What are the Advantages of Metal Mouthpieces?

Jason Owens

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Jun 30, 1997, 3:00:00 AM6/30/97

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Hello,

I play tenor for a community band and a jazz group. I have been
wondering what the characteristics are of metal mouthpieces. I don't know
anyone who has one I could try out. Could someone advise me on what type of
music these mouthpieces sound best with? If they help out the altissimo
sounds, a la Lenny Pickett, I may buy one. Any information would be
appreciated.

Thanks,

Jason Owens
jasn...@a.crl.com

Craig Dickson

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Jun 30, 1997, 3:00:00 AM6/30/97

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Jason Owens <jasn...@a.crl.com> wrote:

> I play tenor for a community band and a jazz group. I have been
>wondering what the characteristics are of metal mouthpieces. I don't know
>anyone who has one I could try out. Could someone advise me on what type of
>music these mouthpieces sound best with? If they help out the altissimo
>sounds, a la Lenny Pickett, I may buy one. Any information would be
>appreciated.

Any musical instrument store that carries saxophone mouthpieces ought to be
willing to let you try some out, especially if you're a potential
buyer. Take your horn and a couple of reeds with you; that way only the
mouthpiece is different from what you're used to.

I'm not much interested in metal mouthpieces myself, so perhaps someone
else can give their impressions of the differences, but I've never heard
that they make altissimo easier or harder. In general, they tend to be
louder and brighter than rubber mouthpieces, though not everyone would
agree with that, and there are certainly some pretty loud, bright rubber
pieces out there (Lakey, for one).

Craig

Hayke Tjemmes

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Jul 2, 1997, 3:00:00 AM7/2/97

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|>
|> I play tenor for a community band and a jazz group. I have been
|>wondering what the characteristics are of metal mouthpieces. I don't know
|>anyone who has one I could try out. Could someone advise me on what type of
|>music these mouthpieces sound best with? If they help out the altissimo
|>sounds, a la Lenny Pickett, I may buy one. Any information would be
|>appreciated.
|>

Do you mean that there's really NO DIFFERENCE between metal or 'plastic'??
I had always thought that metal mouthpieces have a more bright -jazzy- sound than the plastic ones....
(by the way, I play with a Selmer S30 mouthpiece (plastic))
And, What makes the difference then between a Yamaha YAS-23 and a Selmer Super Action??
My 'saxophone-teacher' has told me that the Selmer has a more beautiful sound as my Yamaha, because the material it is made of is different...
Can you mail me about it, because I'm planning to buy a Selmer SA or Mark VI or VII.

(en dat mag ook in het nederlands hoor! (-> that was a little dutch...))

B.B. Bean

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Jul 3, 1997, 3:00:00 AM7/3/97

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On Wed, 02 Jul 97 20:53:57 GMT, Hayke Tjemmes wrote:

>And, What makes the difference then between a Yamaha YAS-23 and a Selmer Super Action??

If you can't hear it, none.

>My 'saxophone-teacher' has told me that the Selmer has a more beautiful sound as my Yamaha, because the material it is made of is different...

As is almost every other aspect of production. However, if you're not yet to
the point where you can hear and feel the differences, then I'd hold off on
plunking down the big bucks it'll take to get you playing a VI or SA!!

Of course, if you're ready now, I have a nice Mark VI alto for sale...

BBB
--
B.B. Bean bbb...@beancotton.com
Peach Orchard, MO http://www.beancotton.com/music.shtml
Have Horn, Will Travel