Klarinet Archive - Posting 000392.txt from 1999/07

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Alto Sax Mouthpieces
Date: Wed, 14 Jul 1999 16:16:23 -0400

On Mon, 12 Jul 1999, Kevin Fay (LCA) wrote:

> For "legit" saxophoning, you have 2 basic choices. If you are like
> me, and are of the belief that Sigurd Rascher's approach is the way a
> saxophone should sound, the *only* mouthpiece to have is -- you
> guessed it -- the Sigurd Rascher. It's a copy of an early 20th
> century Buescher, has a huge bore and small tip opening. (Of course,
> if you can find a 1920s Buescher, use it). This is a quasi-religious
> knee-jerk reaction on my part, please note.

I like the way you state this, although my approach to the saxophone seems
to be just about the exact opposite of yours. As a former student of
Rousseau, who was himself a student of Marcel Mule, that wouldn't be
surprising. I have often observed that among saxophonists, discussions of
Mule vs. Rascher are about like discussing religion or politics in many
other circles.

Here's an example of my problem with the Rascher school. I once heard a
recital given by saxophone quartet, all the members of which were of the
Rascher persuasion. One of them, the leader, is a very famous name in
the saxophone world, and he had been a student of Rascher. All the others
were his students.

The sound that these players made was not what I am accustomed to on the
saxophone, but it was certainly not unpleasant. However, all four players
appeared to be huffing and puffing as hard as they could, turning red and
purple in the face, panting like dogs at the end of every movement, and
yet, from 40 feet away from the stage, they could hardly be heard. I was
feeing empathetically for them, and I had the distinct impression that I
would feel the same way as they if I were playing a saxophone with many
leaky pads and the bore stuffed with rags.

To me, playing a wind instrument is difficult enough without adding any
additional difficulties to it. I like for an instrument to be
free-blowing, responsive and resonant. I'm not at all concerned that the
saxophone can tend to have a brighter, more projecting tone, and that
except in the best of circumstances the lowest register can be very touchy
at the lowest dynamic levels.

So, as the saying goes, different strokes for different folks. You say
po-TAY-to, I say po-TAH-to, etc.

Ed Lacy
*****************************************************************
Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
*****************************************************************

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