Re: A Little help on rubber jazz mouthpieces
You will find lots of options and opinions here. So, hopefully you can sort it all out, and come up with an adequate solution, or -- a superb solution to your search.
First point -- congratulations on already possessing one of the finest instruments available! You are quite blessed already! Most entering the high school world are fumbling around with Bundy or other not-so high end instruments.
Now my major point - At your age, I would assume that you have not developed physically (embouchure, finger strength and speed, technique, etc...) to make any lifetime choices (except for the horn!) right now. But you will be on the pathway to musical maturity. Look forward to many new choices, as you progress.
I tend to suggest a Meyer (or Meyer-clone) to my early high school students. For you, a Meyer 5M would be a good starting point. Meyer brand itself has several choices here, a standard Meyer, the newer G model, and the Richie Cole model. I would guess you would enjoy the tonal qualities of the G or Richie Cole model.
On the Meyer-clone types, the BARI brand makes some fine mouthpieces, their own Richie Cole model, once again, start with the 5 facing, and they also make a fine sounding, well-balanced mouthpiece they market as the Mike Smith model. The Mike Smith is only available in a 5** facing.
What do these facings mean?
The Meyer model 5 facing is a .71 opening
BARI brand 5 facings are around a .72 opening
the Smith 5** is about .74, with a longer curve opening.
So, they are all pretty close, with the least lip pressure needed on the smaller openings, of course.
The other choice I give, is the Morgan. Morgans are pretty much a --perfect-- Meyer. They do cost quite a bit more, but the consistency of quality is outstanding. Sometimes the standard Meyer and BARI mouthpieces suffer from mass-produced ills and woes inherent in the amount of product they must manufacture.
All that aside, I consistently use on Alto, both a Morgan Excaliber, and a Meyer New York, depending on the venue, and style of music. Both are wonderful performing mouthpieces.
Keep us informed of your progress!!!
ii-V-I
kenny j
kennyj
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