Saxophone Forum


by HomesteadMarchingBand
(2 posts)
7 years ago

Sax Mouthpiece

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a good mouthpiece for a tenor sax, preferably that I can use with a bit of a tighter embouchure (I'm mainly a clarinet player). I currently play a super action 80 series I in my high school's jazz band. Any help is appreciated.

P.S. My budget is $150 but I can go up to $200

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  1. by HomesteadMarchingBand
    (2 posts)

    7 years ago

    Re: Sax Mouthpiece

    Also I'll take any recommendations for soprano, alto, or bari (also super action 80s) 

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  2. by mijderf
    (282 posts)

    7 years ago

    Re: Sax Mouthpiece

    You don't mention if you prefer HR or metal, but since you are mainly a clarinet player, I will assume that you are looking for hard rubber.  Here are a couple of reviews of some good jazz tenor mouthpieces that are on Steve Neff's website.

    http://www.neffmusic.com/blog/2017/04/daddario-select-jazz-tenor-saxophone-mouthpiece-review/

    http://www.neffmusic.com/blog/2016/11/phil-tone-jz-series-tenor-saxophone-mouthpiece-review/

    They are both closer to the $200 price point.

    Also, I was also originally a clarinet player who then picked up the alto and tenor saxes.  From my experience, you can probably get by on alto with a tighter embouchure, but you really need to learn to roll over less lip and relax your embouchure on tenor.  That longer tenor reed really needs to vibrate freely with no damping from the lip or pinching from embouchure in order to get full and lush sounding low notes.

    Good luck, and have fun in jazz band! 

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  3. by mijderf
    (282 posts)

    7 years ago

    Re: Sax Mouthpiece

    You also do not mention your tip size.  There is one Macsax Aura sized new mouthpiece on this very site:
    https://www.saxquest.com/product/view/the-new-aura-3d-printed-mouthpiece-for-tenor-sax-7-P8504

    These mouthpieces have recently been discontinued, and generally have gotten great reviews. However, they only have 7* (.105) tip opening available, and I don't know if that is appropriate for you.

    Note, the price is below $100. 

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  4. by GFC
    (842 posts)

    7 years ago

    Re: Sax Mouthpiece

    Just want to add some emphasis to what mjderf wrote about developing a proper saxophone embouchure.  Put it in front of your search for a new mouthpiece.  Selecting a mouthpiece to accommodate improper technique will limit your choices severely and put you on the path to wasting a whole lot of money.  There are online articles on tone-building exercises and access to online lessons at bestsaxophonewebsiteever.com if you are unable to find someone local to give you one-on-one coaching.  Once you're confident of your technique try out some different mouthpieces either in a store or throught an online retailer with a trial program to find the piece that suits you best.  

    The Bari Standard hard rubber mouthpiece is very popular as a step-up mouthpiece and is available for around $100.

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    1. by cynthiamyra
      (2 posts)

      7 years ago

      Re: Sax Mouthpiece

      Yes, I definitely agree here. Thanks for the post, Very informative.

      ____________________
      Thanks

      David K's Music School - http://www.davidksmusicschool.com/
      Almaden School of Music & Art - http://www.almadenschool.com/

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