How do I choose a saxophone mouthpiece?

The Saxophone Mouthpiece (and Clarinet Mouthpiece) Tip Size, or Tip-Opening, is the distance between the reed and mouthpiece tip. This number is usually on the side of the mouthpiece body, or on the table. The smaller the tip size the more narrow the opening; the larger the tip size the larger the opening.

What type of mouthpiece does the saxophone use?

Clarinet and saxophone mouthpieces have been made out of hard (vulcanized) rubber, brass or other metal, crystal, glass, plastic, and wood. Today, the most common material for professional clarinet and (classical) saxophone mouthpieces is hard rubber.

Why does my saxophone sound bad?

Shift the mouthpiece forward slightly so that it’s not covering too much of the reed. If your saxophone is making quiet, muffled sounds, place the mouthpiece further into your mouth. If it sounds like you’re not getting enough air into your saxophone, you probably aren’t; covering more of the reed will help.

Why does my saxophone sound airy?

An airy sound is usually caused by a reed which is either too hard or unbalanced. Less often, an improper placement of the reed or ligature on the mouthpiece, a poor embouchure, a low-quality mouthpiece, or a broken octave mechanism may cause airiness.

What is the best mouthpiece for a jazz saxophonist?

The OLR-404-7S Tone Edge mouthpiece is an excellent choice for a jazz saxophonist and Otto Links have been used by jazz players for over 50 years. This piece comes with a cap and ligature. The tip opening is a #7, meaning somewhat large.

Are selselmer saxophones any good?

Selmer is a popular saxophone brand that’s well-known for their high-quality instruments. They have been played for years by amateurs and professionals alike. The S-80 C tenor sax mouthpiece is their top modern offering and is the ‘standard’ mouthpiece for ensemble players.

Which mouthpiece for C melody saxophone?

Alto players often find that one of their pro alto mouthpieces work on their C melody. Some folks recommend this especially if you: Tenor players often find that one of their pro tenor mouthpieces work on their C melody. Some folks recommend this especially if you Have a C melody sax with a tenor-style neck.

Why are cheap saxophone mouthpieces so bad?

The combination of cheap mouthpieces and a beginner’s technique will inevitably produce a poor sound. Getting a good saxophone mouthpiece will help you achieve the sounds you hear on your favorite records and it will help you play with ease.