Best proof that neither the mouthpiece, nor the sax, but the player him(her)self creates the sound. Awesome sound on any mouthpiece! You're a sax god, man!!!! (y)
I have a feeling that Charles is one of those guys who can grab an odd piece of plumbing, put any mouthpiece on it, and still sound great Lol... Call me dumb and deaf, I couldn't tell any difference between No.1 to 15 and everything in between. Happy blowing everyone !!! ♫♫ ❀(~‿~)❀ ♫♫
Thank you Charles for doing such an AMAZING compare/contrast! I'm a Tenor player only, but to my ears: The 2 pieces I was most positively moved by were the Wanne NY BROS and the C.E. Winds Noir. But the most distinctive sound for me was both of the Lakey pieces, which really surprised me.
Thank you Charles for helping to prove a point that I've been saying for years, that no matter what mouthpiece a player chooses his/her sound will always be identifiable. You sound like you on all of those mouthpieces. The only difference being darker on some brighter on others. I play a Morgan 7L, I would have liked to have heard you on a Morgan, as well as a Meyer which is probably the all time leading alto mouthpiece.
I bet I could drop a Yamaha 4c right on the tip from the height of a 3 story building, and you could still make it sound amazing..even with a broken reed.
My favorites were the Theo Wanne NY Bros 8, Jumbo Java 8 and CG Florence 7*. You're a great player. I play soprano, alto, tenor and (soprano) clarinet. I like Guardala on my alto and tenor.
Awesome comparison!! I've been playing my Meyer 5 NY for over 40 years. I've been looking for a 'modern sounding' piece and the closest for me, was the Beecher 7/8 metal but I'm still not convinced. Hmmm! More trials ahead!!
you prolly dont give a damn but does anybody know a tool to get back into an Instagram account?? I somehow forgot the password. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer me.
@Gunnar Maddox Thanks for your reply. I got to the site thru google and im in the hacking process atm. I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
I think part of the reason they all sound very alike is because it is a very bright room with a lot of natural reverb so you can't here the nuances of the piece.
It's a classic example that, in the final analysis, it's the sound image in your head that determines your tone. From the Lakey's on you also changed style, which would account for some of difference. With due respect: just pick the one you're most comfortable with and sell the rest.
Thanks Charles! A very nice way to compare different type of mouthpiece without having to go to different stores to compare them. It made me choose a Jody Jazz alto 6. I'm playing a Selmer studio session right now and I wanted a more edgy but still versatile mouthpiece to play jazz of course but also more funky or fusion type of music. Do you think that was the good choice? By the way great playing and sound you produce from all these mouthpiece.
I myself did not hear much of a difference until you played the Lakey mp's, but then they all appeared to be brighter and the bottom end either struggled to make a sound, or had a very distinctive tone. Of course I was listening on my ipad, so the speaker was limited. Personally, I liked the sounds from the first few best.
+Craig Ditzenberger, Those high baffle pieces don't have the subtleties of the rollover baffle pieces. I use to play them all the time but as I grew older I grew away from that type of sound. I still dig that bright sound when done well though.
Listening on Ipad speaker for accurate tone reviews, really?! At least plug in some earphones, before making a decision on the sound. It sounds like these were recorded with a camera's built in mic, far away from the sax itself, so you end up hearing a lot of room, instead of the actual sax sound.
+Raeven Brough Sorry, Steve Tyler was using my recording studio, so I had to initially settle for my 'lil ipad. Once ole Stevie was finished, I was able to listen to it via my real system. The subtleties of each individual mp popped out clear as day. Even ole Stevie thought Charles here did a pretty good job of demonstrating each one.
First, I must agree with the guys below... Charles McNeal, you can play dog!! Secondly, I agree most of the mouthpieces sound about the same, one reason is your playing... but I did hear some of the pieces lost it on the High register and altissimo. I play a vintage German Wagner mouthpiece (metal) alto "5 tip". I've had it since 1965 and it is just as good as ANY of the mp's above... the older mouthpieces like the Otto Links, Theo Wanne and Lakey seem to hold there own to more modern pieces. Just my opinion... Charles thanks for the demo.
marmaduke, claude lakey sound amazing. jody jazz reminds me of marc russo. ce winds have a ridiculously full low and high range. Have you tried ponzols? Where do you live i would like a lesson.
LOL. They all sound equally good with you playing albeit with some dif in sound. Maybe the room and mic are important. (i will have to listen again carefully to really appreciate their diff..) You sure have plenty!! Which is a must have (biggest bang for the buck) if i can only afford one?
Thank you so much for this great video! How do you like playing on the Jodyjazz 8? Would you recommend it for traditional or broadway musical work? Thank you!
Man, if you can comfortably switch between any of these pieces, then I can easily see the context for each of them. You sound different, but amazing on each piece. Do you find certain pieces hinder parts of your vocabulary i.e. large intervals, quick playing, altissimo etc.? Some people can play trumpet and sax equally well for example. Sometimes I feel like saxophonist should be able to switch mouthpieces depending on context.
Thanks for this video. I'm looking for a mouthpiece for a delicate but clear (not dark) sound - the standard Yamaha 4C on my YAS-62 joyously delivers fat and full but is meh on lighter playing. What sort of characteristics should I look for?
all pieces sounds good for a particular style of music , for me the first pieces are good on the acustic settings , the last ones maybe on the elctrical and fusion setting but if we need only one piece wich maybe do all for me are Claude Lakey and maybe few ! i have a Meyer Bros my main piece but never worked with electrical instruments dosen t cut in the mix ....you know gitar players wich have buttons to push !!
Hey Charles, I was wondering what mouthpiece you would recommend to a beginner in jazz (5 years under my belt, never experienced any different types of jazz until Mark Hoskins came into my life LOL). I also would like to know any jazz theory books or exercises for improv. Thanks!
What tip opening do you play on my alto i play an 9* to get some kick out of it and on my tenor I am comfortable with an 8*. That been said I get a terrible classical sound but I get a big jazz sound too. I use a cannonball vintage reborn as my sax. I want to know if you think I can make some changed to my setup to improve my ease of play and or tone
As a pro player and college music educator, my opinion is that the SOUND QUALITY is 50% the player, 30% the mouthpiece and 20% the horn. YMMV :). The sound you want is subjective. Paul Desmond or David Sanborn are quite different, for example.
Is the ligature that your using any better then the Rovner ligature and if so why and how much did it cost and what mouthpiece do you suggest using with it? What ligature are you using?
Yes to Happy Whale below. The great Don Menza once said to me "I could put on a white, plastic, Brillhart 4* mouthpiece and after a short time achieve "my sound." Individual sound does not emanate from the mouthpiece or the reed. It has to do with "hara," a Japanese term referencing a point just below the navel in your abdominal area. Open your throat and "sing" from that clear, pure center. It is the same principal that martial arts and physical disciplines known to zen practicioners are based. Charles is a wonderful musician and a personal friend. Everything he does emanates from compassion and a desire to help others. He will understand these comments.
I've always found playing alto a breeze so far as dealing with mouthpieces and tone. Could put any piece on any horn and blow. Playing Tenor however is a whole different animal so far as tone, intonation, overall sound, quality and nuance. Unless you're a player that just blows loud and proud then it doesn't matter anyway.
I'm playing on a jumbo java A45 too, I started on an A35 but the sound wasnt powerful enough, I was feeling tight and then I switched to the A45, I don't know about the A55, I heard one guy saying it was too open.
How I know i'm playing on the right mouthpiece: I wasn't watching, just listening, and I heard one and thought "wow that one sounds great"Looked at screen and it was the exact mouthpiece I play on (Claude Lakey 6*3")
It’s one thing to hear them. It’s another to play them. Which pieces do you feel played more freely and easily with your style? Which had tone which you liked? Lastly, which felt the best in the altissimo range?
It's all the same... You sound great on any of them...!!!! I bet you would equally kill it on a yamaha 4c!!!! It proves, sound is mainly in the player...
I used to play what my teacher told me to, a Meyer No.5. Not knowing what else is out there I ended up in the sax repair shop one day and was offered a whole bunch (at least 20 or more) pieces to try. I can't remember how many I played before I put very early (could be a prototype) T.K. No.5* on. My horn came alive like never before. That is the one I play ever since, must be 5 or so years by now.
To fast played for appreciate diferences correctly. Better in other style may be. Their are diferences, but the principal faktor is the sound that a player has in his head and try to blow out. Thanks for your good video. Sory for my english. Saludos de Argentina.
Best proof that neither the mouthpiece, nor the sax, but the player him(her)self creates the sound. Awesome sound on any mouthpiece! You're a sax god, man!!!! (y)
Yeah, gear is more about comfort but that's important too.
Agree totaal with previews posts, best proof that it is the player who makes the tone
I have a feeling that Charles is one of those guys who can grab an odd piece of plumbing, put any mouthpiece on it, and still sound great Lol... Call me dumb and deaf, I couldn't tell any difference between No.1 to 15 and everything in between. Happy blowing everyone !!!
♫♫ ❀(~‿~)❀ ♫♫
Agree 100%
Me neither
Hey! I liked your claude lakey sound. Thanks for test drive. God Bless!
Thank you Charles for doing such an AMAZING compare/contrast! I'm a Tenor player only, but to my ears:
The 2 pieces I was most positively moved by were the Wanne NY BROS and the C.E. Winds Noir. But the most distinctive sound for me was both of the Lakey pieces, which really surprised me.
Thank you Charles for helping to prove a point that I've been saying for years, that no matter what mouthpiece a player chooses his/her sound will always be identifiable. You sound like you on all of those mouthpieces. The only difference being darker on some brighter on others. I play a Morgan 7L, I would have liked to have heard you on a Morgan, as well as a Meyer which is probably the all time leading alto mouthpiece.
The Florence, the Beechler Diamond, and a few of the CE Winds were the one's I think stood out for me.
I bet I could drop a Yamaha 4c right on the tip from the height of a 3 story building, and you could still make it sound amazing..even with a broken reed.
If highschool band taught me anything, it's how to play on a broken reed. It's why once I got a legere signature series reed I never went back.
TOTALLY AWESOME!!! Wow. Thanks so much for this Charles. Love your sound(s), range and great technique! We need this kind of demo page. Wonderful.
This dude sounds great on every mouthpiece!
You are like Bird! No matter what you pick up and play it will sound wonderful. Very subtle differences.
My favorites were the Theo Wanne NY Bros 8, Jumbo Java 8 and CG Florence 7*. You're a great player. I play soprano, alto, tenor and (soprano) clarinet. I like Guardala on my alto and tenor.
This is the kind of no BS video I was looking for
they all sounds good to me.I think this is the proof that a good saxophone player can make any saxophone sound good.
I have to agree with Mark the those two did have a sweet sound.
Awesome comparison!! I've been playing my Meyer 5 NY for over 40 years. I've been looking for a 'modern sounding' piece and the closest for me, was the Beecher 7/8 metal but I'm still not convinced. Hmmm! More trials ahead!!
That Jody Jazz HR sounded pretty special. And very well priced.
and lastly a reed tied to a bag of 5 inch nails - gaffa taped to the sax neck - Oh !! that sounds great too. good job.
Wow! Thank you so much for all the time you put into this.
What an awesome sound you get from them all. Congrats, dude
They all sound great.....and very similar....
how am I supposed to choose a sound when you sound so amazing on all of them?!
thank you though!
you prolly dont give a damn but does anybody know a tool to get back into an Instagram account??
I somehow forgot the password. I would appreciate any assistance you can offer me.
@Alexzander Colten instablaster =)
@Gunnar Maddox Thanks for your reply. I got to the site thru google and im in the hacking process atm.
I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.
@Gunnar Maddox it did the trick and I finally got access to my account again. I am so happy:D
Thanks so much you really help me out !
@Alexzander Colten no problem :D
This proves it's not the piece it's the player.
Many sound almost alike.
Moral:Find the piece that gives you your sound most comfortably.
I think part of the reason they all sound very alike is because it is a very bright room with a lot of natural reverb so you can't here the nuances of the piece.
How do I find the piece that supports my sound without testing them or watching videos?
The mouthpiece does not change the sound, it make the sound you want easier to get
I really enjoyed the Theo Wayne New York Bros piece, sounded great!
It's a classic example that, in the final analysis, it's the sound image in your head that determines your tone. From the Lakey's on you also changed style, which would account for some of difference. With due respect: just pick the one you're most comfortable with and sell the rest.
I love the ARB on my Yamaha! for me it is the best mouthpiece !!!! I do not change it or died !!
めちゃめちゃ感動しました！！音超きれい！！
Conclusion: you are a great player and sound good no matter what you play.
CE Winds ( you’re great they’re all spectacular because it’s your talent )
Claude Lakey, Theo Wanne and Otto Link (wonderful sound) were my favorites!
I didn't care for the Lakey's. I'm surprised you liked them along with the Wanne & Link as there was quite a difference.
Thanks a lot for your talent and your work. Amazing, great channel.
Thanks Charles! A very nice way to compare different type of mouthpiece without having to go to different stores to compare them. It made me choose a Jody Jazz alto 6. I'm playing a Selmer studio session right now and I wanted a more edgy but still versatile mouthpiece to play jazz of course but also more funky or fusion type of music. Do you think that was the good choice? By the way great playing and sound you produce from all these mouthpiece.
I myself did not hear much of a difference until you played the Lakey mp's, but then they all appeared to be brighter and the bottom end either struggled to make a sound, or had a very distinctive tone. Of course I was listening on my ipad, so the speaker was limited. Personally, I liked the sounds from the first few best.
+Craig Ditzenberger, Those high baffle pieces don't have the subtleties of the rollover baffle pieces. I use to play them all the time but as I grew older I grew away from that type of sound. I still dig that bright sound when done well though.
Listening on Ipad speaker for accurate tone reviews, really?! At least plug in some earphones, before making a decision on the sound. It sounds like these were recorded with a camera's built in mic, far away from the sax itself, so you end up hearing a lot of room, instead of the actual sax sound.
+Raeven Brough Sorry, Steve Tyler was using my recording studio, so I had to initially settle for my 'lil ipad. Once ole Stevie was finished, I was able to listen to it via my real system. The subtleties of each individual mp popped out clear as day. Even ole Stevie thought Charles here did a pretty good job of demonstrating each one.
And defitively the best is the greatest ... Chaaaaarles!!!
great job Charles Much appreciated K
That was awesome!
First, I must agree with the guys below... Charles McNeal, you can play dog!! Secondly, I agree most of the mouthpieces sound about the same, one reason is your playing... but I did
hear some of the pieces lost it on the High register and altissimo. I play a vintage German
Wagner mouthpiece (metal) alto "5 tip". I've had it since 1965 and it is just as good as ANY of the mp's above... the older mouthpieces like the Otto Links, Theo Wanne and Lakey seem
to hold there own to more modern pieces. Just my opinion... Charles thanks for the demo.
marmaduke, claude lakey sound amazing. jody jazz reminds me of marc russo. ce winds have a ridiculously full low and high range. Have you tried ponzols? Where do you live i would like a lesson.
Muy bueno su video!!Saludos desde Cuba!!!
LOL. They all sound equally good with you playing albeit with some dif in sound. Maybe the room and mic are important. (i will have to listen again carefully to really appreciate their diff..)
You sure have plenty!!
Which is a must have (biggest bang for the buck) if i can only afford one?
Thank you so much for this great video! How do you like playing on the Jodyjazz 8? Would you recommend it for traditional or broadway musical work? Thank you!
oh man all of these mouthpieces have a beautiful sound! my favorites might the Jody Jazz JET and Claude Lakey series mouthpieces.
Thanks for this great job!!! And which reeds you using?
Thank you I really like the CE. mainstream 55
Nice playing!
Thank you man!!!! So Nice!
Nice presentation on all pieces.... Just curious... what is your piece of choice?
Dude: super-helpful. Thank you.
Claude lakey 7 #3 Nice sound
thanks so much, helped a lot
You sound fantastic on all !! Difficult to pick any one Bravo .,,,! D
Man, if you can comfortably switch between any of these pieces, then I can easily see the context for each of them. You sound different, but amazing on each piece. Do you find certain pieces hinder parts of your vocabulary i.e. large intervals, quick playing, altissimo etc.? Some people can play trumpet and sax equally well for example. Sometimes I feel like saxophonist should be able to switch mouthpieces depending on context.
Thanks for this video. I'm looking for a mouthpiece for a delicate but clear (not dark) sound - the standard Yamaha 4C on my YAS-62 joyously delivers fat and full but is meh on lighter playing. What sort of characteristics should I look for?
all pieces sounds good for a particular style of music , for me the first pieces are good on the acustic settings , the last ones maybe on the elctrical and fusion setting but if we need only one piece wich maybe do all for me are Claude Lakey and maybe few ! i have a Meyer Bros my main piece but never worked with electrical instruments dosen t cut in the mix ....you know gitar players wich have buttons to push !!
Hey Charles, I was wondering what mouthpiece you would recommend to a beginner in jazz (5 years under my belt, never experienced any different types of jazz until Mark Hoskins came into my life LOL). I also would like to know any jazz theory books or exercises for improv. Thanks!
Hey great mpc compilation, can you tell me what kind of runs you are taking, sounds damn jazzy! I would love to know. Thanks in advance
this is duper helpful, thank you! What is that ligature?
I liked the EBs at the start and then the Arbex ARB
nice thanks for making this video
What tip opening do you play on my alto i play an 9* to get some kick out of it and on my tenor I am comfortable with an 8*. That been said I get a terrible classical sound but I get a big jazz sound too. I use a cannonball vintage reborn as my sax. I want to know if you think I can make some changed to my setup to improve my ease of play and or tone
Thanks, Charles, for this wonderful demo. Somebody knows the name of the first song? It's beautiful.
As a pro player and college music educator, my opinion is that the SOUND QUALITY is 50% the player, 30% the mouthpiece and 20% the horn. YMMV :). The sound you want is subjective. Paul Desmond or David Sanborn are quite different, for example.
Which do you prefer, that doesn’t get in your way?
You could get a tune out of a plank of wood mate!Would love to see you do the same with 23 metal weapons.
Is the ligature that your using any better then the Rovner ligature and if so why and how much did it cost and what mouthpiece do you suggest using with it? What ligature are you using?
If I were to pick one to buy based only on this demo, it’d be the Claude Lakey Jazz 7 * 3.
interresting review. it would have been great do use a studio-mik for this job. too much reverb, too less overall-partials.
Yes to Happy Whale below. The great Don Menza once said to me "I could put on a white, plastic, Brillhart 4* mouthpiece and after a short time achieve "my sound." Individual sound does not emanate from the mouthpiece or the reed. It has to do with "hara," a Japanese term referencing a point just below the navel in your abdominal area. Open your throat and "sing" from that clear, pure center. It is the same principal that martial arts and physical disciplines known to zen practicioners are based. Charles is a wonderful musician and a personal friend. Everything he does emanates from compassion and a desire to help others. He will understand these comments.
Those white plastic Brilhart "Tonalin " mouth pieces are great
Great sound
wow.... i wish i could play this well..
Good job man.
Some are brighter than others but not drastically.
Will be nice to know what kind of reed you used with each mouthpiece
I would also argue that for a specific review on sound you would play the same phrases for each example.
Have you tried Theo Wanne? I hear those are really good.
Justin Yun he plays one at 0:49
I've always found playing alto a breeze so far as dealing with mouthpieces and tone. Could put any piece on any horn and blow. Playing Tenor however is a whole different animal so far as tone, intonation, overall sound, quality and nuance. Unless you're a player that just blows loud and proud then it doesn't matter anyway.
@ Bob Scmob, Let's hear you play alto, Bob Schmob...hear what you sound like???...making it sound a breeze,lol, regarding tone.
@@blackie8083 Sure! Send me a dozen of whatever alto mouthpieces you want me to play and I'll video record each one!
I play on a vandora jumbo Java. A45 what do you think about the mouthpiece vs A35
I'm playing on a jumbo java A45 too, I started on an A35 but the sound wasnt powerful enough, I was feeling tight and then I switched to the A45, I don't know about the A55, I heard one guy saying it was too open.
How I know i'm playing on the right mouthpiece:
I wasn't watching, just listening, and I heard one and thought "wow that one sounds great"Looked at screen and it was the exact mouthpiece I play on (Claude Lakey 6*3")
sound so FUCKIN' Good!!!
Jeez ur good
The first CE Winds + the Vandorens sounds great. I have always thought about Vandoren as "classical" but I guess they know their stuff.
The both Beechlers sounded best👌
Hello charles, you forgot Dukoff mounthpiece
You sound great on any of them, but I can't help to like the Vandoren best...
Huge contest but for me won Beechler 7. Wao, distinguish sound
What exactly are you trading to demonstrate ??? I do not underestimate what are you playing.
I'm just showing the different sounds that can be gotten from each of these mouthpieces.
It’s one thing to hear them. It’s another to play them. Which pieces do you feel played more freely and easily with your style? Which had tone which you liked? Lastly, which felt the best in the altissimo range?
It's all the same... You sound great on any of them...!!!! I bet you would equally kill it on a yamaha 4c!!!! It proves, sound is mainly in the player...
I have a Yamaha 4c and I hate it lol
have you tried any of those Ted Klum pieces?
+Joshua Figueroa, haven't tried Ted's pieces yet. One of these days I plan on purchasing one though.
I used to play what my teacher told me to, a Meyer No.5. Not knowing what else is out there I ended up in the sax repair shop one day and was offered a whole bunch (at least 20 or more) pieces to try. I can't remember how many I played before I put very early (could be a prototype) T.K. No.5* on. My horn came alive like never before. That is the one I play ever since, must be 5 or so years by now.
Do you have an opinion on the Vandoren V16 line?
Oh -- I just found your video with the A9s+!
I don't have a Reed 🙁 can't play it without huh
Seems I am in a tiny minority of 1 preferring the Tone Edge😂
I'm betting this Cat talks with a subtone too.
That's Theo Wanne Durga 3 ART starting from 5:18, right?
Super test
So what were your favorite top 3?
Great video- I love my Selmer soloist F short shank alto - I could sell this thing for 1300
To fast played for appreciate diferences correctly. Better in other style may be.
Their are diferences, but the principal faktor is the sound that a player has in his head and try to blow out.
Thanks for your good video.
Sory for my english. Saludos de Argentina.
Claude Lakey
Out of all of them which one is the cheapest?
3:10
Yep. Airy but not breathy.