Need more edge

[WindMusician81]

Hi. I've been playing tenor for several years. and have been playing mostly in big concert bands, but am starting to do a bit of solo work, and after listening to a recording, I found that I don't have enough edge to my tone. I am planning on setting up my recording equipement where I practice so that I can listen to myself play and try to improve my tone, and plan to work more on longtones.

I am also planning on buying a new sax this summer, but I'd think that it's my technique that is holding me back more than the instrument. Can anyone give me any suggestions on how to improve the edge to my tone?

Thanks.

[MojoBari]

Eat more mouthpiece to get a brighter sound out it. What kind of MP/reed are you using?

[WindMusician81]

The markings on my mouthpiece are almost invisible after several years of heavy use, but I think it's a Selmer C** and I'm using Vandoren Paris #3 reeds.

I'll give it a try later tonight taking in more of the mouthpiece, and see what happens.

[JL]

Technique may be part of it, but my guess is you need a different mouthpiece. I can go from a dark, smooth sound to a screaming bright, edgy sound just by changing from one mpc to another. Check out the mouthpiece threads for ideas. A Runyon Quantum with spoiler comes to mind, but there are many others.

[Alan G]

A Selmer C* has no edge. (!!)

It is a creamy smooth MP. I used one on my bari when I first got it. I picked up a Brilhart Levelair - and it's a different beast!

You didn't say what horn you're playing - but for more edge - a Runyon would be a good (and cost effective) way to start.

Ya might find a Rico Metalite floating about yer local music store - they're discontinued - but some stores still have the old stock. And they're less than $25.

[frankbiff]

Depending on exactly what you mean by edge, you might just need more tip opening, a Selmer C* is only .070" not too open, you might want to try something about .090" and maybe work your way even bigger befor spending $$$ on a pro mpc.

[saxboy]

Need or want a change. You have to change something to get a change. More edge - cheap - Plastic covered reeds or even Rico Royal will be brighter. Some cash - Any Jazz Hard Rubber Mouthpiece. Try Roussea(sp) jazz Hard rubber. It is more agressive than a Selmer but not as crazy as a Lakey. Sorry about spelling on these.
From there - any metal MP. Smaller chambers and baffles making it brighter still.
You need to get a 'goal guy' to sound more like and shop for that sound. Also would consider a second pair of ears when shopping; someone that knows the sound your looking for.
I took a lesson with one of my favorite 'Alto Tones' and got to hear me = him - me - him ... for an hour.
Went out and bought 2 new Mouthpieces that same day totally freeking that someone sounded that much better than me.

Good luck! Realize you can move in a direction, get used to it and move a little more or back to center. It is a process when you are trying to change something. Let it be that and enjoy it.

SAXBOY

[brickboo]

You won't get any brighter than a Runyom Metal Quantum with a spoiler in it. Try the #9, #10 and the # 11. Free blowing great altissimo and low subtones. You really should try this piece.

[cmelodysax]

Ebay is good for resonable used mouthpieces - if you exercise a little care. Once you've found something you like the sound of (no pun intended), do a little research on google or yahoo (or even search thro this forum for comments) to find out -

a) What the manufacturer/dealer says about it.
b) Who plays it, and,
c) What the 'new/street' price is, so you don't get into a bidding rush on ebay and pay too much !

If the mpc doesn't work for you, you can always sell it again thro' ebay, using the extra info above to give a better description and (hopefully) even make a small profit !
It works for me - I've been able to try loads of different pieces - but be careful not to pay too much for a used 'trendy' mouthpiece on ebay.

Good luck, you'll get there. Regards, Alan.

P.S. - of course you could always take your horn to a local shop that sells a wide range of mpcs, any reasonable seller will let you try a selection, and they usually have a room or booth that you can use.
Might be better not to take the money along first time tho'......

[Cameron Wigmore]

* more mouthpiece in your mouth

* mouthpiece with a wider tip opening

* practice overtone matching. That's where you play each bell tone and get the 1st or 2nd overtone, and then try to match the tone to the regular fingering. That'll open up your sound really fast.
:wink:

[Mike W]

Embrochure has a lot to do with a bright or dark sound, I have a Rousseau 5R that I can play almost as bright as a dukoff D and it has no baffle. It took me about a year of practice to change from my old dark embrochure to a pretty bright one--and I am still working on it, of course. Try using very little lip (rolled forward a fair bit and good pressure from the sides to take the lip pressure off of the reed--biting deadens the sound), and raising the back of your tongue in your oral cavity--while maintaining an open throat. Use lots of air and air support (air support IMHO is not just playing louder-it is about getting more air through the horn even at lower volumes). Like Mojobari said, taking in a bit more mouthpiece helps. Bright is all about increasing the air speed (the smaller the diameter of the pipe, the faster the air flow) and allowing the reed to vibrate effectively. Saxboy is right on the mark-Rico Plasticovers give a noticably brighter sound and I hear plastic reeds like fibracell can be quite bright as well. I suspect there is more than one way to get a bright sound.

[The Martin]

Like allready stated, try some other reads..
A 3,5 vandoren V16 will give you a more brighter sound I guess

[michaelbaird]

I play a Dukoff D7, Rico 3 1/2 reed, metal ligature (lately I've been wrapping 22 ga wire instead of a ligature). I can cut through skin with that combination.