Klarinet Archive - Posting 000434.txt from 1998/05

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Hey - All youse Sax Professors out dere...
Date: Sat, 9 May 1998 19:31:30 -0400

On Sat, 9 May 1998, Kevin Fay wrote:

> Far, far more important for the "classical" sound than the instrument,
> however, is the proper mouthpiece. Use a Sigurd Rascher--nothing else
> is nearly as good. It comes in exactly one facing (his). It's based on
> the design that A. Sax himself submitted to the patent office, and is
> apparently a reproduction of an early 1920s Buescher.

I'm very sorry to see advice such as this appearing on the list. I'm
afraid a lot of young, impressionable students might accept this as
immutable truth. There are a few problems with the advice.

1. There is no mouthpiece which is right for every player, every
saxophone, and every style of music.

2. There is one mouthpiece which is used more than any other for
classical or "legitimate" playing styles on the alto sax, and it isn't the
Rasher. It is the old (1950's) Selmer Soloist short-barrel C*. Many
mouthpieces on the market are copies of that venerable old style, so much
so that it can be called a standard. Among brands which are modeled on
the basic design of the Selmer are Rousseau and Bamber.

3. There are two basic types of chambers in saxophone mouthpieces. One
is the round chamber (Rasher style) and the other is similar to the
Selmer. While there are many variations, in general, the results of the
two types can be said to have certain consistencies. The round chamber
tends to have more resistance, and to attenuate the high overtones in the
sound. Some saxophonists (and listeners) prefer one style, and some the
other.

4. The choice of mouthpiece must be guided by the ears of the player.

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu

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