Recommend a mouthpiece for someone new to soprano?

[WriterMom]

Can you recommend a good mouthpiece for someone who's just learning to play soprano sax?

A little background: I play clarinet and alto sax, and have always wanted to learn soprano. I'm purchasing a used YSS-475 and need a decent mouthpiece for it. Cost is an issue, though (can't afford to spend $150 on a mouthpiece).

What mouthpiece would you recommend?

[Lee]

For about $75 you can pick up a Meyer 5M, a nice easy playing mpc.

lee

[Roger McWilliams]

You might consider the Selmer S80 C* or the Selmer Super Session pieces. Both are quite popular. I started soprano on the C* and then moved to a Super Session with good results.

Welcome to the soprano world! Happy playing!

[guido]

Martha,

For somone already playing alto and clarinet I would suggest a Selmer S80 in a D or E facing or the Hite Soprano piece (comes in one size only). Also the new smaller size (available down to E) Super Sessions are a great modern implementation of the wonderful old Selmer Soloist pieces and are more readily controlled then the larger H,I, J facings initiallly offered on this model. Reeds like the Alexander DC, Hemke or Vandoren Bluebox in the 2.5 to 3.5 range work well with these pieces.
A piece in this tip opening size range will help you control intonation while still providing quite a lot of latitude in tone color.

Good Luck!

Guido

[singlereed]

I agree with Guido, I started on a C* and found the high notes hard to hit. A change to an E made a huge difference and I still love that piece having since become a reasonably experienced soprano player. That piece holds its own in very expensive company as well as being easy to play. The Super Sessions are nice too, but come in open facings only that may be too much for you now, but you never know, give it a try.

[danm]

Well IMHO if you want to go for the tone I would try a Bari Mouthbiece for your soprano. I got one in a trade about a year ago and my C* went in the drawer. The bari has great tone and is easy to play. mine is a .68 size and it plays well with most any reed that I have tried on it. I am sure it would please you. :wink:

[Paul Coats]

The C* has always been too small, and I know few people who have experimented any at all that did not prefer a D or E over the tiny C*.

The Runyon Custom #6 works well for most of my adult students, too.

Some people like the BARI Associates hard rubber. I don't know their facing numbers offhand... but

look for facings in the .055" - .060" size range, and you will find these satisfactory.

[Anonymous]

I took up soprano a couple years ago, after many years as strictly a tenor player. I've found the inexpensive BARI Esprit to be a very good mpc. It's BARI's least expensive mpc, but the facing is hand-finished (.058" tip opening). I tried it on a whim, and it ended up as my main mpc. Less than $10 at www.daybreakenterprises.com.

[Andrew]

Definitely the C*.

[Lenny]

Vandoran S15 is a very nice mpc , warm, cheap and very easy to play. S25 is worth looking at as well.

[Tears June]

I'm using a S-35, it's very good & I stop to use all my metal piece after got this S-35.

I just anybody who knows what difference between Vandoran S15, S25 & S35 in sound?

:cry:

[Zman]

I like both the S80E and the Runyon Custom 7. Different tonalities, but very nice airflow and control characteristics.

[benivy]

ever thinking of a jody jazz #6 or #7? quite free blowing and no intonation problem.

[tox]

Hi Martha
Have you thought of staying with the mpc that came with the yamaha. When I was looking for my sop i tries loads of sops with different mps and the yamaha was ok and free blowing. My mate wouldnt blow anything else its so easy. He uses a Yamaha 5. I think they come with a 4.
Tox

[MM]

Yes, I agree with tox the the Yamaha stock plastic 4C is actuallya decent design and usually is well faced. . It's a close tip so it takes pretty hard reeds though, such as trad Vandoren 3.5 to 4. It's difficult to find a Yamaha more open than the 4, so later I had one opened up to about an E. The Hite's a good mpc too as in the Rousseau. I didn't care for the Selmer S80 or the Vandoren pieces on my 62, but some folks like them. For beginners, probably sticking to a Selmer C**/D, Vandoren S15, Rousseau 4R/5R is a good idea. If the horn came with a Yamaha "Custom" mpd (4CM or 5CM), that's a Yamaha copy of the Selmer S80 so there's no point in buying an S80!

[Morry]

My curved soprano came with a Selmer S-80 C*, and it's a very nice playing mouthpiece. I've given a Bari HR a try, and with Vandoren V16 reeds, it has this HUGE round sound. I'm sending it back for a slightly smaller tip opening, but I think I've found my mouthpiece. By the way, I'm new to the soprano also. I had a Yamaha 62 years ago, but I just didn't have the chops for it at the time.

[jivemutha]

Some jazz players look down at the famous Selmer S80 C* (which comes as the stock mouthpiece on Selmer sopranos, by the way). In part it is derided for the very reason that makes it a good choice for beginners--it's small opening, which makes for easier blowing for beginners compared with the larger openings often used by seasoned jazz players.

In contrast, classical players often sing the praises of the C*. Professional classical players often END UP with the C* as their mouthpiece. I've met some, so I know it to be a true story.

I'm new to soprano (former keyboard player) and when I switched from a cheap stock Taiwanese Antigua mouthpiece to the C* it transformed my playing. A new one can still be gotten for $65 + ligature and cap. I have not tried the slightly larger opening Selmers recommended by Paul Coates and now intend to. That said, the C* remains the standard for beginners and, apparently, for many classical players.

[Michael Ward]

The C* as you say is used throughout the classical world usually with Vandoren reeds by many , many fine players. I have to disagree with Paul when he says the C* is too small. Too small for what? In jazz and popular music Lennie Pickett, Chris Vadala, Jay Beckenstein all use C* as did Dexter Gordon. Steve Lacy played a 12* Link with 1 1/2 reeds which just shows we're all different.
For myself I've always played on a C* with hard reeds quite happily for years on a Selmer soprano. If it feels good play it.

[AustinBrister]

I would go with a smooth, comfortable S-80 C*. No matter what this piece should work with the embochure you are used to using.

Good luck!

[saxhotshot527]

I'm surprised noone has mentioned a Caravan mouthpiece. I haven't found anything that comes close to the Caravan for the sound I'm looking for. It's very dark, round, and full, and honestly it makes my Selmer D sound bright and brittle. I consider it the ideal classical mouthpiece. (at least on soprano)