Woodwind Mouthpieces

A saxophone and clarinet mouthpiece consists of the following components:

• The Tip Opening - The gap between the tip of the mouthpiece and the tip of the reed. This is the area where the reed vibrates and creates the sound waves. Generally a wider Tip Opening requires a softer reed, but can give a more colourful or fuller sound.

• The Table - The flat part where the reed is attached from the edge of the mouthpiece to where the Side Rails, Curve and Windway begin.

• The Facing - The entire flat length including the Table and Side Rails.

• The Windway - The open portion under the reed where the air and sound waves flows through.

• The Side Rails and Curve - The outer edges of the Windway that curve from the Table to the Tip Opening. The size of the contour is important to the playing characteristics of the mouthpiece.

• The Tip Rail - The flat portion where the tip of the reed meets the mouthpiece. This thickness helps determine the articulation response of the mouthpiece.

• The Baffle - The area inside the mouthpiece just behind the Tip Rail. It can be a variety of shapes and sizes and determines the response and brightness or darkness of tone.

• The Chamber - The inner portion of the mouthpiece from the Tip to the Throat. This defines the sound quality and colour.

• The Throat - The place where the chamber meets the inner bore of the instrument. It can be round, half round or square. The size and shape of the throat affects the tone quality as our throats produce different vocal qualities.

Elstub Metal Mouthpieces for Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones & Clarinet. Let us know what style you like to play and your preferred tip opening and we will have one made for you for only $180 (introductory price).

Ultimately it is the player, not the mouthpiece, that produces the tone and therefore any mouthpiece can be used for any occasion and any played either loudly or softly. We have thoroughly tested these mouthpieces with a variety of reed brands and sizes and have played a wide variety of musical styles from Bach through Ballads and Swing to Funk with each combination. With the right reed choice any style is possible on any mouthpiece, but certain mouthpieces make it easier to achieve the desired style than others. Please ask if you need advice in choosing.   

As a guide we have the following models for Alto Sax:

E-mail: info@elstub.com.au

The Following is a comparison chart for various brands of Saxophone (Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Baritone) and Clarinet Mouthpieces arranged by the size of the tip opening in thousandths of an inch.

Soprano Saxophone

Alto Saxophone

Tenor Saxophone

Baritone Saxophone

Soprano Clarinet