Which Saxophone Mouthpiece Tip Opening Is Right For YOU? 

Hello Jay. I am very grateful I found your channel. First I would like to say that I played a tenor sax from 4th grade up until I graduated and went into the military. With that being said, I have no experience playing as an adult. A really good friend bought me a used tenor sax as a birthday gift that is in really good shape for what it is. Also I feel I need to mention that the last time I played a sax was 47 years ago, yes this is my 59th birthday. I am sure I will be spending a lot of time on your channel. Thank you for taking the time to make this content available. From a winded woodwind player.

I really like the sound you get on the number 7. It’s noticeably warmer, thicker and meaty-er. The 5 and the 6 sound the same to my ears but probably the feel is different. Great video.

I'VE BEEN SEARCHING ALL OVER FOR A VIDEO ON THIS TODAY. THANK YOUUUU

I love the Watermelon Duo you did with Jody. I can tell the BURNIN is really a great mouthpiece

I've been playing alto for basically all my life, I'm gonna be 20 in 2 months, and have played on a Selmer s80 190 classical mouthpiece, it has been very, very easy to play, very easy blowing, but I only got that because my teacher recommended it, because I was playing basically only classical at that point. A little while after he offered me to join his orchestra where I played alto for like 3 years and they mostly play like very known pieces, pop, jazz, jazz-rock and stuff like that, that's when I felt I wasn't loud enough, I couldn't play like the others. I considered purchasing a new mouthpiece, but my teacher, also the conductor of the orchestra, said I was "promoted" to tenor, so I held out on buying a new alto mouthpiece, unfortunately, the tenor sax they gave me had the same mouthpiece as my alto, which at least for me sounded horrible. After a while, the teacher said his buddy gave him a tenor mouthpiece for one reason or another and he gave me that mouthpiece to play. At first, I sounded much worse than I did with the Selmer, I felt like I forgot how to play the saxophone, the new mouthpiece was an Otto Link 7* I don't know the exact model, there is none written on it, It looks like a pretty old one, could be vintage for all I know. So after a while, I started to get the hang of it and sounded decent at best. And a couple of days ago we finally came together after not playing together because of the pandemic, I hadn't played the tenor for more than half a year, and somehow, for some reason, I found that I sound great, the 7* tenor mouthpiece felt easier blowing than my classical Selmer, which is a 3* I think. Somehow after not playing for a really long time, I am sounding, playing the best I ever have. And that kind of ignited a spark in me to upgrade my alto sax mouthpiece, because that's the one I own and actually play. I also play in a saxophone quartet, so that'll help me with that as well, because we don't play classical pieces with the quartet, I ordered it 2 days ago, It's a USA Meyer Alto Sax "G" 6. I got it recommended by a lot of players, in the orchestra as well, one of my friends from the orchestra even gave me to try out his Meyer 6* to see if I liked it, and for the first time in a lot of years, I felt like my sax was sounding as it should've sounded years ago.

i love the 6 tip sound !

I'm a beginner, but upgrading from a 4 to a 5 was breath of fresh air! (pun intended). I tried a six and felt like I was swimming. The sound is much bigger and more melodic, but I'll work my way up. The 5 is great for now.

This is the best summation of tip openings and reed strenghts I have seen. Well done Jay. Keep dispelling rumors, this is what every sax player needs most.

There is a difference in sound, though. On a larger tip 7, thinner reed can vibrate more, the core of the reed vibrates more too, creating more harmonics overall, and a more complex sound comes out. Larger tip openings reveal what the mouthpiece design can really do. And, #7 opening tells this alto mouthpiece is really good. (It has fantastic hand-finishing btw.)

I really like the warmer slightly darker tone of the 7 opening mouthpiece. Great video.

This is SUCH a GREAT VIDEO!! Very well elaborated, Thank you Jay!!

Thanks Jay, good advice !!!

Awesome! Good video. Glad to hear about softer reeds for larger tip openings. Makes sense now.

Thank you for explaining how to properly set yourself up for success with tip opening and reed selection! Great video Jay!

So I just found this video, and I really appreciate the depth you put into the different tip opening sizes! Looking back to when I bought a Jody Jazz Super Jet Alto (my first jazz mouthpiece), I realized moving from my classical Selmer to a size 8 was very likely a massive overkill of a jump haha. I wish I had this video back then!

Thank you so much for making this video! Everything you make always helps me so much by answering questions and just giving overall fantastic advice!

Thank you! Good explanation of the relationship between mouthpiece tip opening and reed strength, and how it influences sound. Cleared things up for me. I had been wondering about trying a larger tip opening, but now I’m going to stick with my Meyer 5 medium chamber mouthpiece. I like the sound you get in this video with a stiffer reed.

Super helpful Jay! Sounding great as always. Thanks!

Great info, thanks Jay for the many instructional videos you create time after time

This is some awesome stuff Jay! Wish I had this when I started!

Hello Jay, now this is a lesson about tip opening that I should have learned 10 years ago. So well explained. I was wrong playing 8 on most of all mouthpieces trying to have a better sound. Thank you Jay.

Thank you so much for providing such a thorough explanation of how tip opening effect airstream & playability, depending on your needs. This is incredibly valuable information for folks looking to purchase a new mouthpiece, & it will reduce A LOT of frustration in finding one that's a good fit. 👍👍👍

Best explanation I have heard in this subject and easily understood Thank you

This is so well explained ... Thank you Jay!

This is a much needed video that I wish I could have watched when I first started off playing my tenor saxophone

Thank you so much for this video! I've been trying to explain this to my son for years. Very well explained sir. Thank you so much!!!

A teacher that started me on a small tip opening would have saved me months of frustration!!! My dealer started me on a 7 with a 3 reed, and I couldn’t play. I discovered Ralph Morgan and talked to him on the phone-changed my life, Morgan 3C for alto with a 2 1/2 reed, magic! He made me a Morgan 2 for my tenor, with a 2 1/2 reed, magic! Now use Plastic reeds, magic! 😃🚀

JAY ,, ONE OF YOUR BEST EVER LESSONS .. For years including up to now I've struggled with many different reeds and mouthpieces combinations,, Some with false starts and others with immediate satisfaction with the combo i use today ... Listening and learning from you cuts the amount of time I've spent looking for satisfaction & comfort ..No other teacher ever mentioned what you are saying in this most important advise to all players beginners or professionals .. thanks a billion pal... Bobby G.. and keep on swingin'

Smooth playing..really dig it..those Burnin mouthpieces seem reslly nice.

I would definitely choose the 7 tip opening !

Extremely useful information. And again... I could listen to your wonderful playing for Hours.

Your video helped me a lot, thank you very much - you do a great, inspiring job just because your sound is a role model. Greetings from the Czech Republic

I really like this and i am only 9 years old i would love to see more videos and when i am older i will be like you😀😀 I really like this and i would love more how to play things so i can learn more

Has anyone ever told how great a narrator and presenter you have become? I watched and older Video of yours and the difference is huge! Like an upgrade from a tip5 to an 8. :) Thanks for these great vids.

Thank you for explaining. Now my questions about mouth piece are answered, and now i can pick which one to buy as beginner.

Thanks for all the effort you put into free quality content for us, your chanel is truly amazing.

This is the best channel about saxophone! You tell so interesting and impressive, that it forces to make a progress in my skills. And in spite of that English isn’t my native language and I can’t understand all what you say, I see all you videos with pleasure and also improving my language:) thank you!

Good information. I wish I had known these things years ago when I purchased mouthpieces. It will still come in handy in the future.

Thank you for this great information. I found your video on flattening reeds the biggest help in attaining a consistent sound on my saxophones. My embouchure is very picky. There are certain reeds that I can not use. Example Vanduran alto v12 is great for me but the standard Vanduran is hard for me to get a good sound from. I have found that Junos are very good for me, but other players cant stand them. This video helped me understand why one has to pair the right reed to a particular mouthpiece. I love your nice warm tone on the tenor. I am learning tenor now, so far the cheap PVC mouthpiece that came with my horn works great. I did invest in a Rovner ligature that really helped. The metal ligature that came with the horn was cutting into the reed and mouthpiece.

Thanks a lot for a very concise video on tip openings and the relation with reed strengths.

Thank you for this new video. Now it’s clear regarding the tip ...

This is a great video with solid explanations. I've never really bought mouthpieces; just played what came with the horns (other than a teacher that insisted my alto C* needed to be upgraded to an S90 190, then later to a Rousseau NC4). The tenor was toughest: coming with a C* for band/chamber work and a Dukoff Super Power Chamber D9 for jazz. Only being told that one was a classical piece and one was a jazz piece was not enough information!

My first mouthpiece was 6 on an Otto Link and I loved that mouthpiece cause it was so versatile and could always give me the sound I looked for when performing. 👍🏻😉😎😎😎

Well described indeed. Newbies need to hear this! FWIW my vote is for the 6.

Huge thanks for the help. You are the best.

Very clearly explained. Small tip opening - harder reed; big tip opening - softer reed

Jay - I’ve been blowin’ on your Burnin’ alto mouthpiece 6 on my Yani AWO20 sax in a big band and lovin’ it! Easy to blend, good control on full range and plenty of power when you need it. Thanks for the great piece!

As always brilliant 👏

This is great, thank you! I played a Beecher white diamond S8L (0.090!!) for lead alto in big band in high school. When I came back to playing sax again in my 30s it was waaaaay too much power for casual playing at home. So I got an Vandoren V16 M8 (0.085) and it feels easy and fun. There is no one right answer.

Just started playing the saxophone. I am a senior player and loving it. I started on a C melody 1916, but am trying to get an alto saxophone.

Super useful advices

You are the best teacher in the whole world.

Great overview and consultation for someone who hasn't played in more than 25 years, for various reasons. Kids are playing at school and dad's gotta get his chops back!

20 tip opening is perfect for me. Allows me to do lots of things that you just cant do on any other numbers bellow 16. Great videos on your channel! Thanks,

Always like your sound but this particular mouthpiece makes your sound even better. I really like it.

hi jay . your opening several bars on alto sax shows how terrific you play .. wow. call it great lyrical jazz . the kind i like .. Bobby G..

I really love the sound of the 5 the most!

... thanks for the information, excellent design, exquisite

on tenor i jumped from a yamaha 4c to an otto link super tone master 7*. transition took a while but oh boy do i not regret that decision. sounds fantastic

That's a very instructive video. When I started playing altosax as a teen-ager 65 yaers ago I would have wanted to have those clever advices . To day I play an Otto Link 7* with Rigotti Gold 3 and I'm very satisfid.

So good and accurate. I've played on my C* mouthpiece and Vandoren 3 reeds for decades. This is for band and orchestra. I switch to a Meyer 5 and Rico Royal 2 for big band and pit. I'll take your advice and go for a 6 or 7 . The 5 is "almost" but I want more. Thank you so much.

dude I need to know your lighting setup. literally one of the best productions I've seen on youtube

Had a 5* Otto link for first jazz alto mouthpiece then 10 years later switched to 7 and 8. I’ve returned the 7s. Got your burnin piece after playing jj hr*. Like them both but really like the fat sound I get with my burnin 7. Great piece just got it last week.

Excellent video even an older horn player like myself learned from this, thank you!

I needed this video a week ago! haha I F'd up and bought a 0.086" tip opening as a beginner, but slowly making it work! couldn't test it beforehand for health safety reasons

I havnt touched my tenor sax since I graduated highschool. Which is about 6 years. A little rusty no doubt but your videos deffinitly helped inspire me to pick it back up and blow a few notes

Definitely going with a 5. I'm older and have been away for quite a while. Thanx so much.

Recently purchased a V16 7-tip and Selmer Concept - BIG change from my stock Yamaha mouthpiece. Stock feels more powerful at the moment. But I’m hoping I can grow in to the others in the next year. I’m going to step down to a 2 1/2 reed to see what kind of difference it makes...and I’ll take up running this summer to increase my cardio and breath support! Thanks for the video!!

5, 6, 7, each one sounds better. Can tell you play a 7, your sound really opened up as the tip opening increased. Nice sounding piece!

Thank you for giving us insight on this topic :)

Very good explanation Of mouthpieces And reed combinations. 👍🏾💯🎷

Very useful information that translates to most read instruments (Bb Clarinet ...) Toying with why I need/want a lower note instrument, Tenor rings my bell although I have two 40's/50's Clarinets, and practicing Banjo as well. Thanks p.s. fun beginner "cheap" sax vids.

I’ve been watching your videos for a while and they are extremely helpful

Sheesh that is a beautiful sound and mouthpiece 🤩

Really glad I found this video after I ordered a new mouthpiece

Fabulous help, thanks!

Best information on mouthpieces that I have ever heard! Thank you!!

most helpful as always

Just received my Yani AWO20 alto and ordered your Burnin piece with Ring.. Thanks Jay.

Excellent info !!! Bravo !

I dropped from a Durga 10 to a Durga 9. I love it. The 7 with 2.5 sounded fantastic.

Burnin' mpc sounds great !

Wow! Very informative. Thanks.

Love it, send me the 6 Jay.

Great information here! Not many sax or clarinet players have ever been told how mouthpieces are sized. This information should be right up there when the student is intermediate to pro level! And I think the 5 tip opening sounded the brightest and most free playing, but I enjoyed how the 6 was a good combination with a little wider sound! The 7 sounded to open and not very focused! Great stuff, Jay!

#5 sounds brighter than the #7 to me. I am not sure a darker sound will be an advantage in sax like the trumpet or not, but the sound style can be determined by the opening. Thanks for your demo, Jay.

I’m a new follower and have been learning so much from watching your videos. Thank you so much for creating all of this content and putting it out there. It’s really helping me out so much!

I love the sound of the Burnin Mouthpiece~❤ from Philippines

Great info, thanks for sharing.

Thanks for very good information even being a beginner with saxophone.

Beautiful m/piece. Bright but rounded and full. Jay, your playing gets better (if that's possible)!!! LoL

your playing is fantastic Jay :)

Work at guitar center and just bought my first sax ( tenor of course ) it comes in early next week in super excited

I Have been played with the Beechler Diamont M5S. I loved the sound of your #5 and I will try to participate in the contest. 😊🎷

Thanks for your explanation, now I can make up my mind.

One of the best, most informative videos on this subject! For me, Especially the tips for “older players”/taking a brake from the sax etc... Back in the days, (and probably today?) I think a very common mistake is to go for a biiig opening, done so myself, because of many reasons: loud electrified surroundings, “your sax hero plays a 10 opening!, “It was just these old players that kept to those 5,6 openings.”..And generally; many people want a big type of sound. Currently I’m on 8* on tenor, but with 2 soft reeds to compensate..( gone down from 2 1/2) after hearing this video I’m planning to try out some smaller tip openings.. maybe 7 , 7* and then really try different reeds on that! Also very good tip! Thank you Jay!

Hey ! A Rico Royal reed with the stripe logo ! I have some of those (in the light gray box that also has the same stripes on it). I remember those from the 70’s ! Good video! I’ve moved down recently due to age ! I’m 61 and have been playing since 1969 ! Clarinets, Saxes & Flutes . A little Oboe and recorders too

Thank you for the helpful tips

My Better Sax Alto with Burnin' 5 mouthpiece gets here tomorrow. It's been almost 30 years since I last played so glad I guessed correctly 😂

Love your informative videos. I’m an advanced beginner looking to upgrade from my stock Yamaha 4C (alto). I’m going to see about trying the 5. Thanks for your advice. 😊