Wow!
Thanks so much for the comments and advice Julian; I really really appreciate you taking the time for me.
Just to sort of confirm what you're saying: I started out playing alto and doing just about everything wrong in the embouchure/tone-production department (eg using #3.5/4 reeds on an 8* Link HR); in particular, since switching to tenor I've been working very hard at getting rid of a very bad habit of biting that I developed on alto, precisely because my set- up was so ridiculous (and because I wasn't getting free advice from awesome pros like you
).
I could really be a poster boy for the idea that bad habits are hard to unlearn: now that I've figured some stuff out, I strive and strive to play with a nice relaxed embouchure while practicing, and sometimes I think I even sound half decent, but as soon I get on the bandstand I turn back into old clamp-jaws again!
I've got a couple of nice MPs I like to use, all of which are between .95 and .100, which I sort of think is the ideal (for me) tip opening for tenor? I'll usually use a 2.5 or a 3 "strength," depending on the reed type. I think I've become more sensitive to reed quality lately because I'm trying so hard in my practicing to be conscious of everything that's going on in my tone-production: the second I start to bite, I stop, regroup, and try to get back to relaxed embouchure+good air support.
I do have one smaller-tipped piece--a nice vintage Selmer LT. I bought this thinking it might be a good idea to practice with a smaller tip than I'm planning to play on, but I did some "research," and the common opinion seems to be: "practice what you're going to play."
Again,
Thanks Man!
Thanks so much for the comments and advice Julian; I really really appreciate you taking the time for me.
Just to sort of confirm what you're saying: I started out playing alto and doing just about everything wrong in the embouchure/tone-production department (eg using #3.5/4 reeds on an 8* Link HR); in particular, since switching to tenor I've been working very hard at getting rid of a very bad habit of biting that I developed on alto, precisely because my set- up was so ridiculous (and because I wasn't getting free advice from awesome pros like you
). I could really be a poster boy for the idea that bad habits are hard to unlearn: now that I've figured some stuff out, I strive and strive to play with a nice relaxed embouchure while practicing, and sometimes I think I even sound half decent, but as soon I get on the bandstand I turn back into old clamp-jaws again!
I've got a couple of nice MPs I like to use, all of which are between .95 and .100, which I sort of think is the ideal (for me) tip opening for tenor? I'll usually use a 2.5 or a 3 "strength," depending on the reed type. I think I've become more sensitive to reed quality lately because I'm trying so hard in my practicing to be conscious of everything that's going on in my tone-production: the second I start to bite, I stop, regroup, and try to get back to relaxed embouchure+good air support.
I do have one smaller-tipped piece--a nice vintage Selmer LT. I bought this thinking it might be a good idea to practice with a smaller tip than I'm planning to play on, but I did some "research," and the common opinion seems to be: "practice what you're going to play."
Again,
Thanks Man!