Tenor mouthpieces come in many different flavors but there are some basic choices that represent a good place to start for most players.
Recommended Classical Tenor Mouthpieces:
Most classical tenor mouthpieces are going to be made from hard rubber. The notable exception is the Selmer Classical Metal mouthpiece. Through the years I have played with a variety of classical tenor pieces including most of the mouthpieces on the list below. I found that the Morgan 3C may be one of the best classical mouthpieces on the market today. The tone is full and easy to control and the craftsmanship is top notch. I have also spent a lot of time playing a Morgan 5L over the years. The 5L has a bit more edge than the 3C but still performs wonderfully in a classical ensemble. These days I play on a modified Otto Link hard rubber 7* that I am able to play in both classical ensembles and jazz groups. This is probably not the best choice of tip openings for a young player. I would tend to recommend a 5* Otto Link Hard Rubber or a Morgan 5L since it will be easier on their chops.
The Eugene Rousseau pieces have a typical French classical vibe to them.
Morgan 3C
Morgan 5L
Selmer Larry Teal
Selmer Classical Metal
Eugene Rousseau R4 or R5
Eugene Rousseau NC4 or NC5
Otto Link Hard Rubber 5*
As mentioned above, I believe that the L series from Morgan and the hard rubber Otto Links are versatile pieces that can be played in either a classical or jazz setting. You will find that the finishing on the Morgan pieces far exceeds what you will find on any typical production piece but be prepared for a significant difference in prices. In my opinion there's a noticeable difference.
Some of the mouthpieces below can be easily played in a concert band situation. The Morgan L, EL's, Vandoren V16 Hard Rubber, Bari Hard Rubber, and the Runyon SR can all be played in either setting.
The Morgan EL's have the shape of a metal mouthpiece but are made from hard rubber. To my ears they have the vibe of one of the all time classic mouthpieces - the Otto Link Super Tone Master's that were made in Florida. These are commonly referred to as "Florida Links" and haven't been made since the late 1960's.
The Vandoren Java pieces are strictly jazz pieces in my opinion. These pieces have a more piercing tone and tend to have a bit more projection and edge than you can normally get away with in a classical ensemble or concert band setting. The Vandoren V16 hard rubber pieces came out in the last year and are in the spirit of the classic Otto Link hard rubber pieces which are commonly referred to as "Slant Links" due to the fact that the Otto Link name is embossed at an angle on the mouthpiece. These can be very nice pieces. The Bari Hard Rubber 100 tip piece could be played by an advanced player in just about any setting but the younger player may have difficulty adjusting to the large tip opening. The Jody Jazz HR* pieces are yet another Otto Link inspired piece made from high quality German hard rubber. These pieces are very well thought out and generally are top notch players. Finally we have the Runyon SR. The SR has a slimmer body and has a tone that would probably considered to be more west coast cool than anything else. They're difficult to describe since they're not in the vein of any other piece. Well worth a try though.
Recommended Jazz (and sometimes classical) Mouthpieces (hard rubber)
Morgan 5L, 6L, 7L
Morgan 6EL, 7EL
Otto Link hard rubber 6, 6*, 7
Vandoren Java T45, T55, T75
Vandoren V16 Hard Rubber
Bari Hard Rubber 100 tip
Jody Jazz HR*
Runyon SR
With rare exceptions (the Selmer Classical Metal being the only real example) most band directors will frown on their students playing metal pieces in a classical setting. Most people consider metal mouthpieces to be made for jazz only.
Their are two different metal pieces available from Otto Link that are worthwhile jazz pieces. They are the Otto Link Super Tone Master and the Otto Link Super Tone Master NY. Personally, I prefer the NY model as I find that the tone is more smooth and full. Some players prefer the more traditional STM sound which has a bit more bite and edge to it. Either mouthpiece represents a pretty safe choice. The Vandoren V16 metal pieces are more edgy and project more than the Otto Link metal pieces. A number of well known players use them and they're quite popular. Finally we have the most expensive pieces on the list. The Jody Jazz DV and Jody Jazz DV NY. These pieces have a rather unique design and provide a wonderful tone that I liken to that of the great vintage Metal Otto Links.
Recommended Jazz Mouthpieces (metal)
Otto Link NY 5*, 6, 6*, 7
Otto Link Super Tone Master 5*, 6, 6*, 7
Vandoren V16 T55, T75
Jody Jazz DV
Jody Jazz DV NY
As with any purchase, I always recommend that people take the time to play as many pieces as possible to see what plays best for them. Everyone has an idea of what they want to sound like and their equipment should "get out of the way" and let them create that sound. This list is by no means inclusive of all of the mouthpieces on the market today but represent some easy to find choices that have established reputations.
Recommended Classical Tenor Mouthpieces:
Most classical tenor mouthpieces are going to be made from hard rubber. The notable exception is the Selmer Classical Metal mouthpiece. Through the years I have played with a variety of classical tenor pieces including most of the mouthpieces on the list below. I found that the Morgan 3C may be one of the best classical mouthpieces on the market today. The tone is full and easy to control and the craftsmanship is top notch. I have also spent a lot of time playing a Morgan 5L over the years. The 5L has a bit more edge than the 3C but still performs wonderfully in a classical ensemble. These days I play on a modified Otto Link hard rubber 7* that I am able to play in both classical ensembles and jazz groups. This is probably not the best choice of tip openings for a young player. I would tend to recommend a 5* Otto Link Hard Rubber or a Morgan 5L since it will be easier on their chops.
The Eugene Rousseau pieces have a typical French classical vibe to them.
Morgan 3C
Morgan 5L
Selmer Larry Teal
Selmer Classical Metal
Eugene Rousseau R4 or R5
Eugene Rousseau NC4 or NC5
Otto Link Hard Rubber 5*
As mentioned above, I believe that the L series from Morgan and the hard rubber Otto Links are versatile pieces that can be played in either a classical or jazz setting. You will find that the finishing on the Morgan pieces far exceeds what you will find on any typical production piece but be prepared for a significant difference in prices. In my opinion there's a noticeable difference.
Some of the mouthpieces below can be easily played in a concert band situation. The Morgan L, EL's, Vandoren V16 Hard Rubber, Bari Hard Rubber, and the Runyon SR can all be played in either setting.
The Morgan EL's have the shape of a metal mouthpiece but are made from hard rubber. To my ears they have the vibe of one of the all time classic mouthpieces - the Otto Link Super Tone Master's that were made in Florida. These are commonly referred to as "Florida Links" and haven't been made since the late 1960's.
The Vandoren Java pieces are strictly jazz pieces in my opinion. These pieces have a more piercing tone and tend to have a bit more projection and edge than you can normally get away with in a classical ensemble or concert band setting. The Vandoren V16 hard rubber pieces came out in the last year and are in the spirit of the classic Otto Link hard rubber pieces which are commonly referred to as "Slant Links" due to the fact that the Otto Link name is embossed at an angle on the mouthpiece. These can be very nice pieces. The Bari Hard Rubber 100 tip piece could be played by an advanced player in just about any setting but the younger player may have difficulty adjusting to the large tip opening. The Jody Jazz HR* pieces are yet another Otto Link inspired piece made from high quality German hard rubber. These pieces are very well thought out and generally are top notch players. Finally we have the Runyon SR. The SR has a slimmer body and has a tone that would probably considered to be more west coast cool than anything else. They're difficult to describe since they're not in the vein of any other piece. Well worth a try though.
Recommended Jazz (and sometimes classical) Mouthpieces (hard rubber)
Morgan 5L, 6L, 7L
Morgan 6EL, 7EL
Otto Link hard rubber 6, 6*, 7
Vandoren Java T45, T55, T75
Vandoren V16 Hard Rubber
Bari Hard Rubber 100 tip
Jody Jazz HR*
Runyon SR
With rare exceptions (the Selmer Classical Metal being the only real example) most band directors will frown on their students playing metal pieces in a classical setting. Most people consider metal mouthpieces to be made for jazz only.
Their are two different metal pieces available from Otto Link that are worthwhile jazz pieces. They are the Otto Link Super Tone Master and the Otto Link Super Tone Master NY. Personally, I prefer the NY model as I find that the tone is more smooth and full. Some players prefer the more traditional STM sound which has a bit more bite and edge to it. Either mouthpiece represents a pretty safe choice. The Vandoren V16 metal pieces are more edgy and project more than the Otto Link metal pieces. A number of well known players use them and they're quite popular. Finally we have the most expensive pieces on the list. The Jody Jazz DV and Jody Jazz DV NY. These pieces have a rather unique design and provide a wonderful tone that I liken to that of the great vintage Metal Otto Links.
Recommended Jazz Mouthpieces (metal)
Otto Link NY 5*, 6, 6*, 7
Otto Link Super Tone Master 5*, 6, 6*, 7
Vandoren V16 T55, T75
Jody Jazz DV
Jody Jazz DV NY
As with any purchase, I always recommend that people take the time to play as many pieces as possible to see what plays best for them. Everyone has an idea of what they want to sound like and their equipment should "get out of the way" and let them create that sound. This list is by no means inclusive of all of the mouthpieces on the market today but represent some easy to find choices that have established reputations.