Yesterday I received a new mouthpiece for my tenor sax, and another one today. I know, right? More mouthpieces. Well, it happens, especially when you can't get your shit together. Your embouchure is weak and you can't seem to get the sound you want, and on it goes until you finally decide to put some … Continue reading Mouthpieces, Saxes, & Practice
I am still shopping for mouthpieces for my tenor sax. It is because I seem to sound different every time I put on a new reed. Before I quit playing years ago my sound was very consistent. It didn't matter what reed I put on really. I don't know if it is because I had … Continue reading Saxy Sounds
Slowly I am gaining more endurance while playing. Learning tunes is going well also (I think). My technique is coming back, though it would happen quicker if I worked more on basics (consistency). One thing I seem to have particular trouble with is a consistent tone from one reed to the next. I never had … Continue reading My Lack of Consistency
Using Listerine as a cleaning product? When I started playing the saxophone in junior high and on through high school the concept of keeping my sax mouthpieces clean was still a ways off. If you have kids that in junior high and high school bands you should probably check these things out. They are quite … Continue reading Keeping it Clean With Listerine
I still haven't figured out which tenor sax mouthpiece I will settle on. So far, I have my Guardala, which I've had for 21 years. LAST SUMMER, when I bought my tenor sax, I purchased a Vandoren V16. About a month or two later, I bought a Vandoren Jumbo Java. They all work depending on … Continue reading With Strength Comes Beauty
I have been playing on my tenor sax for a year now. When I bought I also purchased a V16 T9 Vandoren mouthpiece, which I played for nearly 7 months. During that time I have also used a Guardala Brecker II mouthpiece which I've had for over 20 years. I didn't sound very good with … Continue reading Choosing A Mouthpiece
Twice in my past, I got lucky with synthetic reeds. The first time was with my alto sax. I was just out of high school when I bought a plastic reed from the local music store in my town. I don't even remember the brand. It was solid white in color and sounded pretty fabulous … Continue reading No More Synthetic Reeds
I have been playing on yet another new mouthpiece for my tenor sax. I think I like it, but not as well as the first mouthpiece I got from Vandoren. It is the Jumbo Java T55. At first, I didn't think I liked it at all. But with the right reed on it sounds a little … Continue reading Jumbo Java by Vandoren
About a month ago I posted about the SISU Mouthguard. I presented it as an alternative to using mouthpiece cushions or mouthpiece pads to protect your saxophone or clarinet mouthpiece. My problem was that my teeth would cut through those pads and cushions in a matter of days. I found a solution in using something … Continue reading SISU Mouthguard Update
Lullaby of Birdland For this comparison video, you have to put up with my playing. Sorry. I am most satisfied with the alto sax mouthpiece by Vandoren. I purchased the V16 A9, a small chamber mouthpiece. I think it gives me a wide-open, big sound on alto. It sounds pure and clean and perfect for … Continue reading Mouthpiece Comparisons
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