People here that mainly want to hear the Syos Smoky mouthpiece head over to 6:12 for the first thoughts and 13:15 for a funky jazz test. Paul Desmond fans here, watch the whole damn thing! 😉 Anyways, accidently cut of the first words "Hi Guys..." (you actually here the "sss" as the first sound in this video), but after two days of recording, editing and going towards midnight, I decided it's ok. I see and hear even more editing glitches, but hey, I'm not a perfectionis. It's alright. I conveyed the message I wanted to :) By the way, let me know which of the two mouthpiece you prefered in the A/B testing on the Paul Desmond transcription, I'll post probably a full version with sheet music added later next week. You can decide if it will be the white or the grey one! Thanks for watching! /Jorre
Its a replica made based on the original Desmond used to play indeed. But imo the Morgan Dry Martini mouthpiece is a better attempt with the same conceot, I'm using that one now. You can also find a review on that one from a couple months ago on thus channel. The grey one in this video I do use quite occasionaly, it has a great vintage sound. /Jorre
Thanks for the collab, really had super much fun playing both, especially the grey one! Warm sounding though very projecting, that's not some easy combination to find 🙌🎷
Nice that they provided you with the Desmond replica. Wonder if Syos will now offer the close replica to Paul Desmonds M.C. Gregory since they have the pattern or will that be a custom order? Also, could you do the reed pop test since I heard rumors the material they use tends to be a bit course and porous?
I really loved your tone in the smooth jazz section where smoky did not sound smokey at all! It was very nice that you used a "dark" mouthpiece to play in a context where a "bright" mouthpiece would be more appropriate, as they say. And yet, you created a very nice, bright smooth jazz sound. Also, the replica was closer to "the Desmond sound", however I prefer the smoky which was more punchy! Once again, a great video!
Thanks John! Great to hear your thoughts! Initially I wouldn't have tried something funky/smooth with it, but it was the coincidence that my pal from back in the day, Dalhyun Lee, had send me that great little funky tune. It's good to come out of the comfortzone now and then, and using the smoky on that tune felt strange for three takes, and after it became super fun
I’m split between the smoky and spark mouthpieces right now, but I think hearing the smoky in an environment that the spark would play in really helped. Shows that the smoky can be more versatile. Great video!
Hey thanks, great to hear it could provide some value! To be honest, I've played mainly (and many) bright mouthpieces, I've played the Spark as well of screen (nowhere in a video) and that didn't work out for me. For the brighter mouthpieces it seems that the material does help, so real metal mouthpiece works better imo for that goal. But I do really like that Smoky of mine, and you can use it perfectly for funky groovy music.
honestly you pretty put words to everything I heard. I think I'll end up trying both. i like them both and, for me, comparing them doesn't put one above the other. they're both slightly different but sound great. us desmond lovers have been waiting too long for some mouthpieces.
Cool! Sure, I'd really love to see you try both of them yourself. The feeling of that Desmond piece is really different to what you'd expect. It's the most 'classical' playing mouthpiece I've ever tried
I really enjoyed listening to your mouthpiece ideas and your playing on all styles of jazz that you played here. Because you asked: I think I prefer the “smoky” SYOS when you’re going for Desmond’s sound. I can sense the delicacy required (to not overblow). You control it beautifully! So smooth! I wonder what happens to your sound when the jaw does not move back and forth. I see some players move; others, don’t. But they all seem to be able to glissando/scoop etc. I never learned this technique and can’t figure it out. Is it the jaw movement just an artifact of something else going on on the upper-back palette? Or is the movement of the jaw (forward and back) the goal? (I notice Desmond moves his, too.) If I were going to start playing seriously again, I would take your advice and go with SYOS for its 30-day trial period also. I’m classically-trained and have always loved the Getz & Desmond sounds but have never played on a jazz mouthpiece. I have Selmer SA-80 alto with a Selmer E mouthpiece but haven’t played seriously for many years. All the best to you.
Hey, thanks for your comment! To answer the question about moving the jaw: it's definitely only the lower lip that moves a bit, and it is to provide more or less pressure mostly either more on the front of the reed (with lower pressure) or a bit more to the heart of the reed (slightly more pressure). 1. it is very subly needed to support the individual note, the higher you get on the horn the more pressure you need for optimal sound and vice verse. 2. It gives you a lot of headroom in sound, the loose/more to the front placing will give you the so-called "sub-tone", the warm and fuzzy sound. Some players play like this most of the time, but it responds best in the lower register. The bright players (like Sanborn), you will see usually play more to the heart of the reed, with more pressure. Surely check that Syos out, I really dig it still! I even used it for a Charlie Parker cover for 5-part sax section, as I felt it suited that old school sound. You can check what I mean here: czcams.com/video/XAIwBpKZFk0/video.html They are very flexible in their trial period, it's perfect to check out the mouthpeice without strings attached. You can send them and mention this video, they would be able to provide you exactly what I'm playing here, but also surely mention from which mouthpiece you're coming. You probably want to try a bit larger tip opening, as you have now a really small one, which is common with classical pieces. Yoy'll also need to adapt to get your embouchure a bit more relaxed and the lip a bit more out for an optimal jazz sound. The SirvalorSax has a great video on that transition by the way. Keep me updated if you would get the Syos and how it would work out! Would love to know. All the best, /Jorre
Hey Sébastien! Oh, that's great to hear! Still in the early stages, had a bit of a set back because I didn't have spare time to write last couple of months, but now I'll proceed with it. A guestimate would be March 2022, I hope! It's a rather large project, and the more I dive in and do extra background reserach, I end up wanting to write more 😂. What would have been a 100 page book might become 400 pages at this rate. Anything you wonder about desmonds style that you would like to see covered? Still up for input to waht people would like to see covered, and which aspects the most in ratio. /Jorre
Hey guys, sorry for the late replu, I doublechecked with Syos. You can just contact them at contact@syos.co to get a copy of the white mouthpiece, just reference this video and the white Desmond Replica. I will continue to play the grey Custom made one, that one definitely fits me the best in comfort and opening. Also like that it has some extra air in the sound
Thanks a lot for this comparison - very inspiring, as all your work here. Please explain what you mean: "the other one is very close to what is now the Syos "Smoky" series. It is not the same what I can buy in Syos?
Hi Szymon, thanks! The grey one was a custom design made in May for my Desmond needs, I asked them if they could make something that would get me as close as possible to the Desmond sound, and that is that grey one you see. That's their own interpretation with today's standards. The white one is an exact copy of the actual Desmond piece. Meanwhile, since mauy, they released their "smoke" series, and they told me that that custom one is "really close to what is now the Smoky". I think they actually made this one for me, and while in the process, they decided to release it a full own new serie, with a few extra tweaks. But they are very responsive, if you have questions about how close those mouthpieces are (the custom grey one and the smoky) in comparison, just send them a message referring to this video. I'm sure they'll be able to give more info. /Jorre
Great sound on both mouthpieces. I think the the replica mimicked the Paul Desmond sound the best. You are a good player. I am a tenor player by choice but still play my alto in certain recording settings. Check out my playing on The Alan Williams Project with Pete Verbois (me) on “Just Sayin!” It’s on Spotify, iTunes and other streaming sites. Our lates album “Step On It!” Has is just releasing at the end of February. I am looking in to trying a Syos. I enjoyed your insightful video. Pete!
Wow, just the info I'm looking for, thanks! My greater challenge has been, how to approach that mellow sound while using Plasticover reeds? I have to use those as I switch hats a lot between my alto, flute, flugel, vocals, and congas on gigs. Currently been using a Syos Lorenzo Ferraro model and it seems to work pretty well but has no altissimo for me. Your take sir? thanks!
Hi Rob, I'm not familiar with the synthetic reeds I'm afraid, so can't comment on that. On the Syos Lorenzo mouthpiece, I dont know the specifics of that mouthpiece. But generally mpcs with a dark quality are harder in the altissimo while the brighter ones (with higher baffles etc) are much more comfortable up there. If you want a darker sounding mouthpiece you probably want to be looking to something rather in the middle and versatile. The Theo Wanne NY bros 2 comes to mind, but there are plenty Hope this helped a bit, all the best Jorre
@@SharpElevenMusic thanks a million man! By the way, Plasticovers are actually real cane reeds, just with a thin black coating. And for now, with an important gig in a few days coming up, I've decided on a new hard-rubber piece from "Better Sax," it's a very versatile model with #7 tip and pretty large chamber. I'm trying it with a Rovner "dark" ligature and that seems to help also.
Oh yes, these reeds like Marc Russo used to play, and probably still does. Played those a bit but over a decade ago. They are rather bright by themselves if I remember correctly. Cool you found a good balanced option with the Better Sax Burnin piece, I can see how that would balance out. Have fun with that
Jorre, have you tried the Aizen GR alto mouthpiece? It’s based on Desmond’s mouthpiece. I’ve heard someone play on the Aizen piece and it sounded fantastic!
No I haven't heard about that brand, thanks for mentioning! I'll definitely check it out! The thing with the original M.C. Gregory is that I hear from people that played it that it doesn't play that nicely. And with this replica I have a bit the same feeling, just too small to play and make sound. But surely enough, Desmond used that one to make of on of the most sweet and distinct Alto Sax sounds ever. Eager to find our what the Aizen GR piece would do for me. Because of playing several Desmond-friendly mouthpieces now, I am actually getting more accustomed to playing small tip openings. 😁
@@ChipTheMusicMan just checked it out, very nice! But also the player can really play, love the close micing effect too. It takes quite some of the air and ehm... spit (don't know how to refer tor i more subtly) in the sound. And I don't mean that badly in anyway, that's a big part of a jazz sound! Great he got that down, really invites to try that mouthpiece
@@SharpElevenMusic Nice - ya, you should totally try it out but maybe in a tip opening you’re more comfortable with. It may just be the golden ticket 🤩
I was very interested to know that SYOS has come up with a Desmond type mouthpiece which goes directly against their avowed principle of not producing replicas. The sound you produced did have a hint of the Desmond sound but not near enough of it. Even with the original mouthpiece used by Desmond no saxophonist dead or alive would be able to produce an exact Desmond sound as no known saxophonist uses or even knows just what a ‘Fake Embouchure ‘ is. This is the embouchure that Desmond is reported to have used.
Hi man, depends a bit on what you play bow. If you play around 2 years, my guess is that you play probably a general mouthpiece that came with the sax, these have generally very small tip openings. These mouthpieces however need to be played bit bigger for a full sound to exploit, but don't go to big. This gray one is a tipopening 7, which is the most medium size. Anything bigger will probably a struggle at this point, 7 could work. To be more sure, a 5 or 6 might perhaps be best suitable for you. (this is the advice applied for if you'd go for this gray custom Syos, tip openings choices could differ from different types of mouthpieces) But by all means, contact the people at Syos about this very question. If you provide your years of playing and the size/brand mouthpiece you're playing now, they are better placed to advice you and they do that very well. Hope this helps, have a ball playing! /Jorre
I've been able to get close to Desmond's dark sound with a Vandoren AL3 Optimum Mouthpiece, a classical piece with a pretty closed tip for that dark pure sound. I used it on this play along with Desmond. It works better to create the 'Dry Martini' sound than any mouthpiece I've tried. czcams.com/video/wKTOsYj3eu4/video.html
hahaha, jazeker, ik heb er pas een gekocht op marktplaats, Steve Kortyka model voor alt. Even fijn, maar na een dag of wat was die liefde ook weer over. @@SharpElevenMusic
People here that mainly want to hear the Syos Smoky mouthpiece head over to 6:12 for the first thoughts and 13:15 for a funky jazz test. Paul Desmond fans here, watch the whole damn thing! 😉
Anyways, accidently cut of the first words "Hi Guys..." (you actually here the "sss" as the first sound in this video), but after two days of recording, editing and going towards midnight, I decided it's ok. I see and hear even more editing glitches, but hey, I'm not a perfectionis. It's alright. I conveyed the message I wanted to :)
By the way, let me know which of the two mouthpiece you prefered in the A/B testing on the Paul Desmond transcription, I'll post probably a full version with sheet music added later next week. You can decide if it will be the white or the grey one!
Thanks for watching!
/Jorre
How many days for delivery in Brooklyn if I order Friday
Thank you for this interesting Review! I am not at all an expert in hearing - but the white could work well for Desmonds style?
Its a replica made based on the original Desmond used to play indeed. But imo the Morgan Dry Martini mouthpiece is a better attempt with the same conceot, I'm using that one now. You can also find a review on that one from a couple months ago on thus channel.
The grey one in this video I do use quite occasionaly, it has a great vintage sound.
/Jorre
Thank you for this in-depth review, your playing was absolutely stellar. Glad you love the mouthpiece!
Thanks for the collab, really had super much fun playing both, especially the grey one! Warm sounding though very projecting, that's not some easy combination to find 🙌🎷
Nice that they provided you with the Desmond replica. Wonder if Syos will now offer the close replica to Paul Desmonds M.C. Gregory since they have the pattern or will that be a custom order? Also, could you do the reed pop test since I heard rumors the material they use tends to be a bit course and porous?
I really loved your tone in the smooth jazz section where smoky did not sound smokey at all! It was very nice that you used a "dark" mouthpiece to play in a context where a "bright" mouthpiece would be more appropriate, as they say. And yet, you created a very nice, bright smooth jazz sound. Also, the replica was closer to "the Desmond sound", however I prefer the smoky which was more punchy! Once again, a great video!
Thanks John! Great to hear your thoughts! Initially I wouldn't have tried something funky/smooth with it, but it was the coincidence that my pal from back in the day, Dalhyun Lee, had send me that great little funky tune. It's good to come out of the comfortzone now and then, and using the smoky on that tune felt strange for three takes, and after it became super fun
I’m split between the smoky and spark mouthpieces right now, but I think hearing the smoky in an environment that the spark would play in really helped. Shows that the smoky can be more versatile. Great video!
Hey thanks, great to hear it could provide some value! To be honest, I've played mainly (and many) bright mouthpieces, I've played the Spark as well of screen (nowhere in a video) and that didn't work out for me. For the brighter mouthpieces it seems that the material does help, so real metal mouthpiece works better imo for that goal.
But I do really like that Smoky of mine, and you can use it perfectly for funky groovy music.
honestly you pretty put words to everything I heard. I think I'll end up trying both. i like them both and, for me, comparing them doesn't put one above the other. they're both slightly different but sound great. us desmond lovers have been waiting too long for some mouthpieces.
Cool! Sure, I'd really love to see you try both of them yourself. The feeling of that Desmond piece is really different to what you'd expect. It's the most 'classical' playing mouthpiece I've ever tried
SYOS is a great company! I have been with them from the beginning.
what is the melody played at 2:35?
Take five
Hey, great review! Would you recommend a Meyer or a Syos smoky?🤔 Thnks!
I really enjoyed listening to your mouthpiece ideas and your playing on all styles of jazz that you played here. Because you asked: I think I prefer the “smoky” SYOS when you’re going for Desmond’s sound. I can sense the delicacy required (to not overblow). You control it beautifully! So smooth!
I wonder what happens to your sound when the jaw does not move back and forth. I see some players move; others, don’t. But they all seem to be able to glissando/scoop etc. I never learned this technique and can’t figure it out.
Is it the jaw movement just an artifact of something else going on on the upper-back palette? Or is the movement of the jaw (forward and back) the goal? (I notice Desmond moves his, too.)
If I were going to start playing seriously again, I would take your advice and go with SYOS for its 30-day trial period also. I’m classically-trained and have always loved the Getz & Desmond sounds but have never played on a jazz mouthpiece. I have Selmer SA-80 alto with a Selmer E mouthpiece but haven’t played seriously for many years. All the best to you.
Hey, thanks for your comment!
To answer the question about moving the jaw: it's definitely only the lower lip that moves a bit, and it is to provide more or less pressure mostly either more on the front of the reed (with lower pressure) or a bit more to the heart of the reed (slightly more pressure). 1. it is very subly needed to support the individual note, the higher you get on the horn the more pressure you need for optimal sound and vice verse. 2. It gives you a lot of headroom in sound, the loose/more to the front placing will give you the so-called "sub-tone", the warm and fuzzy sound. Some players play like this most of the time, but it responds best in the lower register. The bright players (like Sanborn), you will see usually play more to the heart of the reed, with more pressure.
Surely check that Syos out, I really dig it still! I even used it for a Charlie Parker cover for 5-part sax section, as I felt it suited that old school sound. You can check what I mean here: czcams.com/video/XAIwBpKZFk0/video.html
They are very flexible in their trial period, it's perfect to check out the mouthpeice without strings attached. You can send them and mention this video, they would be able to provide you exactly what I'm playing here, but also surely mention from which mouthpiece you're coming. You probably want to try a bit larger tip opening, as you have now a really small one, which is common with classical pieces. Yoy'll also need to adapt to get your embouchure a bit more relaxed and the lip a bit more out for an optimal jazz sound. The SirvalorSax has a great video on that transition by the way.
Keep me updated if you would get the Syos and how it would work out! Would love to know.
All the best,
/Jorre
Hello ! I am really looking forward to reading your book on Paul Desmond. When do you think it will be available?
Hey Sébastien! Oh, that's great to hear! Still in the early stages, had a bit of a set back because I didn't have spare time to write last couple of months, but now I'll proceed with it. A guestimate would be March 2022, I hope! It's a rather large project, and the more I dive in and do extra background reserach, I end up wanting to write more 😂. What would have been a 100 page book might become 400 pages at this rate.
Anything you wonder about desmonds style that you would like to see covered? Still up for input to waht people would like to see covered, and which aspects the most in ratio.
/Jorre
I don’t fond the mc gregor replica on syos… white i can buy it? And witch replica of desmond mouthpiece do you prefer ?
i too would like to know
Hey guys, sorry for the late replu, I doublechecked with Syos. You can just contact them at contact@syos.co to get a copy of the white mouthpiece, just reference this video and the white Desmond Replica.
I will continue to play the grey Custom made one, that one definitely fits me the best in comfort and opening. Also like that it has some extra air in the sound
Thanks a lot for this comparison - very inspiring, as all your work here. Please explain what you mean: "the other one is very close to what is now the Syos "Smoky" series. It is not the same what I can buy in Syos?
Hi Szymon, thanks! The grey one was a custom design made in May for my Desmond needs, I asked them if they could make something that would get me as close as possible to the Desmond sound, and that is that grey one you see. That's their own interpretation with today's standards. The white one is an exact copy of the actual Desmond piece.
Meanwhile, since mauy, they released their "smoke" series, and they told me that that custom one is "really close to what is now the Smoky". I think they actually made this one for me, and while in the process, they decided to release it a full own new serie, with a few extra tweaks.
But they are very responsive, if you have questions about how close those mouthpieces are (the custom grey one and the smoky) in comparison, just send them a message referring to this video. I'm sure they'll be able to give more info.
/Jorre
I would be interested in your thoughts on the Morgan dry martini if and when you get one from Teresa to try.
Absolutely super excited about that one as well! It seems that other people have some great results with it
Great sound on both mouthpieces. I think the the replica mimicked the Paul Desmond sound the best. You are a good player. I am a tenor player by choice but still play my alto in certain recording settings. Check out my playing on The Alan Williams Project with Pete Verbois (me) on “Just Sayin!” It’s on Spotify, iTunes and other streaming sites. Our lates album “Step On It!” Has is just releasing at the end of February. I am looking in to trying a Syos. I enjoyed your insightful video. Pete!
Wow, just the info I'm looking for, thanks! My greater challenge has been, how to approach that mellow sound while using Plasticover reeds? I have to use those as I switch hats a lot between my alto, flute, flugel, vocals, and congas on gigs. Currently been using a Syos Lorenzo Ferraro model and it seems to work pretty well but has no altissimo for me. Your take sir? thanks!
Hi Rob, I'm not familiar with the synthetic reeds I'm afraid, so can't comment on that.
On the Syos Lorenzo mouthpiece, I dont know the specifics of that mouthpiece. But generally mpcs with a dark quality are harder in the altissimo while the brighter ones (with higher baffles etc) are much more comfortable up there.
If you want a darker sounding mouthpiece you probably want to be looking to something rather in the middle and versatile. The Theo Wanne NY bros 2 comes to mind, but there are plenty
Hope this helped a bit, all the best
Jorre
@@SharpElevenMusic thanks a million man! By the way, Plasticovers are actually real cane reeds, just with a thin black coating. And for now, with an important gig in a few days coming up, I've decided on a new hard-rubber piece from "Better Sax," it's a very versatile model with #7 tip and pretty large chamber. I'm trying it with a Rovner "dark" ligature and that seems to help also.
Oh yes, these reeds like Marc Russo used to play, and probably still does. Played those a bit but over a decade ago. They are rather bright by themselves if I remember correctly.
Cool you found a good balanced option with the Better Sax Burnin piece, I can see how that would balance out. Have fun with that
@@SharpElevenMusic and thank you for sharing info about all this, I always appreciate great expert advice!
Jorre, have you tried the Aizen GR alto mouthpiece? It’s based on Desmond’s mouthpiece. I’ve heard someone play on the Aizen piece and it sounded fantastic!
Here’s the recording I mentioned with the Aizen GR mouthpiece - czcams.com/video/4TdZ-FjggS0/video.html
No I haven't heard about that brand, thanks for mentioning! I'll definitely check it out!
The thing with the original M.C. Gregory is that I hear from people that played it that it doesn't play that nicely. And with this replica I have a bit the same feeling, just too small to play and make sound. But surely enough, Desmond used that one to make of on of the most sweet and distinct Alto Sax sounds ever.
Eager to find our what the Aizen GR piece would do for me. Because of playing several Desmond-friendly mouthpieces now, I am actually getting more accustomed to playing small tip openings. 😁
@@ChipTheMusicMan just checked it out, very nice! But also the player can really play, love the close micing effect too. It takes quite some of the air and ehm... spit (don't know how to refer tor i more subtly) in the sound. And I don't mean that badly in anyway, that's a big part of a jazz sound! Great he got that down, really invites to try that mouthpiece
@@SharpElevenMusic Nice - ya, you should totally try it out but maybe in a tip opening you’re more comfortable with. It may just be the golden ticket 🤩
Aizen are a GREAT mouthpiece!!!!!!!!!!!
I was very interested to know that SYOS has come up with a Desmond type mouthpiece which goes directly against their avowed principle of not producing replicas. The sound you produced did have a hint of the Desmond sound but not near enough of it.
Even with the original mouthpiece used by Desmond no saxophonist dead or alive would be able to produce an exact Desmond sound as no known saxophonist uses or even knows just what a ‘Fake Embouchure ‘ is. This is the embouchure that Desmond is reported to have used.
Meyer G or D”adario jazz select pretty close
What tip opening do you recommend for a person like me, who has played for almost 2 years
Hi man, depends a bit on what you play bow. If you play around 2 years, my guess is that you play probably a general mouthpiece that came with the sax, these have generally very small tip openings.
These mouthpieces however need to be played bit bigger for a full sound to exploit, but don't go to big. This gray one is a tipopening 7, which is the most medium size. Anything bigger will probably a struggle at this point, 7 could work. To be more sure, a 5 or 6 might perhaps be best suitable for you. (this is the advice applied for if you'd go for this gray custom Syos, tip openings choices could differ from different types of mouthpieces)
But by all means, contact the people at Syos about this very question. If you provide your years of playing and the size/brand mouthpiece you're playing now, they are better placed to advice you and they do that very well.
Hope this helps, have a ball playing!
/Jorre
@@SharpElevenMusic thank you for this advice, I bought a 5 and im testing it out. Thank you
what saxophone do you use?
That's a Selmer Mark VI alto :) kinda looks good for a horn from 1969
@@SharpElevenMusic looks nice indeed
Smoky klinkt zooo zalig! ❤
Thanks man, is een leuke om te spelen.
I've been able to get close to Desmond's dark sound with a Vandoren AL3 Optimum Mouthpiece, a classical piece with a pretty closed tip for that dark pure sound. I used it on this play along with Desmond. It works better to create the 'Dry Martini' sound than any mouthpiece I've tried.
czcams.com/video/wKTOsYj3eu4/video.html
Did not like the sound of either one. I don't hear that Desmond sound in either.
but, if feels like a toothbrush ...
Hahaha Joris 😂 heb je ooit op eentje gespeeld? Speelt best goed, maar voelt (en zelfs dat materiaal proeft) wat raar
hahaha, jazeker, ik heb er pas een gekocht op marktplaats, Steve Kortyka model voor alt. Even fijn, maar na een dag of wat was die liefde ook weer over. @@SharpElevenMusic
Replica!