• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Website of Steve Neff

  • BLOG
  • SHOP
  • MY ACCOUNT
  • RAVES
  • CONTACT

Search Neffmusic

You are here: Home / Reviews / Mouthpiece Reviews / Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews / Tenor Low Baffle Reviews / Barone Jazz Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

Barone Jazz Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

March 13, 2010 by Steve 16 Comments

Here is a fairly new Phil Barone tenor saxophone mouthpiece. This is the “Jazz” model and is a 7*(.105) tip opening.   I believe this is a 2009 model although there is no date on it (his older mouthpieces had dates engraved on the side of them). I have owned 5-6 Barone mouthpieces over the years and I was very curious to try these new models that Phil is making. I received this with a Barone Hollywood model to try out………….

As you can see from the pictures, this looks to have a lower baffle than the “Hollywood” model.  I really loved this mouthpiece.  It had a very unique sound to it that was hard for me to describe.   It had a fat lushness to it but at the same time had some brightness in the sound.  It also had a considerable amount of power to it when I pushed it that was nice. Out of the Barone mouthpieces I have owned, the “Jazz” model has been my favorite of all the models.  This one seems a little brighter than I remember the others being that I played years ago but it still has that core sound that is unique to Barones.  I’ve always wondered if it has something to do with the tip rail as Phil’s tip rail and corners have a unique look to them from every other mouthpiece out there.  I went into a little bit of “Fried Bananas”  by Dexter Gordon on the sound clip and really like the way it sounds.  Phil’s website is www.PhilBarone.com if you want to read more about his mouthpieces…………Enjoy!

https://www.neffmusic.com/images/mp3/Barone%20Jazz.mp3

Filed Under: Tenor Low Baffle Reviews, Tenor Mouthpiece Reviews Tagged With: Barone jazz, Barone Saxophone, Phil Barone, tenor mouthpiece

Steve

About Steve

Steve Neff has been playing and teaching saxophone and jazz improvisation around the New England area for over 30 years. He is the author of many best selling jazz improvisation methods as well as founding the popular jazz video lesson site Neffmusic.com.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarJim Romain says

    March 16, 2010 at 11:46 am

    Very nice-plenty of color and power.

    Reply
  2. AvatarDan says

    March 21, 2010 at 11:57 am

    Nice and husky! Kinda has a lockjaw davis vibe to it

    Reply
  3. AvatarDave A says

    March 22, 2010 at 9:08 am

    Steve
    I listened back and forth between the Hollywood and the
    Jazz model. The Jazz model definitely sounds darker and
    huskier than the Hollywood which I liked also but I prefer the Jazz model. I had a NY 7* but at the time I felt it was too resistant and sold it and I just bought a Jazz 7* model and am eagerly awaiting it’s arrival. Funny how our mouthpeice mood swings from year to year!
    I should add that we saxophonists are fortunate to have you reviewing these great mouthpieces on your site.
    thanks!

    Reply
  4. AvatarRory says

    June 21, 2010 at 10:28 am

    What a great sound. I have the same mouthpiece…now I have something to work towards for the rest of my life 🙂 Thanks so much for taking the time to build this resource Steve!

    Reply
  5. AvatarMike says

    January 13, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    I love the sound of the this jazz model mouth piece..I really would like to know whats your reed set up.
    Thanks, Mike

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      January 14, 2011 at 1:26 pm

      To be honest, I’m not sure because that was so long ago. If I had to guess I would say that it was probably a Java 2 1/2 or 3 because that is what I mainly play.

      Reply
  6. AvatarMike says

    January 14, 2011 at 11:44 pm

    Thank you Steve,
    Very helpful,Cheers

    Reply
  7. AvatarAntonio Sanchez says

    January 20, 2011 at 12:10 am

    Steve,
    Do you treat Barone pieces differently when you play them. I mean, do you put more mouthpiece in you mouth or blow harder than usual. I ask this because I have an oldish NY 7* and a new Hollywood 7 and I just cannot get any life out of them, whereas I am managing a STM link 7* (Tenney Custom) pretty well
    By the way, thanks for your great blog and lessons.
    Antonio

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      January 20, 2011 at 11:56 am

      Nope. The Barones I have played I have played the same as every other mouthpiece I play. Of course every mouthpiece is different so some I will take a little more into my mouth etc………….but I don’t remember the Barones being any different for me. I have played a few that weren’t as good as others. The first review on this site was of a Barone that I had problems with. Like you I remember I couldn’t get any volume out of it. Just kind of dead for me. I sent it to get refaced which made it a little better but I ended up selling it anyways. I have played other Barones that were loud and responsive and killer. I remember a few Jazz models that were really great. Good Luck.

      Reply
  8. Avataranson says

    January 24, 2011 at 1:01 am

    hey Steve,

    i’ve heard some great reviews on barone mouthpieces, and have been looking into buying one in the future…

    but i’m not sure what tip opening to get. What does a larger / smaller tip opening do to the sound? I’m coming from a yamaha 4c, and would consider myself a intermediate player, (student). Thanks a lot!

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      January 24, 2011 at 8:36 am

      Are you talking about tenor or alto? If alto I usually have students move to a 5-6* mouthpiece. If tenor I usually have them go with a 6,6* or 7. You don’t want to jump to bigger tip too fast. I’ve had students try to go from a 4C to a 8 tip opening and they had a really hard time. The jump was just to great and they had a hard time adjusting. A smaller tip only lets so much air through the mouthpiece. Usually the larger the tip the more air you can push through so many times you can play louder with a larger tip but like everything in life there are trade offs. With a larger tip you might lose some control and many times students have a tough time with intonation on a larger tip. A smaller tip might not be as loud but it’s a more focused centered sound usually. A smaller tip can be controlled more easily many times. A 6*-7 would be a safe bet. Gives you the best of both worlds. I personally prefer 7* now a days but I spent about 10 years on a 7 around my college days. Good Luck. Steve

      Reply
  9. AvatarRay says

    August 23, 2011 at 5:24 pm

    This mpce sounds great. I also had a jazz model 7* which for me was the most comfortable metal piece I have played.
    Rich in overtones with a great balance between highs and lows. Articulation was superb. It was the sort of mpce that gave one confidence to try out more difficult things musically.
    My problem with it though was that I could not get as raw as I like to play (think Ayler / Brotzmann) which is necessary in the context I tend to find myself playing. Great for everything else though.

    Reply
  10. AvatarJake says

    October 12, 2013 at 8:51 pm

    Hey Steve
    I know it’s been a really long time since you’ve played this mouthpiece, but do you remember how much volume you managed to get out of this? Thanks.

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      October 17, 2013 at 11:38 am

      Hi Jake,
      I could get a lot of volume out of this mouthpiece BUT…….the Jazz models can be pretty dark. I used to have one I absolutely loved! Dark lush sound. Played it on a few gigs and for jazz it was amazing but when I tried to play it on loud Top 40 kind of stuff it was too dark to cut through. It was plenty loud but it didn’t have those highs in the sound that you need to cut through the mix of a loud Top 40 band. I’ve had that experience with some great darker Otto Links also. They played great but on the the gig I couldn’t hear myself at all………….

      Reply
  11. AvatarDave says

    December 1, 2013 at 8:08 am

    Hi Steve

    Really liked your sound clip on this piece. I just got a Barone J8 and have to say it is very good. Plays with just the right amount of resistance for me. Gets bright when pushed. Can be loud and cutting, darker and husky. I hope I never ding this unique looking tip rail. Just ordered an L12 rovner light to try and find a lig that fits. Heck, this mpc played great with a piece of electrical tape for a lig. It feels like it is challenging me to play faster, try more expression. So far it’s both a beauty and a beast!
    Dave

    Reply
    • stevesteve says

      December 2, 2013 at 12:33 pm

      Hi Dave, I love the Barone Jazz models. I find that a simple two screw metal soprano ligature works great on the shape and size of the Barone mouthpieces. Steve

      Reply

Leave a Reply to Dave A Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Cart

Subscribe to the Neffmusic Newsletter for the latest reviews and best deals delivered straight to your inbox every month. Join now and you will also receive my 40 Ultimate Michael Brecker Licks free!

Select list(s) to subscribe to


Thanks for joining!


NEFFMUSIC PRINTED BOOKS

Testimonials

Your major diatonic patterns book is great. I”m studying the first twenty patterns (first twenty pages) each day with different articulation each day and slowly increasing the tempo each week or so.  There is a noticeable improvement in finger coordination across all keys and its amazing how much more secure I feel on the difficult keys when attempting to play pieces with 5+ flats/sharps. I’m able to sort out the fingerings for these pieces now much more quickly than before, often in one or two … Read more
Geoff
Hi Steve, I can’t express just how much I appreciate your teaching. My playing has improved so much over the past year since I have been studying and practicing with your lessons. It is possible to teach an old dog new tricks, these lessons are proof! Thanks, Michael Byington
Michael Byington
Steve- I joined your site this month and have downloaded 4 lessons and also purchased your new book and video on diatonic patterns. I just want to say I am very pleased with your approach and teaching techniques. I am getting back into playing after laying off for some time. The information you offer on your site is of great value and I am enjoying being a member. Thank you for what you are doing for the saxophone community.
Tony
I just started looking at my lessons and I have to say, dude you are awesome.  I ABSOLUTELY will learn from you!  I started the tenor about 1 ½ yrs ago and have since picked up an alto, and more recently a soprano.  I spend most of the time on the tenor, followed by soprano, and have only gotten to the alto a few times.  I think I’ll be sticking with tenor.  I’m having a great time and hope one day to play well enough to get regular gigs.  I’ve been playing keys for about 35 years (… Read more
Wil
I want to let you know that your instructional material is transforming my playing.  It is an immense pleasure to learn and play now, and I can’t tell you how grateful I am. The instructional material I got from you is by far the best of any I own (and I have over 100 books, DVDs, and what not). I literally can’t thank you enough! Deric
Deric

Steve,  Just want to say thanks for all you are doing for all of us. I’ve learned more from you than anyone else in my 40 years of playing.

If you can give some tips on One Note Samba, Ceora, and Wave… that would be cool.  I really like learning how you apply your concepts to actual songs!

Have a great year,

Kevin Ledbetter

I've learned more from you than anyone else in my 40 years of playing.

Hi Steve,

First, I want to thank you for all of your great lessons. They are like a “For Dummies” version of all the books on my shelf. The lessons break things down into manageable pieces, and give me the confidence that I’m practicing the right pieces. I’m starting to make progress.   Thank You,   Kim

Kim

After reading your story I will never feel quite right about complaining about any of my MINOR health issues!!    God bless Steve and I really hope that your health doesn’t stop you from fulfilling your calling.    These books have been such a help to open up my jazz vocabulary…   Thanks so much for sharing your story and for providing these great teaching tools…   John Leclerc   Saxophonist / composer/ EWI player and professional working musician of 35 years….

John Leclerc
Hey Steve, I’m a 22-year-old from Australia. I thought it would be worth saying. You’re an absolute legend. I can’t thank you enough. You have helped me rekindle my love for the saxophone and music as a whole. All the best for the future, your work doesn’t go unnoticed. PS. I am loving your devastating minor lines pdf.
Sapph
I just wanted to write a thank you note to you for this website. I play and teach saxophone, but I have always been intimidated by the gear aspect. Your website has helped me become a lot more knowledgable. Your knowledge is staggering! I’m telling all my students about your website. Pierre
Pierre
I would like to say that in the last year my sax playing has progressed loads from your lessons. I have had a sax for about 20 years and dabbled with lessons from a few teachers and have learnt very little from them. As you have said in your lessons many teachers tell you to use the blues scale and leave it there, not even showing you the resolution points!!. I am now believing I can in time become a good improviser.
Thanks again,
Shane
Shane
I’ve been a member of Steve’s site for about six months now and the difference it has made to my playing is immeasurable. The (many) benefits of this membership are that you can have lessons at time convenient to you, they work out A LOT cheaper than face-to-face lessons with a teacher of the same calibre and you can replay them ad infinitum. I don’t know how many times have I had lessons in the past where I’ve ended up covering the same concepts when really a ‘replay’ of the last lesson would h… Read more
Nick
Absolutely the best learning experience in my 40 years of playing.These books are awesome!!
Alfred LaBella
By the way, BIG COMPLIMENTS to you, Steve! Not only are you a great player, you are also a great teacher! I, too, am a woodwinds player/teacher. I have new inspiration to play and teach because of you. The concepts and “thinking” is similar to what I already learned in College, but hearing you explain and PLAY the concepts REALLY MAKES THE DIFFERENCE! Also, your written patterns are more interesting than other books I have seen! Keep up the good work. I will be recommending your sit… Read more
I will be recommending your site to others!

Your material is great! I got your New Altissimo Lesson 6 months ago and I have learned more from that than in all my 44 years of playing! I appreciate your down to earth teaching method and I really appreciate the heart that you teach with. I have been a subscriber to your lessons for the past 6 months and I have learned a great deal. Over that period of time I have had some questions and you have never failed to respond. Thanks! I have already recommended your lessons to a number of players in… Read more

Michael Byington
Just to say thanks for your advice and lessons.  I’ve just read your amazing story.  I really appreciate what you do in regards to teaching.  I have bought a couple of your lessons and frankly they’re undersold.   I’ve learned much more with these two lessons than with 2 years of sax teachers.   Thanks so much………..
Mike
Steve really changed my way of practicing: I got a whole lot of new ideas for my playing the tenor.  His lessons are really helpful, give a lot stuff to practice and give clear answers to complicated stuff.  Steve has a lot of humor and I wish I had laughed so much in my former days with the horn.  All topics, from Blues to Approach note are dealt with clearness that wet ones appetite to play and practice that great ideas.
Uwe
Thank you for all the educational information you provide.  I am a classically trained musician.  Professionally, I am a 4th and 5th grade band teacher.  I have played piano and sax for many years, but now I am starting to gig out more. I have always improvised by ear in the past. I have gotten by with my strong sense of pitch, rhythm and melodic contour. However, I want to go deeper. I want to play with a greater variety of melodic and rhythmic ideas to pull from.  I have studied to gain a … Read more
Ray
Your lessons on playing the blues is so clear . I have been through many books on blues playing and not one of them explains as clear as your lessons . Most of them say “Play the same blues scale over all three chords of a 12 bar blues ” Its very misleading .     Thanks
Martin
Hi Steve, I live in a gorgeous but rural area of Oregon-no music store within 80 miles. Your lessons are my lifeline!  Truly the best there are anywhere online. Love your playing. Love your teaching.  Thanks again. Ed
Ed Woodmansee

Steve, just a note to say thanks.

I’ve been playing a long time, but your material, laid out in such a thoughtful way, helps me to understand concepts in a new and deeper way.

You are a true gift to the jazz community.

60 lessons and going strong,

Kevin Ledbetter

Kevin Ledbetter

Hello Steve,

I have not received my alto yet but have already gone through 14 lessons. I love your approach, style, knowledge and competence. I now regret so much to have stayed away from playing the sax for the past 45-50 years…(I am 65).  But It is never too late to get back to your first love. After 23 years in compuer sciences and 22 years in finances…I am now back to music for the rest of my life.

Doing some research on the net, I found this:

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?1… Read more

Claude
Thank you for the wealth of helpful lessons you’ve provided over the years.  I truly feel as though it has improved my playing more than the 4 years I spent at Berklee… and that’s not a slight on the school as I loved my experience there.
John
John

I want to thank you again, because, not only are you an inspiration to listen to, you are a fine teacher!

I have been teaching sax and other winds for over 20 years, and you give me that “push” to give my students more!

Mark Peotter

Mark Peotter

Featured Video Lessons

  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $19.99 Original price was: $19.99.$14.99Current price is: $14.99.
  • The Secret to Modern Outside Jazz Lines Lesson-Minor The Secret to Modern Outside Jazz Lines Lesson-Minor $9.99
  • Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson
    Rated 4.91 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Secret to Altissimo (no one has ever told you about before) Lesson The Secret to Altissimo (no one has ever told you about before) Lesson
    Rated 4.75 out of 5
    $9.99

Now over 600 video and audio lessons to choose from!

Free Lessons

  • Free Lesson on The New Ultimate II-V-I Primer-Major Keys
  • Free Video Lesson on Mastering Altered Pentatonics
  • Free Video Lesson on Mastering the Blues Scale Volume 1 & 2
  • Free Video Lesson on Mastering the Dominant Bebop Scale and Language Book 1 & 2
  • Free Video Lesson on Approach Note Velocity Book

Recent reviews

  • Bebop Scale-Altered Scale II-V-I Practice Lesson Bebop Scale-Altered Scale II-V-I Practice Lesson by Noah
  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) by Andy
  • Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Dominant Pentatonic Sound over a Blues (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Russ
  • Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson Creating Modern II-V-I Lines with Simple Pentatonics Lesson
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Timothy
  • The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson The Best Embouchure for Tone, Intonation and Endurance Lesson
    Rated 5 out of 5
    by Ray Holland

Footer

Recent Comments

  • Brian Albee on Otto Link Super Tone Master Florida V Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Steve on Revisiting a Lamberson J7 Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Thor on Revisiting a Lamberson J7 Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Review
  • Perry on Will the Real Michael Brecker’s Sax Mouthpiece Please Stand Up?
  • Steve on Will the Real Michael Brecker’s Sax Mouthpiece Please Stand Up?

Top rated products

  • Mastering the Major Bebop Scale & Sound (Digital PDF Book) Mastering the Major Bebop Scale & Sound (Digital PDF Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $14.99
  • Tune of the Week-Softly as a Morning Sunrise Lesson Tune of the Week-Softly as a Morning Sunrise Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • The Style of Dexter Gordon-Lady Bird Lesson 1 The Style of Dexter Gordon-Lady Bird Lesson 1
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Tune of the Week-Days of Wine and Roses Lesson Tune of the Week-Days of Wine and Roses Lesson
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99
  • Tune of the Week-Invitation Tune of the Week-Invitation
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $9.99

Product tags

alto sax alto saxophone approach notes audio lesson bebop scale beginner beginner saxophone blues blues licks blues patterns blues scale blues scales diminished scale dominant chords ear training fundamentals II-V-I improvisation jazz improvisation jazz lines jazz patterns jazz sax jazz saxophone jazz standard jazz standards licks Mastering the Blues Scale Michael Brecker modern improv modern improvisation online lesson patterns playing outside practice habits reading music sax basics sax lessons saxophone scales smooth jazz steve neff tenor sax tenor saxophone video lesson video lessons
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • SUPPORT

Neffmusic © 2005–2025