How to Choose the Right Saxophone Mouthpiece
If you’re an alto sax player or tenor saxophone player, then you know the importance of choosing the right saxophone mouthpiece.
Good saxophone mouthpieces can make a huge difference in your sound and playing experience.
But with so many options out there, it can be difficult to know which one is best for you.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at different types of saxophone mouthpieces and how to choose the right one.
Which part is the Mouthpiece?
To put it simply, the sax mouthpiece is the piece that connects the reed (the thin strip of cane attached with a ligature) to the neck of the instrument.
The position of the mouthpiece changes the flatness or sharpness of the saxophone by a simple push or pull on the cork of the neck on the horn.
It's made from hard rubber or metal and has either a small chamber, large chamber and various sized tip openings.
The shape and size affect how easily sound is produced, which will make your playing experience vary from difficult to superior.
Why Do Saxophone Mouthpieces Matter?
The type of mouthpiece you use will have a direct impact on your ability to produce sound as well as its quality and tone.
This is why it is critical for a beginner to find an alto saxophone mouthpiece that will suit them.
Different types of saxophone mouthpieces can produce different sounds; Generally the difference is that some may be louder while others may be more mellow.
If you're looking for more volume in your performance, then choosing a large tip opening mouthpiece might be best; if you want a softer sound with increased control over articulation then opting for a smaller tip opening would work much better for you.
The size of the chamber also plays a role similarly in the way in which the tip openings do for the sound.
Ultimately, choosing the right saxophone mouthpiece depends on your individual needs as a musician; whether that's a regular alto saxophone mouthpiece, rock, or jazz mouthpieces.
Choosing The Right Mouthpiece
Before you get started, be sure to find a music store that has an above average mouthpiece selection.
This will play the largest role in which mouthpiece you end up with.
Now, When choosing a mouthpiece for your saxophone, there are several factors that you should consider.
First...
It's important to think about what style of music you are playing and choose a mouthpiece accordingly.
Be sure to go in with an idea of the kind of sound you are looking for; a rounded sound, bright sound, dark sound etc.
For instance, if you're playing jazz music then you may want to choose from jazz mouthpieces with larger chambers and tip openings that produce more volume and depth in sound.
On the other hand, classical music requires a dark tone on saxophone so opting for classical mouthpieces with a small chamber would be best for this style of music.
If you’re searching for best seller mouthpieces or searching for specific brands like Selmer Paris, that's not necessarily the best approach to finding alto saxophone mouthpieces that meet your needs.
I recommend to find a music store with a large selection and seek guidance from a saxophone player there.
Types of Saxophone Mouthpieces
The first step in finding great sax mouthpieces is to understand which type of gear are available.
There are two main types: metal and ebonite (or hard rubber/plastic) mouthpieces.
Metal mouthpieces tend to have a much brighter tone and are often used for Jazz music and Rock and Roll.
Ebonite (hard rubber/plastic) mouthpieces have a warmer tone and are better suited for classical music or orchestra performance. (In high school I did at times play in the Orchestra on Alto Sax!)
Another important factor to consider when choosing a saxophone mouthpiece is its size.
Most alto saxophonists use a medium-large bore size, but some prefer smaller bores for more control over their sound.
Sizes are largely determined by the size of the tip opening. The larger the number, the larger the tip opening and as a result a brighter sound.
The reed strength also plays a role; if you have been playing on a beginner level reed hardness, you may want to graduate to working with harder reeds paired with hard rubber jazz mouthpieces.
The Anatomy of a Saxophone Mouthpiece
A saxophone mouthpiece is made up of several components.
The first component is whether it is a metal mouthpiece or a hard rubber/plastic mouthpiece.
The second component is the tip opening, which effects your embouchure.
The third component is the chamber size which can increase projection and deliver a bright sound.
The final componenet is the brand like selmer, Meyer, Vandoren or Otto Link.
Brands for Saxophone mouthpieces
Vandoren
This is one popular brand of alto saxophone mouthpieces.
I use the V16 which has been my favorite alto saxophone mouthpiece.
Vandoren is popular for classical as well but my mouthpiece is more closely associated with jazz mouthpieces.
It is a hard rubber alto saxophone mouthpiece, which has great versatility for jazz saxophone practice and performance.
Otto Link
I don’t have experience with an Otto link but I know that it is a best seller among Metallic saxophone mouthpieces.
I imagine the Otto link has better projection because it is metallic.
It is a long standing brand for jazz mouthpieces for alto yet I have yet to try an Otto Link alto saxophone mouthpiece.
Selmer
One of my favorite alto saxophone mouthpieces for classical is my C star from Selmer Paris.
My Selmer Paris sax mouthpiece has worked for me since I was in middle school.
The usage of this hard rubber mouthpiece quickly set me apart from other beginners when I started out.
I strongly recommend it for sax players looking for alto saxophone mouthpieces.
Meyer
The Meyer alto saxophone mouthpiece is another great brand to select from for Jazz Mouthpieces.
I have only tried out the Meyer brand mouthpieces in stores.
I must say that I really do like the sound that they produce, however, it never had quite the warmth as when I play with my Vandoren V16 alto sax mouthpiece.
Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
Mouthpieces need regular cleaning to keep them in top condition and maintain good playing quality.
In order to keep your saxophone mouthpiece in good condition it's important to take care when cleaning it after use – especially if you use a metal mouthpiece which can corrode if not properly cared for.
Use warm water mixed with mild soap or an alcohol-based cleaner along with a soft cloth or Q-Tips.
This will help remove any grime or saliva buildup without damaging the finish on your piece or potentially affecting its sound quality over time if left unchecked.
Finally
Rinse off any remaining soap with clean water before drying off your reed completely before putting it away for storage or use again.
Maintaining your saxophone mouthpiece is key to keeping it in good condition over time - after all, it's an investment!
Lastly, always store your instrument in its case when not in use to ensure that dust does not collect on any parts - this will help prolong its lifespan!
Conclusion:
Saxophone mouthpieces are incredibly important when it comes to producing quality sounds from your saxophone.
Finding the right saxophone mouthpiece can be tricky but with some research and trial-and-error, you’ll eventually find something that works best for you!
There are plenty of options available so make sure to do some research before making a purchase - consider factors like price point, material used (hard rubber vs metal), chamber size etc - then pick one that suits both your playing ability and budget!
Understanding how they work and choosing one that suits both your playing ability and comfort level can be challenging at first but once mastered will allow you greater mastery over sound production than ever before!
And don’t forget proper maintenance - clean regularly using warm water & mild soap/alcohol based cleaner plus store safely when not in use!
Doing this will ensure that your saxophone sounds great now and many years into the future!
Related:
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Alto Vs. Tenor: What's The Difference?