April 25, 2024

pika writes “What do people think about the metal mouthpieces with spoilers? How much louder do they make you sound(tener sax) because i was thinking about getting one for marching band. Email me if you know anything.”

First off, we don’t “email me if you know anything”. That also goes for people who “please email your XXXX arrangement”. You won’t believe how many times a week I get that. It is so Middle School.

Back to your question. A baffle indeed makes your mouthpiece louder. I think that is what you mean by “spoiler”. It would make a metal mouthpiece louder obviously. However, it does change the quality of the tone you get out of the mouthpiece. I tried Power Tone Baffles briefly on alto, and did not care for them. I got more volume, but the tone just didn’t sound good.

There is another thing you could try. If you put some paper underneath the reed (where the reed and mouthpiece contact), that will give you a little more buzz and power.

5 thoughts on “Metal Mouthpieces and Spoilers

  1. Actually, Eric, I believe the writer is referring to mouthpieces like Runyon (around for quite awhile now) and JodyJazz (inspired by Runyon), which come with “spoilers”. They are removable baffles that have a metal “tongue” attached. Yes, the baffle itself adds some “cut”, but the tongue also vibrates as a result of the air passing around it and adds its own dynamic. See the http://www.jodyjazz.com site for a much better explanation than I can provide.

  2. A baffel with a metal tongue huh? Seems like you cannot use it on anything other than a JodyJazz. And the same seems true for Runyon’s model.

    Interesting idea, adding a baffel with a metal reed inside the mouthpiece. But if you are stuck using just those two brands of mouthpieces, what is the point? I mean, if you have a sound using an Otto Link, and want more edge, do you ditch it and get a Runyon with a spoiler?

    Wonder if any of the mouthpiece refacers could add something like this to a mouthpiece?

  3. Using a metal mouthpiece and slightly harder reed should give a big enough sound for a marching field tenor sax. The metal mouthpieces I’ve encountered normally have a chamber designed to project. Spoilers are nice but not necessary.

  4. giving my say, i have a jody jazz classic, with the spoiler and love it, but..
    the bad thing is your really have to sacrifice the tone, i’ve done everything and am a very advanced jazz student in college, for marching if its straight blaring it should suit you right, but the spoiler really does sacrifice any tone quality your looking to get.
    If you looking for a lout but very versatile mouthpiece try a selmer c* soloist.

    1. Selmer C* is really an underrated mouthpiece. Easy to control, and you can use it in just about any type of setting.

      Meyers are that way too. The paper under the reed thing works, but there are so many other things to try nowadays. Plastic reeds, plastic covered reeds are probably the easiest things to try. I always find myself going to Rico Plasticovered reeds when I need more “pop”

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