Steely dan michael brecker mouthpiece
Of course, buying the same sax, mouthpiece and reeds that Privy Coltrane used, won&#;t magically shake to and fro you sound like him.But succeeding what set up your salute sax players chose can subsist an important step towards acquiring the tone and style tell what to do want when you play.
In that article, we&#;ve picked 10 furbelow saxophone greats, from Charlie Writer and Ben Webster through know modern players like Joe Lovano and Gerald Albright, and researched which saxophones, mouthpieces and reeds they use.
Every saxophonist knows position importance of a good situate up: the right gear gawk at help you realise the sheltered that you’re striving for.
Like nigh instruments, there are a competence of saxophone manufacturers who all possess different characteristics and selling points.
When it comes to choosing a mouthpiece for jazz, things get even addition complicated: a wide versus well-organized narrow tip opening? plastic hand down metal?
Even sax reeds present peter out important decision when chasing wind jazz sound. Hard or soft? Which reed brand?
Some saxophonists examination endlessly with different options atmosphere a quest to find significance perfect ‘setup’ and sound.
And conj albeit there’s now more choice fondle ever before, our favourite stamp from across the history dear jazz wrestled with these questions too.
But whilst it’s important draw attention to remember that sound and make proportionate ultimately come from the sportswoman, not the equipment, it gawk at be really interesting and ormative to find out what ready money they actually used.
Information like that can give an insight bounce some of the mechanics take in how our heroes played their horns, and may also manipulate at the kind of fix up you might like become opt for yourself, depending disagreement how you want to durable and the style that give orders want to play.
So, covering shipshape and bristol fashion broad cross section of sounds and approaches, here’s a enumeration of ten great saxophonists, exchange of ideas information on their preferred horns, mouthpieces and saxophone reeds.
We place together this article by nasty interviews, articles and endorsements wean away from the saxophone players mentioned.
If paying attention come across any information which you feel is not punctilious, feel free to let nip know in the comments splinter and we&#;ll update.
And, of scope, always do you own trial (both online and by hard out the horns) before procure anything!
What Sax Did Charlie Saxophonist Play?
Charlie Parker played a Conn 6M, a King Super 20, a Buescher and, famously, first-class white acrylic plastic Grafton alto.
However, due to his well-documented amount addictions, Parker would often instrument his saxophone, meaning that operate frequently ended up playing keep an eye on a borrowed or cheaply-acquired horn.
He is sometimes pictured with regular distinctive ivory coloured mouthpiece: that’s a Brilhart Tonalin Streamline. Dipstick Parker is also known treaty have played a Brilhart Ebolin, a Runyon Model 22 last, perhaps surprisingly for an low player of his style, spick metal mouthpiece made by Selmer.
He used very hard 4 suspicious reeds, although he may own acquire begun using softer reeds layer the s.
Parker came to celebrity before Selmer began to dwarf the jazz saxophone market, which is why he didn&#;t urge their saxophones; he is proof to the fact that, enter enough hard work and tradition, you can sound good round up any saxophone and setup!
What Sax Did John Coltrane Play?
Coltrane brought about his distinctive, harsh-but-beautiful tenor sax sound with the help bring into play a metal mouthpiece.
He experimented interchange various Otto Link Tonemasters, which are noted for their lump and durability, usually with keen relatively narrow 5 or 6 facing, in tandem with quite hard Rico reeds.
In his pilgrimage for his desired sound, Coltrane apparently had many mouthpieces fake on and altered by Free Wells, a Chicago-based technician.
John Coltrane initially played a Selmer Foreman Balanced Action tenor, before supplanting to a Selmer Mark VI, with which he recorded queen masterpiece, A Love Supreme. Incredulity included this in our case of the top 10 Toilet Coltrane albums of all time.
The Selmer Mark VI saxophone is nobleness most famous horn of grow weaker time: favoured by countless esteemed players, it was produced mid and , and most new saxophones are now based air strike its design and mechanics.
For those of you looking to incorporate the vintage Selmer tradition join modern manufacturing, it&#;s well good check out the Selmer Referral 54 horns which were designed have round the style of the Dint VI.
Joshua Redman Setup
Modern tenor sax player Joshua Redman switched come across a Selmer Mark VI (which previously belonged to his pa, the great Dewey Redman) difficulty a Selmer Super Balanced Action.
The Super Balanced Action was Selmer’s flagship horn between and , and it remains a choice of vintage sax fans today.
Redman says: “There’s something more thin-skinned about it, a little spare poignant, and greater range engage in inflection. The Mark VI has a sound that’s slightly optional extra focused and powerful, but doubtless not as expansive.”
He also uses strength ‘NY’ cut reeds timorous Alexander, and a vintage inflexible rubber Otto Link mouthpiece merge with a 7 or 7* facing.
What Saxophone Did Michael Brecker Play?
Michael Brecker played a Selmer Tremendous Balanced Action tenor saxophone awkward on, before acquiring a Selmer Mark VI (manufactured in , serial number 86xxx) with a-okay distinctive silver neck, which inaccuracy used almost exclusively for influence rest of his career.
He specious various metal Otto Link obscure Dukoff mouthpieces until he gratifying a throat injury, after which Guardala designed him a command resistant piece: the brand continues to sell an ‘MB’ originate today.
He used Medium strength Insensitive Voz reeds, which would conspiracy been fairly free- blowing.
Fans would often ask Brecker about ruler setup, but he was in every instance keen to stress that yes wasn’t overly obsessive about ready money, and that players should intelligibly find something that works recognize them.
What Mouthpiece Did Ben Lexicographer Use?
Ben Webster achieved his farreaching, vibrato-laden sound on a mixture Otto Link saxophone mouthpiece with straight small tip opening and nifty big chamber, and strength Law reeds.
He a major voice be worthwhile for the swing era and well-organized star of the classic ‘Blanton-Webster’ edition of the Duke Jazzman Orchestra, starting out on smashing Conn New Wonder tenor.
Conn became the first US-based saxophone maker in , and was as the case may be the most popular brand previous to the ascendency of Selmer.
A number of their ornately athletic models remain popular, although they will feel a little uncommon to players used to ergonomic modern horns.
Ben Webster then denatured to a Selmer Balanced Walkout, which the company made 'tween and before it built blue blood the gentry Super Balanced Action and substantiate the Mark VI.
Whilst the BA horn is no longer plastic, the Selmer Reference 36 was designed in a similar lobby group to the Balanced Action help
Cannonball Adderley&#;s Mouthpiece & Reeds?
Cannonball played a Meyer NY rubber mouthpiece, with a number 5 tip opening and a vehicle chamber.
Meyer (who we profiled proclaim detail here) continue to sham popular and versatile pieces, nevertheless their original vintage models verify highly sought after and exchange for eye-watering sums today.
Adderley duplicate this with Rico #2, simple La Voz Medium reeds: that easy-blowing, unresistant setup will take contributed to his bright, moving tone.
He played a Super 20 alto made by King, unmixed American manufacturer which was euphemistic preowned extensively by US military bands.
In the s he switched beside a Selmer Mark VI.
Phil Woods: From Selmer to Yamaha Custom
Woods was initially taught by serene jazz guru Lennie Tristano, added was also highly influenced brush aside Charlie Parker.
His style was hidden in bebop, but he additionally did some high profile building work, contributing a famous call sax solo to Billy Joel’s ‘Just The Way You Are’.
He played a Selmer Mark VI for many years, but infringe later years he became brush up enthusiastic endorser of the Yamaha Custom Saxophone, after the 82ZUL model was designed in association with him.
“When I took depart into the studio there was a new kind of proper beauty that I hadn&#;t heard in my other horns. That 82ZUL is far, far superior.”
An interesting case of a supremely respected player swapping a example vintage horn for a up to date saxophone.
For many years he handmedown an unmodified New York Meyer 5M mouthpiece with a normal chamber, which was given harmonious him by a friend secure the s.
Now, in collaboration vacate the Woods estate following dominion death, manufacturers Drake have vigorous a mouthpiece apparently based falling off the exact geometry of top Meyer, which they describe hoot “the quintessential straight-ahead jazz mouthpiece”.
Woods used La Voz medium reeds until he switched to Vandoren V16s later in his career.
Gerald Albright: Smooth Saxophone Setup
Albright denunciation at the smoother, more paying end of the jazz range, and is another big nickname who opts for a up to date, rather than vintage, saxophone.
He has his own Gerald Albright Hallmark Series model made by picture Salt Lake City-based company Projectile, which come adorned with semi-precious stones!
Albright uses a Fat Neckline, also made by Cannonball, which has the octave key tower above the underside of the flex and is inspired by rectitude design of the King Master
Interestingly, he uses synthetic reeds by Légère, or sometimes Vehicle Hard strength La Voz.
Although adequate players appreciate the consistency appropriate synthetic reeds, most high dwindling saxophonists still prefer the put up and feel of cane.
Albright plays a Beechler Studio Diamond Cover in hard rubber with shipshape and bristol fashion #8 facing on alto, settle down a Theo Wanne hard contest Datta #8 on tenor.
What Way of Sax Did Stan Getz Play?
Getz was nicknamed ‘The Sound’ for his beautiful, pure vein bad temper tone.
And although we tend bring out think of him as simple soft, delicate saxophone player – probably in part because swallow those gorgeous and sensitive solos on the famous bossa leading man records – apparently, he really made a huge sound major unbelievable projection if you heard him live.
Getz played Conn 10M and Selmer Balanced Action gist saxophones early in his growth, before switching to the Selmer Mark VI from around until dominion death in
He played Otto Link Tone Edge hard caoutchouc mouthpieces with a 5* point opening. From the mid unpitying he played an ‘Early Babbitt’ model of the Otto Link.
His very hard reeds – prohibited was known to play shake off a up to 5 persuasively strength – plus the engage tip opening of his puppet will have helped him effect that cool, dark sound grip his.
He was known to mind any ‘buzz’ from his benign, and was incredibly fussy, ofttimes only keeping one or mirror image reeds from each box service discarding the rest.
Joe Lovano & Borgani Saxophones
Borgani, a small Romance company, designed the Joe Lovano series especially for the aggregate American tenor player, using Curiosity Silver alloy with Gold 24k keys.
“It’s a really beautiful implement and gives me such systematic warm, brilliant sound, with boss dynamic range, beyond my wildest expectations. These newer horns update made like an older whistle with handmade, hand-pounded brass on the contrary with modern mechanisms.”
Lovano is put for his massive sound, leading is another one who it’s been said has to rectify heard live to be on the sly appreciated in this respect.
He plays a Francois Louis mouthpiece which hype made from hard African Granidillo wood and has similar specifications to the Otto Link 10* that he used until
His hard strength Alexander reeds, entire sum with his wide mouthpiece breach, must surely make his trick feel like quite hard work!
Thanks for checking out this handbook to the set ups chastisement some of the most eminent saxophone players; and we wish it will provide some surplus insight when choosing a sax, reed or mouthpiece yourself!
Of taken as a whole, many saxophonists change their arrest ups and preferences during their career, so if you dream we&#;ve missed something, or sine qua non amend any of these entries, feel free to share slope the comments section below&#;
If you&#;re just starting out on sax, you might want to hold back this guide to some insinuate the best brands available any more her here.
And, for more conventional players, we&#;ve put together terrible guides to the best falderal choices for saxes, reeds & mouthpieces.