Today, I m reviewing a tenor mouthpiece that I have been wanting to try for a very long time. This is the Bob Mintzer Bebop Special tenor mouthpiece made by Rafael Navarro. The one I am reviewing today has a 7** tip opening and is made of hard rubber that has a red marble look […]
Reviews
Phil-Tone & Theo Wanne Tribute Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am excited to review a new mouthpiece made by Phil Engleman and Theo Wanne. Phil Engleman is the founder of Phil-Tone mouthpieces and I have reviewed a number of his mouthpieces in the past. The Equinox,the Eclipse, the Solstice, etc…………… Phil contacted me a few months ago and said he was going to […]
Barone Hollywood Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece 2000
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by Phil Barone. This mouthpiece is the Hollywood model and it was made back in 2000 so it is an older model. I have been a big fan of Phil Barone’s mouthpieces ever since I went to see Jerry Bergonzi play at the Acton Jazz Cafe years ago. […]
Drake “Jerry Bergonzi” Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing a mouthpiece made by Aaron Drake of Drake Mouthpieces. This new mouthpiece is the Jerry Bergonzi model. I have been a fan of Jerry Bergonzi’s since my first days at Berklee College of Music in Boston (1986). Up until that time, I had only been an alto sax player. I had […]
Vintage Selmer Soloist Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Ever since the 1980’s I have been a big fan of Kenny Garrett. I can’t remember the first time I heard him but I remember having a record in the 80’s entitled “Introducing Kenny Garrett” that I loved. (I was an alto sax player back then) Soon after this, I remember also hearing Mr. Garrett […]
Rafael Navarro Maestra Soprano Saxophone Mouthpiece
I have another Rafael Navarro mouthpiece up for review today. This is a hard rubber Maestra 6* soprano saxophone mouthpiece. I used a Vandoren Java 2 1/2 reed on it with a Vandoren Optimum metal ligature. My soprano sax is a Yamaha YSS-62. Like all of Rafael’s mouthpieces I have tried so far, this one […]
Rafael Navarro Maestra Marble Tenor Mouthpiece
I have another Rafael Navarro tenor mouthpiece up for review today. This is a marble Maestra 8. I used a Rigotti Gold 2 1/2 strong reed on it with a Francois Louis Ultimate ligature. Like all of Rafael’s mouthpieces I have tried so far, this one is a work of art. The mouthpiece looks so […]
The “Reed Geek” Universal Reed Tool
Back in December, I was lucky enough to get a Reed Geek “Universal” Reed Tool to try out. Anyone that has been to my house for lessons has probably noticed the shoe boxes on my shelves in my studio. These shoe boxes are filled with every reed I have ever tried and not liked in […]
Bari Hybrid Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing the Bari Hybrid tenor saxophone mouthpiece 7* (.105 tip opening). This mouthpiece has the gold band around it. It is called a “hybrid” because it is a mix of hard rubber and gold plated brass. The front part of the mouthpiece is all hard rubber but the shank and bore of […]
Bari Hybrid Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
Today, I am reviewing the Bari Hybrid alto saxophone mouthpiece 6 (.077 tip opening). This mouthpiece has the gold band around it. It is called a “hybrid” because it is a mix of hard rubber and gold plated brass. The front part of the mouthpiece is all hard rubber but the shank and bore of […]
More Saxophone Teachings from Joe Allard Via Harvey Pittel
Harvey Pittel is an award winning and internationally acclaimed classical saxophonist who has performed as a soloist with many of the world’s greatest orchestras and has recorded extensively as a soloist and with ensembles including his own saxophone quartet. He is the Professor of Saxophone at The University of Texas at Austin Butler School of […]
Saxophone Mouthpiece Trial Tips
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 […]
Ishimori Woodstone Super Custom Medium Small Chambered Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece
I have another Ishimori Woodstone alto saxophone mouthpiece to review and play today. This alto mouthpiece is the hard rubber “Super Custom” traditional jazz medium small chamber model in a 6 tip opening. About a year and a half ago, I did a review of the medium chamber Wood Stone alto mouthpiece which I loved! […]
“A Complete Approach to Sound for the Modern Saxophonist” by Ben Britton
Recently, I received a copy of A Complete Approach to Sound for the Modern Saxophonist by Ben Britton. Ben is a great saxophonist and educator in Pennsylvania. I first heard of Ben many years ago when I stumbled upon a youtube clip of him trading fours with Chris Potter. That, in of itself is very […]
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