The mouthpiece, ligature and reed are the 3 most important items in playing the saxophone. They dictate what sound comes out of the instrument, so it is therefore paramount that we make sure they are of the best quality and suit the individual.

The tip opening number (or lay) refers to how big the gap is between the end of the reed and the tip of the mouthpiece. Basically this effects how much air it is possible to push through the sax as well as how much the reed itself moves when blown. Hence the bigger the lay the more powerful projection a player can get from a horn and the more potential for dynamics. Conversely, a wider lay requires more physical effort to play and is more tricky for a player to control. Also watch out for the fact that different companies use different numbering conventions to describe tip openings so direct comparisons are not always straightforward. It is usual to start with a small size No.4 and then move up as you progress.

One of the best ways to improve the tone and playability of your sax is to upgrade the mouthpiece, ligature and reed set-up. There is a huge choice of mouthpieces to suit every kind of level and playing style. Even before considering a new mouthpiece, it is recommended that you replace the standard metal ligature that comes with your instrument, and it would be wise to invest in some better quality reeds (there are many different brands). A brief survey of mouthpieces, ligatures and reeds has been conducted by our in-house sax players. 

Here are a few basic guidelines:- As a general rule Ebonite mouthpieces are the choice of many players who wish to deliver a clear and lighter tone whereas metal mouthpieces tend to be louder with more edge to the sound, and are the choice of many who play jazz, blues and rock. Metal mouthpieces tend to be more popular with the tenor saxophone as they can project the sound further. However, there are always exceptions to the rule and can be found in our survey of 'all things mouthpiece'.

Lets Begin at the Beguine!

1. The Mouthpiece 

the baffle. This is the portion at the top of the mouthpiece that slopes downwards into the mouth. A high baffle (thick) gives and an edge or a buzz to the sound. A low baffle (thin) does not project as much but produces a slightly darker sound, can be harder to blow.

the facing. Extends from the table and controls the gap between mouthpiece and reed (known as the tip opening). A long facing can be more difficult to control and along with a wide tip opening requires good embouchure strength if played with a hard reed. It is difficult to play soft with a mouthpiece like this. With a short facing there is usually a narrow tip opening( the gap between reed and mouthpiece is small). This does make it easier to blow for beginners using a soft reed, but the clarity of sound in the extreme registers of the sax suffers and can sound out of tune. Facings usually come in 3 sizes - short, medium and long.

the table. This is where the reed sits and should be as smooth and flat as possible. The reed must sit very securely on the table. A clean contact between reed and mouthpiece improves tone production and allows the reed to function correctly.

the chamber. This is where the air waves resonate before they enter the saxophone. The general rule is that the smaller the chamber the louder the sound, and vice versa. The more direct the sound enters the sax the more the sound will project. Big chambers produce a mellow tone whereas smaller chambers tend to be harder edged.

Most mouthpiece manufacturers provide a range of different sizes.

Just check out the chart below!
A selection of the tip openings available: (this is the gap between the tip of the reed and the mouthpiece, also called the 'lay').

Different tone chambers available: Brilliant(0), bright(1) & round(2).
Different materials available : ebonite, grained ebonite, stainless steel & bronze.
This means that when choosing an alto mouthpiece with this particular make you have 60 variations! 

The sizes above are followed by most of the well known makes of mouthpiece and this makes it much easier to choose a mouthpiece that suits you.