Mouthpiece Sizes

Paul R. Coats

 

Concert Band/Solo, etc.                      High School                            College/Pro

           

            Alto Sax                                  .065"-.070"                             .065"-.080"

            Tenor Sax                                .070"-.085"                             .070"-.090"

            Baritone Sax                            .080"-.090"                             .080"-.090"

            Soprano Sax                            .048"-.055"                             .050"-.060"

 

Jazz/Rock/Theater

 

            Alto Sax                                  .070"-.080"                             .075"-.090"

            Tenor Sax                                .080"-.090"                             .085"-.105"

            Baritone Sax                            .085"-.095"                             .090"-.110"

            Soprano Sax                            .050"-.055"                             .055"-.070"

 

Examples:

            A high school alto saxophonist, for concert band, would choose a Selmer C*, C**; Runyon #4, #5; Vandoren V-5 A20, A25; etc.

            A high school tenor saxophonist, for jazz/rock would choose a Runyon #5-#7; Otto Link #5-#6; Berg Larsen 80-90.

            Try jazz mouthpieces with a #2--#2 1/2 reed.  With these larger tip openings for jazz type mouthpieces a softer reed is usually required.  Even two different designs of mouthpieces with the same tip opening (Runyon 88 #5 and Selmer C**) will blow with different resistances and may require a harder or softer reed for best results.

            Refer to the charts in the Woodwind & Brasswind catalog, or on Steve Goodson's Saxgourmet site, www.saxgourmet.com.

                        Concert/symphonic mouthpieces include:  Selmer S-80 and S-90 (in both rubber and metal); Runyon 88, Classic, Symphonic, and Finesse; Bamber Concert; Vandoren V-5; Rousseau; Bilger; Morgan; Hite; Ridenour; Larry Teal Alto Sax (Selmer).

            Popular jazz type mouthpieces include:  Runyon Custom Spoiler, Metal Spoiler, Quantum; Meyer; Otto Link; Beechler; Berg Larsen; Brilhart; Vandoren Java; Selmer Metal Jazz; R.I.A; Claude Lakey; Guy Hawkins; Dukoff.