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Forum » Jazz Saxophone » Alto mouthpiece for altissimo


by jeanlelong
(3 posts)
19 years ago

Alto mouthpiece for altissimo

I've been struggling with altissimo on my otherwise suberb Conn 6M from 1940. I seem not to have too much trouble in getting good altissimo on my MkVI but 6M is a bit painful. Beechler S6S produces a surprisingly nice overall tone with 6M as 6M itself is ultra soft and Beechler very crispy. It doesn't, however, play easy altissimo. I have tried S7M but, as you might think, it's even harder to blow altissimo. So, any suggestions for a good altissimo mouthpiece? I've tried Meyer hr's, no go; Bari, no go; Rousseau, no go; Ponzol hr's, no go. Oleg ligature makes it even more difficult. Rico H-Series ligature comes closer. Should I go for Ponzol metal? Otto Link? Which binder? And, oh yes, the 6M is in fabulous shape, so the problem is not there.

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  2. by connsaxman_jim
    (2336 posts)
    19 years ago

    Re: Alto mouthpiece for altissimo

    What hardness of reed are you using? I've found that with a fairly closed mouthpiece, like a Selmer C* for example, you'll want a harder reed to play altissimo. I have a hard time playing altissimo on a more open mouthpiece. A good all-around mouthpiece that won't break your wallet is the Rico Royal B3 graftonite piece. They're less than $20. Try one with a Rovner ligature and a #3 reed and see what you think. Jim

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  3. by jeanlelong
    (3 posts)
    19 years ago

    Re: Alto mouthpiece for altissimo

    I'm using 3's and 3,5's. Any thicker reeds are too heavy for my style. I'll go for your suggestion. Thanks.

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  4. by Ripken8
    (1 post)
    19 years ago

    Re: Alto mouthpiece for altissimo

    My set is pretty simple and really nothing special about it.. I have a Selmer Balanced Action and use a Selmer C* and Hemke (3) and I have no problems going up and down in the altissimo registar...

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  5. by peter090
    (155 posts)
    19 years ago

    Re: Alto mouthpiece for altissimo

    You might want to play around with fingerings. I know on tenor most of the suggested fingerings seem to work well on selmers but I've had to come up with some alterations for my Conn.

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