Klarinet Archive - Posting 000074.txt from 2008/07

From: kurtheisig@-----.net
Subj: Re: [kl] RE: Tenor Sax Mouhpieces
Date: Tue, 08 Jul 2008 05:13:43 -0400

Christy,

One of the problems with the mthpcs mentioned is that many of them are really not what they say they are. The Links and Meyers died decades ago.

I make jazz tenor mouthpieces that have been used by many top pros--including Pharoah Sanders, Bert Wilson (Lennie Picketts teacher), Don Baillie, (all proteges of John Coltrane), Chuck Stentz, Mauro DiGioia, Steve Berlin, Karlton Hester (he has 3), and yet I just started a new 12 year old student on one Saturday. He has played about a year. He instantly went from a mousy little sound to a big full tone. I have a 13 year old girl on one who has a sound that most pros would envy.

I never need a mic, and bury most electronic bands with absolutely no effort. Full tone or FFF sub-tone. Yet I can play old ballads in tiny clubs so softly you can sit next to me and talk to someone like you were sitting at your kitchen table.

They are very easy to blow, and not fatiguing after several hours of playing.

I make sure that all of them have a clear and easy altissimo at least to the f above Hi f.

The reeds that you have mentioned all need to be lengthened in cut slightly for use on a jazz mouthpiece. How much depends on the mthpc. That is a very easy thing to do and takes under 2 minutes to do well. (Use a "w" cut staying clear of the sides and center of the reed, extending the profile a bit.) This will immensely help your intonation and low response problems. The primary vibrating point on the reed moves up and down the vamp as your fingers move up and down the horn, and if the reed is not FUNCTIONALLY long enough in the vamp the low notes won't speak. (Same if you bite, or the rails are uneven, or the baffle poorly made, or, or , or )

Call me and I will be glad to walk you through several things that will actually help.

Tenor is an exceedingly easy horn to play VERY well.

If you get near Monterey, Santa Cruz, or Saratoga Calif. I would be glad to show you a few quick things that will solve all of the problems you mention.

Kurt
(831) 425-5658
(Call 24/7, it is a business line in one of my studios.)

-----Original Message-----
>From: Christy Erickson <woodshome7@-----.com>
>Sent: Jul 7, 2008 5:38 AM
>To: klarinet list <klarinet@-----.org>
>Subject: [kl] RE: Tenor Sax Mouhpieces
>
>I've been playing a Selmer Mark VI tenor sax since January and haven't been
>able to find a suitable mouthpiece. I am a clarinet player who started
>playing alto saxophone about 4 years ago. I use a Beechler mouthpiece on my
>Yamaha alto that I love.
>
>I've tried several different mouthpieces on the tenor, some of which caused
>intonation problems for me. Does anyone have suggestions for jazz
>mouthpieces that will be compatible with this tenor? I'm very picky about
>tone. For several months I "settled" on a metal Selmer level air mouthpiece
>but it doesn't give me the tone I'm looking for. Christy Erickson
>
>
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>

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