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:: Guide Index Accessories Saxophone Mouthpieces

Alto Saxophones
Professional Alto Saxophones Intermediate Alto Saxophones Student Alto Saxophones

Tenor Saxophones
Professional Tenor Saxophones Intermediate Tenor Saxophones Student Tenor Saxophones

Some of the Questions Answered Below

How does the material of the mouthpiece affect the tone? How does the shape of the tip affect the sound? Which mouthpiece should a beginner use?

related guides
Brass Mouthpiece Guide written by Don Sumwalt Clarinet Mouthpiece Guide written by Eric McKee

Soprano Saxophones Baritone & Bass Saxophones Saxophone Necks Yamaha Saxophones Selmer Paris Saxophones P. Mauriat Saxophones Keilwerth Saxophones Yanagisawa Saxophones Selmer Saxophones Amati Saxophones Allora Saxophones Etude Saxophones Saxophone Reeds
Alto Saxophone Reeds Tenor Saxophone Reeds Soprano Saxophone Reeds Baritone & Bass Saxophone Reeds Reed Tools Vandoren Saxophone Reeds Rico Saxophone Reeds Alexander Saxophone Reeds LaVoz Saxophone Reeds Rico Royal Saxophone Reeds Hemke Saxophone Reeds Fibracell Saxophone Reeds Bari Saxophone Reeds

saxophone mouthpiece breakdown

Single Reed Guide written by Eric McKee Strings Guide written by David Rumpf Bows Guide written by David Rumpf

download charts
Alto Sax Student Jazz Mouthpiece Chart Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Chart Baritone Saxophone Mouthpiece Chart Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece Chart Tenor Sax Student Jazz Mouthpiece Chart Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Chart

top questions
Question:
What does it mean when my mouthpiece has a large chamber?

Saxophone Mouthpieces
Alto Saxophone Mouthpieces Tenor Saxophone Mouthpieces Soprano Saxophone Mouthpieces Baritone & Bass Saxophone Mouthpieces Vandoren Saxophone Mouthpieces Selmer Paris Saxophone Mouthpieces Jody Jazz Saxophone Mouthpieces Guardala Saxophone Mouthpieces Theo Wanne Saxophone Mouthpieces Rousseau Saxophone

Answer:
Larger chambers offer the player a more full and flexible sound. Smaller chambers provide a greater focus but less upward, dynamic range.

Rousseau Saxophone Mouthpieces Otto Link Saxophone Mouthpieces Morgan Saxophone Mouthpieces Meyer Saxophone Mouthpieces

materials
When speaking of mouthpiece materials, a general rule of thumb states that the softer the material, the darker and less projecting the sound. The harder the material finds just the opposite. Plastic: Usually made into student mouthpieces, plastic mouthpieces are durable and affordable. The tradeoff is the sound can be bright and difficult to focus.
featuring Jody Jazz DV Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece

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Saxophone Band Methods Saxophone Solos Woodwind Chamber Music Pop Fake Books in Eb Jazz Fake Books in Eb Blank Staff Paper

Ebonite (Hard Rubber): Offers a warmer, better focused sound than plastic. Ebonite is the preferred material for classical players and jazz musicians not needing a great deal of edge and projection. Crystal: Characterized as having very good projection and a bright sound, crystal mouthpieces are excellent for jazz and outdoor jobs. Crystal is very fragile and a soft mouthpiece pouch is highly recommended. Wood: Though rarely used, wood is the warmest material used in mouthpiece making. However, it offers the least projection of all mouthpiece materials. Wood also proves less stable than rubber or plastic. Metal-Plated Brass: The majority of metal mouthpieces are made from plated brass. These are used for playing jazz, rock and fusion. The most common plating is gold. However, other metals are used for their different sonic properties. Metal-Stainless Steel: Stainless steel offers the most projection and brightest sound of all metal mouthpieces. Facing & Tip: Where the mouthpiece meets the reed. The length of a facing is directly related to the opening of the tip. As a general rule, the longer the facing, the smaller the tip. The reverse is true for short facings. This relationship dictates many important factors for the clarinetist including reed strength, focus of sound and timbre, projection and the degree of "free-blowing". Below is a quick reference guide: Facing Open Tip Medium Tip Close Tip short medium long Resistance high medium low Reeds soft medium harder

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recommended saxophone mouthpieces

View Recommended Saxophone Mouthpieces:

Recommended Alto Sax Mouthpieces Recommended Baritone Sax Mouthpieces Recommended Soprano Sax Mouthpieces Recommended Tenor Sax Mouthpieces

baffle
The baffle is the area exactly opposite of the window and dictates the amount of "edge" or "bite" a mouthpiece displays. In general, the higher the baffle, the brighter and more projecting the sound. The lower the baffle, the more mellow and warm the sound.

choosing a mouthpiece
Choosing the correct mouthpiece plays a major role in the overall success of a player's development. Because mouthpieces are designed for a wide variety of musical styles, it is important to understand the mouthpiece's design and intent. Concert Band Mouthpieces: For general concert band playing, choose a mouthpiece with a medium length facing curve and medium to medium close tip opening. This will allow the saxophonist to use a slightly harder reed and thereby create a more focused and controllable sound. Typically, mouthpieces for concert band are made of ebonite. The most popular concert band mouthpieces include the Selmer Paris S80 and S90 Series, E. Rousseau Classic and New Classic Series, and the Vandoren Optimum Series. Jazz Band Mouthpieces: Saxophone mouthpieces designed for jazz playing are made from both ebonite and metal. Historically jazz mouthpieces have a big tip opening, high baffle and large chamber. These elements combine to give jazz saxophone players greater flexibility and a larger tone. It is important to remember that this flexibility and volume also require a great deal more control of the sound with the embouchure and air. When a student first begins using a dedicated jazz mouthpiece, it is usually a good idea to select a mouthpiece that will encourage a jazz sound yet remains more consistent in feel to a concert mouthpiece.

mouthpiece return policy

Orders of up to four mouthpieces may be purchasedwith deferred payment. There is a $4.00 cleaning and sterilization charge on each mouthpiece returned ($8.00 charge on mouthpieces over $300.00 selling price). Mouthpieces must be returned free of blemishes and in the original packaging. Late returns will be subject to a $10.00 late fee per mouthpiece. Call 1-800-348-5003 for complete details.

buy your saxophone mouthpiece with confidence from the woodwind & brasswind
In choosing a Saxophone, you need to consider your musician's age and skill level, and the kind of use (school band, marching band, orchestra, etc.) to which they will put their instrument. If for school, consulting with the band teacher is a good idea. Whatever Saxophone you select, The Woodwind & Brasswind's 100% Satisfaction Guarantee means you have 45 days to be sure it's right for you. If it's not, just return it for a full refund.* And you don't need to worry about paying too much. Our 45-Day Lowest Price Guarantee means that if you find the same saxophone mouthpiece advertised for less elsewhere, we'll make up the difference. When you buy a saxophone mouthpiece from The Woodwind & Brasswind, you can buy with complete confidence. *All returned mouthpieces are assessed a $4.00 sterilization fee.

product comparison charts

Download the Product Comparison Charts:

Alto Sax Student Jazz Mouthpiece Chart
file size 696kb

Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece Chart

file size 648kb

Baritone Saxophone Mouthpiece Chart

file size 608kb

Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece Chart

file size 624kb

Tenor Sax Student Jazz Mouthpiece Chart

file size 656kb

Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Chart

file size 616kb These chart files require Adobe Acrobat Reader to view (PDF).

:: Guide Index Accessories Saxophone Mouthpieces

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