Just to clarify to anyone who isn't sure or is confused on this issue, there is a very big difference between classical and jazz style of playing. There is not "this style is more classical" or "I tend to sound more classical on this mouthpiece", it is either one or the other.
To be clear, the goals of producing sound between classical and jazz styles are very different:
Jazz - The player is going for a personal sound that is indicative of that individual's personality/playing style/geographic location/whatever. As we all know the jazz sound spectrum is probably one of, if not the biggest compared to any other acoustic instrument. The embouchure is chin pushed up and lip pushed out, no teeth, and the sound production is low to center in the range of where the note sits in terms of pitch (allows for more flexibility).
Classical - The player is going for "the sound" which can very player to player, but they are generally aiming at the same target, so to speak. The embouchure is chin down and lip tucked under, teeth act as a focal point on the reed with the lip acting as a buffer, and the sound production is high in the range of where the note sits in terms of pitch. Flexibility is still there (for vibrato), but other than that the embouchure is very set.
A developed sound in either style is independent (for the most part) and thus requires independent cultivation. A jazz mouthpiece can be played with a classical embouchure and a classical mouthpiece can be played with a jazz embouchure, but it's the embouchure that determines the style, not the mouthpiece.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this, more specifically attempting to practice and cultivate both types of playing styles at the same time? Of course any input or disagreements of the above are welcome as well.
To be clear, the goals of producing sound between classical and jazz styles are very different:
Jazz - The player is going for a personal sound that is indicative of that individual's personality/playing style/geographic location/whatever. As we all know the jazz sound spectrum is probably one of, if not the biggest compared to any other acoustic instrument. The embouchure is chin pushed up and lip pushed out, no teeth, and the sound production is low to center in the range of where the note sits in terms of pitch (allows for more flexibility).
Classical - The player is going for "the sound" which can very player to player, but they are generally aiming at the same target, so to speak. The embouchure is chin down and lip tucked under, teeth act as a focal point on the reed with the lip acting as a buffer, and the sound production is high in the range of where the note sits in terms of pitch. Flexibility is still there (for vibrato), but other than that the embouchure is very set.
A developed sound in either style is independent (for the most part) and thus requires independent cultivation. A jazz mouthpiece can be played with a classical embouchure and a classical mouthpiece can be played with a jazz embouchure, but it's the embouchure that determines the style, not the mouthpiece.
Does anyone have any thoughts on this, more specifically attempting to practice and cultivate both types of playing styles at the same time? Of course any input or disagreements of the above are welcome as well.