Advice on Buying a New Mouthpiece
by Shannon Kennedy
So you're looking for a new mouthpiece and you've found the process to be
overwhelming - the selection is enormous and you just don't know where to
start. If this sounds like you, then you are in the right place - this article is
here to help you simplify and de-stress (as opposed to distress) the mouthpiece
purchasing experience.
There are a lot of things to consider when looking at a new mouthpiece - the tip
opening, the tone chamber, the types of materials used to make the mouthpiece,
the length of the lay, etc. - all important things to think about when choosing a
mouthpiece.
To start - the material the mouthpiece is made of changes the personality
and response of the mouthpiece greatly. Here are a few examples of how the
material changes the sound. Mouthpieces are generally made out of plastic,
hard rubber or metal, but you can sometimes find wood mouthpieces. Plastic
mouthpieces tend to be the easiest to play or begin on because they are not
very resistant. Hard rubber mouthpieces tend to promote the fundamental sound
of the saxophone, with a little bit more resistance than the plastic mouthpiece.
Metal mouthpieces create a kind of "laser tone" - the can enhance the power and
volume of the instrument and also help achieve the overtone series.
The bore size of the mouthpiece also changes the response of your mouthpiece.
Bore sizes are usually defined as small, medium and large. Small bore mouthpieces
enhance the higher frequencies of the sax, giving the player a brighter sound.
Small bore mouthpieces are best used playing lead over other saxophones or soloing
over a large group. Medium bore mouthpieces creates a sound that more easily blends
with an ensemble than a small bore, but still allows the player the volume to solo
with a group. A large bore mouthpiece gives the saxophone a darker sound which is
best for classical saxophone ensembles.
Although the design of the mouthpiece gives it its own characteristics,
the most important part of mouthpiece selection is the player. No two
saxophone players are exactly the same, so what works for one person might
not work for you. Therefore, use what you are comfortable and happy with -
don't go get something because it is what someone else uses.
