand finished, silver-brass line, factory made now
10. Jeffrey Lawton: finished by hand, 3 different chamber, ebonite, steel, and bronze
11. Bobby Dukoff: loud sound, 4 different chambers, not well finished
12. Dave Guardala: no longer available
13. Brancher: new, high-tech design metal mouthpieces for jazz and pop, B, J, and E lines
14. Rovner: Deep-V for larger opening, metal with vibration space for reed
15. Zadiak: crystal mouthpiece, soprano
16. Old Models: beautiful as before, could be damaged, small openings
Article Title: Saxophone Mouthpiece Guide
Author: Andrew Dixon
Instrument: Saxophone
Magazine or Journal Title: Saxman
Summary:
A. Mouthpieces
1. All players are different and have different preferences for mouthpieces
2. Before you buy:
a. Match type of mouthpiece with ensemble you'll be playing with
b. Mouthpiece must suit you, test them out before you buy
c. Like the sound you make, then you will enjoy playing
B. Structure
1. Labeling of different parts of the mouthpiece
2. Chamber
a. Larger chamber equals full, round tone
b. Smaller chamber equals sharp sound
3. Tip opening
a. Smaller opening, easier for reed to sing, but high tones sound pinched
b. Good for beginning players
c. Advanced players use wider tip for broader sound, once embouchure is developed
d. Measurements in thousands of an inch, alto: 70-100, tenor: 90-120
4. Length of facing
a. Affects the blow resistance
b. Short facing is easier to play staccato, quicker reaction
5. Materials
a. Mouthpieces made of Ebonite (vulcanized rubber)
b. More cultivated sound
c. Metal mouthpieces for more modern compositions
d. Crystal used for soprano for it's clear tone
e. Wooden mouthpieces coming back, reinforced with metal to prevent cracking, with warm sound
C. Brands
1. Selmer: popular with beautiful round tone, student use, S80-seriese most know
2. Vandoren: classical, mainly known for their clarinet models, also for jazz
3. Meyer: big band, or solo jazz players, variety of ebonite models, also metal line
4. Rousseau: know for JDX-jazz series, easier attack with large variety of ebonite and metal mouthpiece
5. Bari: ebonite soprano mouthpiece
6. Lakey: sharpest ebonite mouthpiece, many possibilities for advanced players
7. Otto Link: same factory as Meyer, gold colored metal series, good sound properties, tenor mouthpiece is well known, not very good ligatures though
8. Berg Larsnen: ebonite and bronze series for big band are popular, 4 different chambers
9. Ponzol: well balanced, hand finished, silver-brass line, factory made now
10. Jeffrey Lawton: finished by hand, 3 different chamber, ebonite, steel, and bronze
11. Bobby Dukoff: loud sound, 4 different chambers, not well finished
12. Dave Guardala: no longer available
13. Brancher: new, high-tech design metal mouthpieces for jazz and pop, B, J, and E lines
14. Rovner: Deep-V for larger opening, metal with vibration space for reed
15. Zadiak: crystal mouthpiece, soprano
16. Old Models: beautiful as before, could be damaged, small openings