Things are going well with your new sax, but you want a new mouthpiece to improve you tone a little.

Welcome to the never ending search for the perfect setup. It all started with new reed, not it is down to a new mouthpiece or four.

No matter what, if you are truly committed to playing and want to improve, you will eventually have a need to change your set up. Whether it is an actual need or just psychological doesn’t matter.

You will need to develop your tone before you change set-ups. You may have stop reading right there. Alright, but remember who told you so.

Which mouthpiece

All new saxophone come with a standard mouthpiece that has a small gap between the tip and the reed. This is called a closed lay.

Beginners should stick to that mouthpiece for the first few months. That way you get used to it and can truly decide if you are happy with that set up.

If at all possible get someone who is more experienced to give you a little advice before your buy. Some people like the Yamaha 5 lay. It has a smallish opening and the reed will stall if you blow hard enough.

Others like the Otto Line tone Edge 5. It is a 5 lay, but it is more open than the Yamaha. It gives a more mellow sound, too.

Gap size is not standard across the saxophone industry. A 5 lay can be many different actual gaps. All you can do is get some advice and try different set ups until you are happy.

Photo Credit waltjabsco