Forum of the Saxes

darby dylan · Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 63

Hello everybody
I have j'ust bought a new mouthpiece.A otto link where i'm verry pleased about but my question is why that my teacher and both shops i went into they sugested me to buy a Meyer.
what does it have of special that it is good to start with.
regards

dylan

Bariman · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 4:40 pm Post subject:

A Meyer is a very good step-up mpc, and could easily be used for pro gigs and recodings. They are usually in the medium price range, very close to the Otto Links. There are a variety of different facings and chamber sizes to try. Some more info can probably be found on the internet through a search engine.

Bariman
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Currently Moderating 'Vintage Horns', and the Usergroup for Bari Saxophonists!

reisio · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Florida

They probably figure it's an easy sell, since novices (others, too, but especially novices, imo :p) like the loud, abrasive sound you get easily with your usual Meyer. Instead of honing your tone you can have an instant Cannonball squeal (sort of :p) just by using a Meyer.

I personally can't stand them, but I'm not into squealing, so that's no surprise.

Lots of people equate jazz nowadays with squealing and growling a lot and generally making a fool of yourself. I'm sorry to people that like to do that constantly (used in moderation it's fine), but there's more to jazz than that.

Bariman · Posted: Thu Dec 15, 2005 5:07 pm Post subject:

I couldn't agree more, reisio. However, I tend to see the Meyers as a blank slate that a person can build their sound on. Sometimes, you just have to try something yourself to see how you play it.

Bariman
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Resident Conn Aficionado, Baritone Saxophonist
Currently Moderating 'Vintage Horns', and the Usergroup for Bari Saxophonists!

reisio · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Florida

'Course.

JPSaxMan · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 9:46 am Post subject:

Not to turn this into a tone thread but I agree with both reisio and Bariman. Although I play on a Dukoff D7, it wouldn't sound it at first glance. Why? I've managed to tame the beast so that I sound "normal". And not like some crackhead that just got buzzed before a gig. I've never had an experience with a Meyer, but if that's the sound you first get out of it, you'll need to tame it so that you can sound normal. But hey, if that's your thing, go for it. Mr. Green

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JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

darby dylan · Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 63

That's what they told me in the shop that i should buy it because you can form your sound with it.but i really didn't like the sound now i have my Otto link i'm so pleased i can't stop playing on it.But the problem is for the academy i play classical music and for myself i play jazz(intensivelly).i'd love to continue with jazz for my higher studies.
The problem is for classical i'm quiet advanced tpo and my teacher wants me to continue with classical for my higher studies and he wants me to stop playing jazz.the problem is that for him i play on a classical mouthpiece and for the jazz on my otto link.
Could this be a problem???
regards

dylan

JPSaxMan · Posted: Fri Dec 16, 2005 4:38 pm Post subject:

I don't quite understand your quandry Confused

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JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

reisio · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Florida

If your teacher is suggesting you use a Meyer for classical, get a new teacher (or accept that even if you end up with a lucrative career, you will probably sound like crap to people with even remotely trained ears).

As I've said elsewhere, I haven't heard a classical saxophonist on any prestigious recording lately that didn't sound like complete crap. Sure, their technique was good and if you had a tuner you could tell they were hitting the right pitches - but they usually have an overblown sound and a harsh, ear-splitting tone.

Sometime in saxophone history it was apparently established amongst professional teachers that sounding like crap is how it should be done the legit way. Go figure.

In fact come to think of it, if your teacher is suggesting you shouldn't play jazz, he's clearly a goof. :p It's all the same when you get down to it.

JPSaxMan · Posted: Sat Dec 17, 2005 12:34 am Post subject:

Actually reisio, I think my classical sound/tone is pretty good. I'll record some legit stuff some time for you to liste to Mr. Green

_________________
JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

reisio · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Florida

darby dylan · Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 63

No i'm not playing on a meyer for clasical music.of course not.for classical i j'ust play on a standard selmer c2(2 stars i mean).

Have you ever heard sombody play classical on a Meyer???

reisio · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Florida

Considering how horrible so many classical players sound nowadays playing on conservative mouthpieces, I hope oh so very much I never have to hear it done with a Meyer.

I've done it myself...so painful.