I go for the darker sound on my tenor. Really surprised by your soprano-very dark for that instrument. Alto and tenor sounded great. You stumped me on the geography quiz. Got the Vermont and Georgia, but missed the alto stop. Nicely done and quite informative. Thanks!
Great playing as usual, Jay! Alto: Moonlight in Vermont; soprano: Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans?; tenor: Georgia On My Mind. All three sound great, but if I played soprano, I’d go for one of those in a heartbeat! By the way, I’d love to hear your impressions on the Vandoren V16 large chamber for tenor. I’ve been playing on that mouthpiece for a while now and absolutely love it.
@@bettersax I know you've got a ton of mouthpieces and that you're always trying new ones, but I'd be willing to bet you'd be impressed by the V16 LC. I have the T6L and love its darkness and versatility (and for less than half the cost of the JJ Custom Dark. Having said that, JJ pieces are awesome, without question---the HR* 6* for tenor is my number two favorite, after the Vandoren). Thanks for your all your great content, Jay!
FIrst - THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU for a GREAT explanation regarding baffle, chamber, etc. I've been trying really hard to understand those relationships - your discussion is excellent! As for which mouthpiece, I play tenor, and really love the "dark" sound of the HR* 7, with your tenor. I will NEVER gig with anyone - it's all private studio work. So I don't have to worry about being heard. I just need to worry about the sound that hits a microphone. THANK YOU AGAIN - for the detailed, clear, concise explanation about mouthpiece engineering!
I play a custom dark with a power ring on my Yang Tenor. The sound is so unbelievably warm and dark it's like playing a hug. I love this Jody Jazz Custom especially o!d standards and those great ballads from yesteryear.
Wow! I can really hear the difference of this dark mouthpiece! Thank you for also sharing about reed strength and how it affects the sound from bright to dark.
Finally someone explained nice and clear how the mouthpiece (in combination with the kind of read) can influence your sound. I had to check out what the 'baffle' is (as Dutch speaking guy), and this clarified a lot. I love the sound for all the saxophones, especially the soprano and alto. My soprano with standard mouthpiece doesn't invite me to play it a lot. So, if I had to chose between the three types, I'd go for the soprano.
Thank you! To my opinion you are one of the very few saxophonists who genuinely understands how reed, mouthpiece shape and tip opening help shape the sound, and who can also explain it in simple terms. I'm an amateur player, Conn10M tenor with and OttoLink TM10*, which gives great flexibility of tone depending on choice of reed, though more brightness than your Jody HR* Dark. Also play a Super20 alto with a Bamber 8 Jazz mouthpiece, strangely this mouthpiece has an intermediate, twice angled rollover baffle in a large round chamber, it gives good projection and articulation, while still allowing for a dark sound in subtone style. Quite a forgiving mouthpiece on many vintage & modern saxes, works a treat on my friend's yanagisawa professional.
Jay I love how you give full explanation and description of those mouthpiece and reed setup to get a Particular Sound on your saxophone. Very important for saxophone players trying to get a particular sound. Great work my friend. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👍🏾💯🎷🎶
The tenor 7* sounds terrific, my choice. Actually, I'm looking for a not so loud, dark tenor mouthpiece for duos with a guitarist playing mostly standards. Sounds like this fits the bill.
I bought this mouthpiece for alto with a 6 opening and just love playing it, especially when I am practicing at home at lower volumes. The difference I noticed immediately when switching from my Meyer was with the highest notes which now sound so sweet and never shrill. A real pleasure to play.
Recently retired sax/bass clarinet player trying to get back into it. I've always leaned towards a darker sound. Currently, on tenor I'm switching between the (very) old hard rubber Brilhart Great Neck Streamline given to me by my teacher 45 years ago and a recently re-discovered hard rubber Otto Link (WT) that was given to me by a bandmate 25 years ago. I would really like to try the tenor version of this mouthpiece to see how current designs hold up against my older ones. Sounds great for you and that's coming from one Queens College grad (not a music major) to another!
these mouthpieces sound great, even if i may not have the best ear for "dark vs bright" in sax tones. usually i prefer a brighter sound because i got into tenor through clarence clemons' playing for the E street band, but i have to say i love how these mouthpieces sound !
@@danandyvonneandreasen804 unfortunately i dont actually have a mouthpiece that sounds like it, i just like the way it sounds. im not sure what kind of mouthpiece he used
As a jazz man, bright tones have always come naturally, but I would love to achieve a sound like yours someday. The tenor mouthpiece (my choice) sounds awesome.
Tenor is my choice... uh, because I play tenor! I'm more of a screamer/rocker, so I'd love to see if/when Jay does a "bright reed" video/contest. But I can enjoy playing quietly, too. Thx Jay for all of this - I enjoy being part of the Better Sax Empire.
Jay: Loved hearing you play, "Moonlight In Vermont," "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans>" and "Georgia" (on my mind). Great old tunes that sound so good on the sax. Thanks!!
As a newbie just starting out (again) I would love to produce a dark jazz sound on my sax like that on the Alto custom dark 7* tip opening. Just lovely. Only just getting into jazz, so unable to name any songs there, but starting to love mellow jazz particularly.
Ooo I’d love the Jody Jazz HR* Custom Dark 7* tip for my tenor! That’s the sound I want. I just started playing, binged all your videos and purchased all your courses. I already see so much improvement within this last week thank you so much, Jay!
If i had the money (im a 9th grade sax player cant get a job till the end of the year) i get it for my soprano i love dark soprano sound and i only have a 4c atm lol. idk why i like the dark soprano sound as i love a slightly brighter sound on my alto and tenor. good luck to you all who are entering. hopefully i get one in the giveaway because i love having a variety of mouthpieces to mess with and experiment
Yep, got these on alto and tenor. That’s the signature sound of the mouthpiece. Man I love these Custom Dark pieces. Nice job Jay 👍🏼 (and Jody and team! )
I would definitely choose the dark soprano mouthpiece, first because the soprano is the horn I play more than the Alto or Tenor. Second, since most of my work is solo performance in small settings, playing softly is quite desirable. Third, it would be a nice contrast to my tenor sound where I use a Dukoff 7 mouthpiece.
Hi Jay, if it’s not to late I’d like to throw a hat in the ring for an alto mouthpiece. Not for me but for my 8th grade son. He has been putting in some excellent efforts for about 2-1/2 years. In addition to some core music fundamentals, I have been focusing mostly on breath, embouchure, tone, pitch and just good practice habits with him and he is doing great. I have had him on my old S-80 C* for a couple of years and I am just continually impressed by his outstanding, solid tone quality and sense of pitch. He blew me away when he was only about a year into playing, when I was doing one of my lessons at home with him and I had my horn out so we could do some slow tempo focus on rhythmic meter and he was pitch matching on the fly! We had never worked on it and he was a natural. He has a good sense for the fundamentals and a good head on his shoulders. I am very proud of him Jay. His dedication is great and we are lucky to have a nice school music program with impressive community support and in the humble opinion of this father, he deserves to be rewarded. It would be nice if we could gift one of these ourselves, but our budget at this time just can’t swing it. Anyway, thank you for your drive and efforts in sharing your talents and obvious love for this fantastic Avenue of expression and fulfillment! Warmest and best regards for you and yours and best wishes to stay safe and healthy. P.S. I forgot to mention he (my son) produces a wonderful, rich, well developed “dark” sound.
wow haha that jody jazz hr mouthpiece sounds nice. I just got an alto sax less than a month ago after not being able to play at college since theres no band groups. I've been here since your old video from the coolest app for playing sax where you can add drum beats and what not. Luck to everyone. Dark is where its at
Like all three but if I was fortunate enough to win one a tenor 7* would be nice. I play a HR* 7 on alto now and like the happy sound it produces, loud or soft and it covers many styles.
After three years of testing, all I play are Jody Espina mouthpieces, including SATB Custom Darks, all 6* openings. But...I began with the Chedeville line up for classical on SATB saxophones, Clarinet and Bass Clarinet. Also own the whole Rousseau Classical line for SATB, including the ER50 anniversary models. The first time ever that one mouthpiece maker has ever dominated every instrument. Just awaiting the Chedeville Eb Soprano and Alto Clarinet 'pieces. My sax quartet members just bought JodyJazz mouthpieces for our jazz repertoire. Given all that, I still think the sound we have in our imagination is where we end up…..the gear just makes it easier to get there. I own over 200 mouthpieces, and I think Jody's 'pieces are better than anything else on earth, complex gorgeous ringing tone with great ease and response. It's....unbelievable...
Thank you for the channel. Im thinking to purchase a sax for first time. I have always wanted a sax since young but in the 80s they were too expensive and got a clarinet instead. I then switched to trumpet in middle school and played into high school but stopped soon after. I played the drums in church for many years but it's been well over 15 years since then. I'm a bit nervous to try the sax but I think I'll give it a try. These videos are great for anyone looking to play the sax. I'm eager to get back to the joy of playing a musical instrument. Thank you for the videos. The alto darker sound 👌
I really go for the darker sound, I have only started learning the alto and I haven't yet learned how to control those things over a longer piece so it suits me fine to have a mouthpiece which would help me with it. Not good on your quizz though, but I am just starting and don't remember names anyway, they all sounded good and that is what matters.
Vandoren V16+ 5, 6 and 7 for alto, D'Addario marble 6 and 7 for tenor, Vandoren v16 8 and 9 on Baritone. I prefer Rigotti gold jazz cut reeds. Great info Jay, as usual.
I really feel the dark tenor sound, that is the way I like a tenor sax to sing. I have a Jody Jazz HR* for my alto and I love it, the new HR Dark for my tenor would be sweet!
Hello Jay, beautiful Moonlight in Vermont. The sound is great, I am looking for a dark mouthpiece, I guess you have the ultimate mouthpiece to show us. Great stuff.
Jody jazz HR* custom dark for Alto fits my ears like a glove. Hope it would fit my sax too...😜 Thanks for the great videos. I bought a beginner alto from your test, and haven't regretted it a second. Love working with the sound, and learning the music.
Moonlight in Vermont, Autumn in New York, and Georgia - Love that HR 7.5 Tenor. I've played with reed choice too. The Alexander DC is darker than the standard Alexander. My Lawton 7* with a 3 Alex DC reed gives my alto a darker sound but still can project with the Lawton. I have found a range of dark to bright, soft and loud reponses on my Theo Wanne Gaia 3 Tenor 8*
A great sound but to me the true test of darkness would be to play a known brighter mouthpiece by way of a comparison. Would this be possible? Keep up the great work thanks Wayne
Alto on Vermont sounds sweet not overly dark, New Orleans tone on soprano is vey warm, very nice, tenor on GA has plenty of edge but still darkish/not bright. They all sound great -
The mouthpieces are all good. And the explanation really helped clear things up. Been using the same mouthpiece that came in my student saxophone for so long.
