So, you’re looking to change or improve your saxophone’s tone …

You don’t have to buy a new instrument to improve your tone! Many players, from beginners to professionals, find that simply switching your mouthpiece can completely change the feel, tone and even the intonation of the horn. Whether you are playing on your first student saxophone or you’ve invested in a fantastic, vintage horn, finding the right saxophone mouthpiece can allow you to get your best intonation, tone and expression out of your instrument.

You know that the mouthpiece does a lot more than just get the air from your lungs into the horn. The mouthpiece is actually the most intimate connection to your instrument. Because of the personal nature of each player’s preference, there is no one perfect mouthpiece for all situations. However, finding the right one for you can make a huge difference. 

Why do horns come with cheap mouthpieces?

Most new saxophones come with a basic plastic mouthpiece. Why does a pricey horn come with such a cheap mouthpiece? The answer is: it wouldn’t make sense to include an expensive mouthpiece with a new horn, because there is no single mouthpiece that works for every player. Some musicians prefer a mouthpiece with a wide tip opening and soft reeds; some like a narrow tip opening and harder reeds. So, no matter what mouthpiece a manufacturer included, it likely wouldn’t be the preference of most players.

When to buy a better mouthpiece

Many music educators suggest that students move to a professional quality mouthpiece as soon as possible, even right from the start of playing. Teachers often find that students are more successful with their tone production and section placement when using a high-quality mouthpiece, and as a result, enjoy their band experience that much more. Playing in general comes more naturally to a student who isn’t fighting against their setup.

How do professional mouthpieces differ from starter mouthpieces?

  • Material – most professional sax mouthpieces are made of hard rubber or metal instead of plastic
  • Manufacturing – better mouthpieces are often hand-milled instead of created by injection-molding
  • Tip openings and facings – manufacturers of higher-end mouthpieces do a better job of designing the mouthpiece to match the needs of the player
  • Engineering – well-made mouthpieces have precisely calibrated interior shapes and dimensions that do much more than simply hold a reed. In fact, you may even find that a greater percentage of reeds work because of the better and more exact facing curve.

Some reasons you could consider changing your saxophone mouthpiece

  • You currently sound big, bright and loud and you want to be darker and not as loud (or vice versa)
  • You want to play more consistently, including high notes and altissimo
  • You want to play different genres of music: different mouthpieces go better with jazz, classical, blues, rock & roll or other styles
  • You want to change the feel, tone, and even the intonation, but you understand that you also need to practice and work on your playing
  • You are going to perform with amplified instruments and you need to be able to “cut through”
  • You feel you are working too hard to get a good tone (perhaps you are blowing too much air or you’re unable to maintain proper embouchure); a different mouthpiece could help you play more efficiently

A simple solution, but not the only one

Swapping out a cheap mouthpiece is potentially a great way to change your tone and sound. While your equipment is important, it is not the only consideration for getting a better tone. Great playing comes from dedication, a willingness to learn, lots of practice and the study of other musicians. 

But, if you’re looking for a new mouthpiece for your saxophone, you have a huge selection available to you from great brands like Meyer, Selmer Paris, JodyJazz, Vandoren, Theo Wanne, Yamaha and more.

Read our saxophone mouthpiece buying guide for more information or, if you need help choosing, our experts are standing by to assist you at 800.348.5003.

Educators can reach our School Specialists at 800.346.4448, or they can request an express quote right here.