Klarinet Archive - Posting 000278.txt from 2006/10

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Kinda OT: Saxophone Mouthpieces?
Date: Wed, 18 Oct 2006 23:22:54 -0400

At 11:14 AM 10/18/2006 -0400, Lynn wrote:

>I truly feel the mouthpiece is "too much" for him and is a big part of the
>problem (my husband also says mouthpieces can be "too much" for a kid -
>the little guy is only 11). Not every mouthpiece is right for every
>person. He has to practically swallow the mouthpiece to get any low notes
>out. If a clarinet student did that, I'd say the facing was either too
>long or too open, or a different reed size was needed.

More likely too long. The C* is a relatively close facing.

>Maybe the reed Isn't right for the mouthpiece. I really don't know much
>about sax facings and how they affect reeds and reed strength for tone and
>production. It's a lot different than clarinet. I will try a softer
>reed with him again, in any case. The teacher had him on a *2* and it was
>like playing on paper. We tried each size on the way up and the 3.5
>seemed to suit him best.

The 2 is too soft, but the 3.5 may be on the hard side for a 6th grader,
but not unreasonable for a C* generally.

>>>Meyer is the mouthpiece most recommended by high school jazz band
>>>teachers. you can get it for under $100 at musicmaster-online.com
>
>What facing number would be good? I used to have my high school alto
>players get Meyer 4's and 5s.

On alto the 5M is standard. For tenor probably a 6M. I believe the Meyer
facing is shorter, and the tip will be more open even with the 5M, so for
both reasons expect to have to back off the reed strength.

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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