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You are here: Home / Reviews / Saxophone Stuff / Saxophone Mouthpiece Trial Tips

Saxophone Mouthpiece Trial Tips

February 14, 2013 by Steve 8 Comments

I’ve had a ton of questions emailed to me over the years about all the mouthpieces I have reviewed.  Some of the typical questions are:

-How do I switch to different mouthpieces so often?

-How do I know what reeds to use?

-Why do I choose the ligatures I do?

-How do you know if a mouthpiece is for you or not?

-How long do you need to play on a mouthpiece to make a decision on it?

I could probably come up with one hundred more………..

Instead of typing all this information out on my blog here,  I decided to make a video where I talk about what I have learned over the year about trying out different saxophone mouthpieces.   I share some stories from my journey to illustrate some points.  The video is in 3 parts and I hope you find it beneficial.   If you have any questions about the videos or if you think of anything that I forgot to cover……feel free to let me know in the comments below. (I can add more videos in the future to answer other questions)    Thanks,    Steve

Sax Mouthpiece Trial Tips-Part 1

 -In part 1, I talk about the history of my mouthpiece reviews, how the site has helped people, you have to spend some hours on a mouthpiece to see what it can do, the importance of using new reeds on a new mouthpiece, the importance of having a variety of reed strengths and brands to try on the new mouthpiece, the importance of reed position, the effects of raising the reed or lowering it and correctly positioning it………..

Sax Mouthpiece Trial Tips-Part 2

-In part 2, I talk about lining the reeds up with the tip of the mouthpiece, the affects of the ligature position and tightness on the reed and mouthpiece, getting used to how a mouthpiece blows with your air and voicing, going from a smaller tip to larger tip, working on air support for larger tips, voicing positions are different on different mouthpieces, I share a bunch of stories to illustrate my points, the difficulty of jumping from a high baffle mouthpiece to a link style mouthpiece, the magic moment when you feel like you are one with your equipment, the effect of embouchure and how to change it to get the most out of a mouthpiece……..

Sax Mouthpiece Trial Tips-Part 3

-In part 3 I continue to talk about the effect of embouchure and how to change it to get the most out of a mouthpiece, experimenting with the amount of mouthpiece you put in your mouth, the importance of air support in playing a new mouthpiece, the difficulty of jumping from a Guardala type mouthpiece to a link type mouthpiece, how your voicing can change between mouthpieces, intonation tips, tips on what to do with your cork when trying mouthpieces with different bore sizes and the feelings that come with buying different mouthpieces.

Filed Under: Saxophone Stuff Tagged With: mouthpiece, reviews, sax equipment, saxophone mouthpieces

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. AvatarDavid Smith says

    February 16, 2013 at 3:33 am

    Excelent video,this helped me out a lot.
    Thanks Steve
    Dave

    Reply
  2. AvatarEugene M itchell says

    February 16, 2013 at 1:41 pm

    I am thinking of buying a BUesher true tone about 1948 ,no mouth piece I am not a great player what to do?

    Reply
  3. AvatarTony says

    February 17, 2013 at 9:33 am

    Steve,
    This is great information. Thank you for taking the time to put it together and sharing it. Your site is an amazing learning resource.
    New Member,
    Tony

    Reply
  4. Avatarsaxphil says

    March 7, 2013 at 11:23 pm

    Bravo!
    Thoroughly enjoyable listen, Steve..
    You are a great communicator.
    Thank you,
    Mike

    Reply
  5. AvatarGreger says

    May 24, 2013 at 1:51 am

    Wow Steve!

    I love the detail and to the point tips in these videos.
    You do a great job of explaining this topic.

    Man, the subject of reeds and mouthpieces can really be a nightmare. Fortunately, I’ve found a combination that fits me perfectly now. It only took about 20 years and a whole lot of cash buying and trying.

    These tips will most definitely be useful to sax players that need guidance with this.
    Respect!
    PLAY ON!
    //Greger

    Reply
  6. AvatarBart says

    August 29, 2013 at 2:51 pm

    One of your last comments “I hope this makes sense” is quite an understatement! The video is a great watch from a “regular” guy.
    That is the thing that jumps out at me even more than your sound advice Steve. I have been on web sites where each guy is trying to show he knows more than the next, sometimes even unnecessarily berating them.
    I have three mouthpieces coming from one of the common web stores out there and am quite nervous but at the same time excited about taking the step. I now have a solid place to start from and will exercise the proper patience, which I’m not sure I would have without watching this.
    I have played a rubber Java T75 for many years now which I find to be a wonderfully versatile mpc. I have been skeptical about trying anything else. I am an experienced player that is playing Rock and R&B in a 10 piece band with 5 horns. I’ve never had so much fun, as all the guys are good people. Lately I’ve been called on to do most of the solo work and feel I would like to project a little more. I am trying a Ponzol M2 stainless 105 (too chicken to try the 110 although I’m sure I can support it) a Guardala Crescent and an MBII. At least now I know how to go about it, thanks to you.
    Sincerely, Bart

    Reply
  7. AvatarWarren Keller says

    September 30, 2015 at 1:09 pm

    Great advice!

    Reply
  8. AvatarDoug says

    October 11, 2018 at 12:20 pm

    Steve — Another great video and explanation. Mouthpiece choice can be overwhelming — I know, experiencing it now!
    Best Regards
    Doug

    Reply

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Thank You Steve. I think that I will be busy for years. Thank You for your great contribution to jazz music. Your books, more than teaching “how to play jazz”, actually teach “how to speak jazz”. I wish I found your methods years ago.  

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First, I’m really excited about your materials! This site is a vast resource for any aspiring (and maybe already inspired) jazz musicians. I’m not a sax player, I play mandolin and fiddle, but have been learning jazz and playing weekly with a quintet for the past 6 months and have been struggling with all of the issues you get into in your lessons. I bought several books and lessons and plan to continue with some others as soon as I organize my practice routine. Thanks again for a great site … Read more
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I just joined Neff Music last month. I can’t tell you how excited I’ve been to be able to pick back up on lessons. I’ve been in a rut and you got me out! I’ve especially appreciated the Lesson Path section. It was so clear I knew exactly where to jump in and start. Many many thanks!
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It is so refreshing to have a great player, who can provide lessons and examples in a manner which is understandable to most any enthusiastic saxophonist who is ready to improve. not just the, do this, do that, memorize this, memorize that… while all that is absolutely necessary, you go on to give reasons and examples to explain and validate why you have to do all of these things, the benefits, if you will… that is the key for me, you tell, explain, demonstrate, explain some more, you give perso… Read more
Cedric
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Robert

Robert
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Hey Steve! I hope you and your family are well.  I’m just writing to say thank you so much for all the resources you have made available to the saxophone community. I have been using your material for many years and I always come back to it… in fact I just took a break from practicing to write this…( reviewing “CreatingModern II-V-I Lines with simple pentatonics”.) I am, and continue to be, one of your raving fans! Blessings to you and your family this holiday season! Wishing… Read more
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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
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I bought Steve’s dominant bebop book and took a couple of online lesson from him. I really appreciated Steve’s careful listening of what I wanted to get done in a lesson and his clear, concise ideas on next steps to improve my playing and musical interpretation.  His mastering  the Dominant Bebop Scale has lots of exercises to use a scale that addresses the largest percentage of chords I come across in pop/blues music. The dominant V7.  Needless say it has improved my playing.  I teach and a… Read more
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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Steve’s monthly lessons are entirely valuable. Without brow beating, he tells you all the stuff you deep down know you really should be working on, instead of just relying on the same old patterns. In spite of the fact that you’re taking a video lesson, Steve’s presentation is comfortable and “real”. In a little more than a year, he’s developed a library of lessons that seem to offer any player a lifetime’s worth of practice material. I’m just glad I stumbled upon it.… Read more
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I have been a member of Neffmusic for more than a year now and have enjoyed every minute of it! I have not only been going thru the Dominant Bebop Scale lessons and book (OUTSTANDING!) but the mouthpiece reviews, solo clips and transcriptions are very interesting. Steve approach to beginning and intermediate improv have given me many new pathways to teach my high school jazz ensemble students. Congratulations Steve, great product!
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