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HOME > Saxophone blog

Saxophone blog

Mouthpiece for vintage baritones

February 26, 2024 by Pete
Slant Signature baritone saxophone mouthpiece

The true story behind (probably) the best baritone mouthpiece in the world.

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Do you need a huge chamber mouthpiece on vintage horns?

February 16, 2024February 15, 2024 by Pete
Toots Mondello baritone mouthpiece

Maybe it’s a myth that vintage saxophones must have vintage “pickle barrel” mouthpieces in order to play in tune. We take a cautious look at the science involved. Then throw caution to the wind (pun intended).

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Why you should bite when playing the saxophone (caution: rant)

February 11, 2024December 19, 2023 by Pete
Lion biting

I often hear people say you shouldn’t bite. I see this quite a bit on the forums, e.g. when a beginner complains of jaw pain they are told to stop biting. If they have a problem with high notes, “stop biting.” If they are getting a lot of squeaks, “DON’T BITE!”

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Bright or dark sound

December 20, 2023December 18, 2023 by Pete
Bright Or Dark

How do we define those words There seems to be a lot of confusion about how we describe sound. It seems many people these days want what they call a dark sound, but when I delve deeper into what they mean, I realise it may not be the same as what I call a dark sound. Dark or Bright?

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Progressing to softer reeds

September 10, 2025November 22, 2023 by Pete

There still seems to be a belief that you are supposed to play harder reeds as you progress. After at least 30 years of professional playing including a lot of practicing, I use 2 or 2.25 reeds mostly. The hard reed myth

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