Custom Tenor mpc-help

[Lyle]

I am still a beginner:
I have been playing a #5 facing mpc. I have a smooth, and satisfiying tone on that mpc.
I just received my custom tenor sax mouthpiece with spoiler. It is facing #8. The reason I purchased this mpc was to obtain a mellow, smooth tone. I guess you call it "dark" not bright. I am looking for the deepest, darkest smoothest tone I can get.
I, being a beginner, thought that a higher number facing would give me a larger opening, and thus, a darker tone, or more mellow but this new, #8 sounds shrill. Very reedy like some kids toy. Am I completly wrong about facing numbers? Even adusting my emborchure it sounds terrible! The spoiler does not help.
Perhaps you all could enlighten this beginner. Please!

[Morry]

The more open the piece is, the more the embouchure comes into play. Most folks will have a decent sound on a fairly closed piece. If you look at the opening between the reed and tip on a .080 piece, then on a .130 opening, you can see that it obviously accepts a much larger air stream. That air stream needs to be controlled and shaped by your embouchure.

Having said that, don't fall into the current sax-think that says you have to play on a huge mouthpiece. I'm no great player, but after 30 years, I still like the feel and my sound best on about a 6 for alto, and a 6* or 7 on tenor. If you do want to move to a larger piece, do it incrementally. Try a 6*, and play with the various reed combinations. You'll be amazed at how different the sound is when you change that little piece of cane. For me, I like the Vandoren V16s for a husky, dark sort of sound. However, my favorite reed on tenor right now is a Vandoren #3 baritone reed.

[Bill Mecca]

Also be aware that the numbers lose "significance" when going from one mpc maker to another, a #5 in a Link does not equal a #5 in a Runyon, or a #5 in a Meyer etc. and tip openings are only one part of the equation, there's baffle design, chamber size, sidewalls, etc etc etc.

FWIW, going up to an 8 you might be biting, especially if you are using the same strength reed you used on teh #5.

Check out Paul Coat's articles on the main SOTW page specifically Santy Runyon's mpc alone exercises. play with differnt reed's and different reed strengths as well. the custom is a good middle of the road mouthpiece.

[super20dan]

remove the spoiler!

[kcp]

You didn't specify what make was your previous #5 mpc. The Runyon #8 is pretty much an average size for tenor. However it could be that going from that particular #5 mpc to #8 Runyon is a big change to get used to so suddenly. I agree with billmecca here, I'd say go down about half a step in reed strenght to give yourself a break and help get accustomated to your new mpc. - As of the spoiler, it gives the sound more edge. So since you say you're looking for a darker sound, maybe you should leave the spoiler out of there for now. But keep it, you never know.

[retread]

The Runyon SR will be much closer to the sound you want.

[Lyle]

Thank you for your help!
The mpc I was using, and sounded good, was a Vito S5C. I was and still am using Hemke 3 reed on a Yamaha Custom 875 tenor.

Am I correct in thinking that the higher number for facing should produce a deeper darker sound if the emborchure is correct? Or is the reverse true?
Would a harder reed with the Runyon 8 get me a darker deeper sound? Or should I abandon the 8 in trying for that husky mellow sound? I don't want to collect mouthpieces but.... I am serious about this tenor sax.

Thanks again!
Lyle

[MojoBari]

For your tonal concept, drop down to a 2.5 reed on the Custom 8. Try taking in a little less mothpice so your bottm lip dampens out more of the reed vibrations. Play on the soft side. Drop down to a 2 if you need to in order to get the low notes to speak quietly.

The design of your Custom is such that it will sound somewhat bright when played loud. With the spoiler, it will be brighter yet. Not extreme, but way more than your Vito piece.

There are better mouthpiece choices for your toanl concept, but you can get 80% there with your embouchure development.

[Lyle]

Thanks Mojo
I did try a 2 1/2 Vandoren with poor results. But I also tried a Vandoren 3, and by Jove, I almost can hear the sound I might be looking for. It looks like I will have to keep trying till I find the right embrochure, and reed. I'll try a 1 1/2 just for the heck of it. I have a lot to learn, and you all are helping a lot!
Lyle

[Lyle]

Oh Yea, Mojo, I played on the soft side, less air, and dampen reed with lip. That seems important as you say :)

[MojoBari]

You need to hard enough on the reed choice to get away from too much buzz in the tone, but probably no harder. Learning how to alter your reeds may help some too.