Saxophone Mouthpiece Breakdown
SOME OF THE QUESTIONS ANSWERED BELOW
Choosing a Saxophone Mouthpiece
A huge part of the overall success of a saxophone player, the correct saxophone mouthpiece is a choice made purely out of personal preference. Designed to allow musicians to play different genres, it's crucial to understand how each mouthpiece is crafted to maximize your sound. To start, you'll want to look at the two main styles:
Program notes and staging suggestions are included in this marvelously descriptive work. A free downloadable interdisciplinary curriculum for teaching Alligator Alley. Alligator Alley celebrates this noble beast that has remained largely unchanged from prehistoric times. The first theme (Alligator's. Program notes and staging. A portion of Alligator Alley is open to traffic following an overnight closure because of low visibility. Alligator Alley sheet music. Program notes and staging suggestions are included in this marvelously descriptive work. Buy Alligator Alley by Michael Daugherty at jwpepper.com. This item was performed on a CBDNA member program. April 25, 2015 Concert. In the Alley (1896) The Children's Hour. The first theme (“Alligator's Theme”) features the woodwinds (predominantly bassoons) while the second theme (“Hunter's Theme”) is performed by the brass. Program notes and staging suggestions are included in this marvelously descriptive work.
Concert Band Saxophone Mouthpieces
Fashioned with a medium length facing curve and a medium-to-medium close tip opening, saxophonists often use a harder reed to focus their sound when using these mouthpieces. Typically made of ebonite, popular mouthpieces include the Selmer Paris S80 and S90 Series, E. Rousseau Classic and New Classic Series, and the Vandoren Optimum Series.
Jazz Band Saxophone Mouthpieces
Most often made of ebonite or metal, jazz band mouthpieces have a big tip opening, high baffle and a large chamber that offers better flexibility and a fatter tone. This style demands greater control from the musicians that are playing though, with greater emphasis placed on the embouchure and air. If you're a student looking to break into the jazz scene, it's usually best to find a mouthpiece that has a jazz sound but is more designed like a concert band mouthpiece.
Materials
For sax mouthpieces the common rule is that softer materials produce a darker sound with less projection, while harder materials just the opposite (brighter and more projection). From plastics to metal though, you have a wide range of options to choose from, allowing you to truly customize your sound.
Plastic Saxophone Mouthpieces
Most common for students, plastic mouthpieces are extremely durable and quite affordable. The only real compromise is the bright sound that can be challenging to focus.
Ebonite (Hard Rubber) Saxophone Mouthpieces
Warmer and more focused than plastic, ebonite is often used by classical and jazz musicians who don't need to worry about edge or projection.
Crystal Saxophone Mouthpieces
Preferred mainly by jazz and outdoor musicians, crystal has a strong projection and an equally bright sound. Quite fragile though, a soft, dependable pouch is definitely recommended when not in use.
Wood Saxophone Mouthpieces
Though not the most widely used choice, wood offers the warmest tone of all the materials listed here. If does produce less projection as a tradeoff, and can also be less stable than rubber or plastic.
Metal-Plated Brass Saxophone Mouthpieces
If you are leaning towards metal, most are made from plated-brass. Used in a variety of styles, the most common is gold-plating but you'll also find a mix of others that vary in tone as well.
Metal-Stainless Steel Saxophone Mouthpieces
Of all the metal mouthpieces, stainless steel has the brightest sound and the most projection.
Facing & Tip
The facing is where the mouthpiece meets the reed, and directly correlates to the opening of the tip. As a rule of thumb, the longer the facing, the smaller the tip (and the reverse for a shorter facing), which dictates a number of other factors including reed strength, focus of sound and timbre, projection and the degree of 'free-blowing'. For quick reference, see the chart below:
Facing | Resistance | Reeds | |
Open Tip | Short | High | Soft |
Medium Tip | Medium | Medium | Medium |
Close Tip | Long | Low | Hard |
What is a Baffle?
Simply put, the baffle is the part of the mouth piece on the opposite of the window and it dictates the 'edge' or 'bite' the mouthpiece displays. It's also important to note that the higher the baffle is on the mouthpiece, the brighter the sound and the more projection it will produce, while the lower the baffle, the more warm and mellow the sound will be.
Buy Saxophone Mouthpieces at Woodwind & Brasswind
Remember, when selecting a saxophone mouthpiece you should always consider the musician's skill level, age and planned use. If you're a student, a great place to start is by speaking with your music teacher, band teacher, or Woodwind & Brasswind's expert Staff Advisors.
In the end, no matter which saxophone mouthpiece you decide on, if it's with Woodwind & Brasswind you'll have complete piece of mind. Woodwind & Brasswind's 100% Satisfaction Guarantee means you have 45 days to be sure it's right for you. If it's not, just return it for a full refund.* And you don't need to worry about paying too much. The 45-Day Lowest Price Guarantee means that if you find the same saxophone mouthpiece advertised for less elsewhere, we'll make up the difference. When you buy from Woodwind & Brasswind, you can buy with complete confidence.
Alligator Alley Florida Parks
* All returned mouthpieces are assessed a $4.00 sterilization fee.
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Michael Daugherty
General Info
Year: 2003
Duration: 4:20
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher:BandQuest
Cost: Score and Parts - $50.00 | Score Only - $10.00
Duration: 4:20
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher:BandQuest
Cost: Score and Parts - $50.00 | Score Only - $10.00
Instrumentation
Full Score
Flute I-II
Oboes I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
Bb Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
Bb Bass Clarinet
Soprano Saxophone
Alto Saxophone I-II
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Horns in F I-II-III-IV
Trumpet in Bb I-II-IV
Horns in F I-II
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass (Optional)
Timpani
Percussion (6 players), including:
Flute I-II
Oboes I-II
English Horn
Bassoon I-II
Bb Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
Bb Bass Clarinet
Soprano Saxophone
Alto Saxophone I-II
Tenor Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Horns in F I-II-III-IV
Trumpet in Bb I-II-IV
Horns in F I-II
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass (Optional)
Timpani
Percussion (6 players), including:
- Bass Drum
- Bongos
- Crash Cymbals
- Maracas
- Tambourine (2)
- Triangle (2)
- Vibrahone (optional)
- Whip
- Woodblock
- Xylophone (optional)
From the Introduction. Bible study on revelation pdf.
Errata
The following errors are in the PARTS:
- Clarinet III, m.57, note on beat 2 should be written A natural. Score is correct.
- Trumpet I, m.64, first three notes should be F natural, final three notes should be E natural. Score is correct.
- All, except Timpani, Percussion 1 and percussion 2, add crescendo from beat one of measure 164 through beat one of measure 165. Score is correct.
Program Notes
Alligator Alley is the nickname for the east-west stretch of Interstate 75 between Naples and Fort Lauderdale that crosses through the Florida Everglades National Park. This park is home to many endangered species, one of them being the American alligator. One might see an alligator along the roadside when driving along this stretch of road.
Michael Daugherty invokes two themes in this piece: the first called the “alligator’s theme” is played at the beginning with bassoons and evokes the slithering nature of the alligator; the second is called the “hunter’s theme” which is performed by the brass and includes sounds of an alligator snapping its jaws with the two pieces of wood struck together.
Program Note by Michael Daugherty
Commercial Discography
None discovered thus far.
Audio Links
- Audio:Reference recording. Ensemble and conductor unknown
State Ratings
- Georgia: IV
- Louisiana: III
- Massachusetts: II
- Michigan: Senior High B
- Texas: III. Complete
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Grand Street Campus Wind Ensemble (New York) (Jeff W. Ball, conductor) – 15 April 2019
- University of Iowa (Iowa City) University Band (Joshua Neuenschwander, conductor) - 1 April 2019
- San Luis Obispo County (Calif.) High School Honor Band (Jennifer Martin, conductor) – 13 February 2019
- University of California, Los Angeles, Symphonic Band (Tyler Farrell, conductor) – 7 December 2018
- Kent State (Ohio) Symphony Band (John Franklin, conductor) – 7 December 2018
- Shenandoah Conservatory (Winchester, Va.) Concert Band (Keith Taylor, conductor) – 13 November 2018
- West Virginia University (Morgantown) Symphonic Band (Jay Drury, conductor) – 13 November 2018
- Denham Springs High School (Baton Rouge, La.) Concert Band (Carlye Latas, conductor) - 3 May 2018
- University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) Maroon Campus Band (Cassandra Bechard, conductor) – 30 April 2018
- Granite Ridge Intermediate School (Fresno, Calif.) Symphonic Band (Jose Vargas, conductor) - 13 April 2018 (2018 San Joaquin Valley (Calif.) Concert Band Invitational)
- University of North Carolina, Greensboro, University Band (Pamela L. Klena, conductor) – 27 February 2018
- University of Florida (Gainesville) Concert Band (Archie G. Birkner IV, conductor) – 26 February 2018
- University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) Summer Band (Jason Gardner, conductor) - 27 July 2017
- Cuesta Wind Ensemble (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) (Jennifer Martin, conductor) – 25 March 2017
- Potsdam (New York) Community Band (Theresa Witmer, conductor) – 17 January 2016
- Cuesta Wind Ensemble (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) (Jennifer Martin, conductor) - 15 May 2015
- Golden Valley High School (Merced, Calif.) Symphonic Band (Michael A. Vasquez, conductor) - 20 March 2015 (2015 Sutherland Wind Festival (Fresno, Calif.)
- Austin Symphonic Band (Richard Floyd, conductor) - 21 April 2012
Works for Winds by this Composer
- Asclepius (2007)
- Alligator Alley (2003)
- Bells for Stokowski (2002)
- Bizarro (1993)
- Brooklyn Bridge (2005)
- Dead Elvis (1999)
- Desi (1991)
- Labyrinth of Love (2012)
- Ladder to the Moon (2005)
- Lost Vegas (2011)
- Motown Metal (1994)
- Niagara Falls (1997)
- Of War and Peace (2017)
- On the Air (2012)
- Raise the Roof (2007)
- Red Cape Tango (tr. Spede) (1993/1999)
- Reflections on the Mississippi for Tuba and Band (2013)
- Rio Grande (2015)
- Rosa Parks Boulevard (2001)
- Songs from a Silent Land (2019)
- UFO (2000)
- Vulcan (2014)
- Winter Dreams (2015)
Resources
- Daugherty, M. (2003). Alligator Alley [score]. BandQuest, distributed exclusively by Hal Leonard: Milwaukee, Wisc.
- Lourens, Alan. 'Alligator Alley. MBM Times, Issue 6 (2012), 57.
- McCutchan, Ann. (1999). The muse that sings: composers speak about the creative process. New York: Oxford University Press.
- Scott, Judson. (2003). 'Michael Daugherty' from A Composer's Insight, Volume One.' Galesville, MD: Meredith Music.
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