 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bigno16
Date: 2005-04-04 21:58
I'm playing the Reed 3 Book (Clarinet & Tenor Saxophone) for Bye Bye Birdie.
Thus, I need to double tenor and re-teach myself how to play it (I "learned" it once to fill a necessary spot in a jazz concert 2 years ago).
On clarinet, I play on a Vandoren B40 13 MPC with Vandoren V-12 Size 3.5 reeds. I'll probably be borrowing my school's Alpine Tenor, but think that the mouthpiece they'll supply won't be that great.
What do you think would be the ideal mouthpiece and reed type/strength for me to use with the tenor (Perhaps a synthetic?)? I'm looking for a better sound and good control. Most especially control because I was unable to play the lower notes on the tenor when I used to. Any ideas would be helpful.
Also, any helpful hints on getting things going again with the tenor would help. I know the embouchure is looser and I need to use more air and such, but that's about it.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2005-04-04 22:56
fwiw, i start most students on Selmer C* mouthpieces, Rovner dark ligatures, and 2.5 Vandoren reeds (blue box). some move fairly quickly to #3's, most stay on 2.5's for several years.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Merlin
Date: 2005-04-05 04:41
I've played the same clarinet setup quite a bit, so I'll give you a suggestion.
For show playing, you need to be able to produce an acceptable commercial/jazz sound, with excellent dynamic control.
Hard rubber Otto Link mouthpieces are great for this. The larger chamber facilitates a nice fat, warm low register. Picking a moderate facing (5, 5*, 6, 6*) allows you to keep it well controlled and go back and forth to clarinet with ease.
A 5* with a some kind of #3 reed is a good starting point.
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Author: William
Date: 2005-04-05 14:22
I use a Guardalla "Studio" metal on my tenor sax with medium hard reeds. No special brand of cane, but recently, I have been having great results with a Legere 2.25 reed.
Post Edited (2005-04-05 16:29)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-04-05 16:05
For tenor saxophone, I've totally converted to Légère studio cut reeds, used with a metal Link or metal Berg Larsen.
They play the same - day after day...GBK
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2005-04-05 18:18
Bigno16,
As with clarinet, mouthpiece & reed selection on the tenor saxophone is an individual personal matter. Just because I get good results with my particular set up on tenor it doesn't mean that you would be happy with it.
Merlin's suggestion of a Link in a moderate facing is a good one. I would also suggest trying a Ralph Morgan mouthpiece...perhaps a 5L (large chamber). This is a good general-use mouthpiece that has fans among both jazz and classical saxophonists. It has a large, warm, rich sound with excellent projection. The bottom line is that it's best to try a selection of mouthpieces and see which one(s) you personally like.
Having good control in the low register can sometimes be a problem if you're using a tip opening that's too open for your chops. I think that it's best to start on the moderate side -- around .080 - .090 on tenor.
One problem with a Selmer C* on tenor is that it's tip opening is smaller in relationship to a C* on alto. Ideally, there should be around a .012 - .015 difference between a tip opening on an alto mouthpiece and a comparable model on tenor. A Selmer D on tenor would be more comparable to a C* on alto.
Personally, I haven't had much luck with synthetic reeds. Believe me, I'd LOVE to find one that has the tonal qualities of my favorite cane reed. But, I haven't found one yet that I like. My reed of choice is Alexander Classique. Wonderful sound and response! Depending upon your mouthpiece, I'd suggest starting with a box of #2.5 and a box of #3 to see how they work for you.
Hope this helps. Please let us know how you come out.
Roger
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