Yamaha 4C tenor sax mouthpiece review
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- čas přidán 25. 08. 2024
- What is the problem? Is it you or the mouthpiece? I try to answer this ever so important question in this video.
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So, that answers the big question - yep, I'm the problem.
Now, that's useful info. Thank you muchly, sir.
Thanks
I was saying the exact same thing, lmao
I am the problem in 2022 lol gettin better each day I suppose
it amazes me how so many ppl sware up and down you need the most expensive equipment to play / sound good.
* you need to buy a $1500 sax at MINIMUM ( or a really good used one )
* you need a $300 mouthpiece
* you need a fancy $100+ lig
* your reeds need to be the top dollar ones..
like jesus , i just wanna play in my game / office room alone. i dont need to impress anyone lol
i love these videos , cuz in the hands of a capable sax player. it proves you dont need the top dollar stuff. as long as its built well / maintained.
thanks for the video !
Wow I wasn’t expecting it to sound so good. It’s got a nice lush tone.
I wasn't either. I was really impressed with it.
More solid proof that it’s the magician and not the wand. Nice sound!
I bought a 4C when I first started playing but I got it new, not with the Yamaha ligature, but with a Rovner dark ligature and cap, which I played on for 8 months and it was very good and helped me progress in playing and improve and I found its a great mouthpiece, maybe the best beginner mouthpiece. Centered sound and freeblowing and produces a nice sound. I played on Legere signature reeds then, and upgraded when I could play on 2.75 strength reeds to a Selmer S80 C** and sold the 4C. I then got a Yamaha YAS-280 alto sax and it came with the 4C mouthpiece and ligature, but it had a plastic cap, not a metal one. Simon Bates the English professional saxophone player said he uses a Yamaha 4C on his Yamaha 875 Soprano as he liked it so much and didn't feel like he needed to upgrade to a different mouthpiece.
I might get the soprano 4c or 5c as well. Thanks for the info. I will look for Simon Bates on youtube.
@@Sirvalorsax If you get a chance, could you review the hard rubber version, the Yamaha Custom 4CM (or 5CM, 6CM) mouthpiece? I am curious how it compares to the standard plastic Yamaha mouthpieces
Thank you thank you thank you for these great "COMMON MAN" reviews. I am so grateful to have a pro like yourself review equipment for us up and coming saxophonist. For all the things we will run across on our journey.
✌🏿🙏🏿💯
Cool, I have more coming
I have played on a $300 alto sax with the mouthpiece which came with it for a few months. I then bought the Yamaha 4c and Rover Dark with Orange Box Rico 2.0...I immediately started sounding as if I had bought a brand new pro sax. Impressive! That tenor sax is banging!
NICE!!
O'jai Allen please please tell me you file your reeds, otherwise if you dont you should upgrade to rico royals, they made a huge difference for me.
Love this review! I think I recall seeing Dexter Gordon played a small tip opening as well. It will always come down to the ability of the player to manipulate the equipment given. Masterful tone and a well developed embouchure will win any day. Great playing as always.
Thanks
My main use for a 4C is doubling in studio sessions. If you double a part with a similar mouthpiece you can get 'beating' or phase issues. When I double a line on a 4C on tenor, Bari or alto it sits apart from the sound of my usual session mouthpieces (dukoffs and Lawtons).
I see what you mean. It has a nice price that allows for buying them across the saxes
@@Sirvalorsax Defo, and cheap as they are, they have their place.
You have made a nice tone throughout all the combinations.
You sir are a tremendous help, you may have no clue how much appreciated you are!!!👍👍👍 my ten-year-old grandson just started out on alto saxophone I gave him my yamaha 4C Alto mouthpiece, near mint condition Barely Used
My regular mouthpiece is a Selmer 80c*. I always have my Yamaha setup to play on my raggedy 40 year old Armstrong. Especially when I've had a couple of drinks. I just grab it off the stand and make a fool of myself. I think the Yamaha is excellent and easy to play. Great video.
Mine didn't come with the cap and ligature.
I have my 5C on the way so I'll let you know.
After thought:- In a Saxophone Journal interview with Jay Beckenstein from Spyro Gyra fame a number of years ago Jay played a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece on his Keilwerth soprano sax...
Did he? Wow, that says a lot for the quality of the world's most popular mouthpiece!
My favorite part was the berg teaser. I’ve heard a lot of good tones from various players when I growing up that played Yamaha mouthpieces. I agree that reeds are a big influence to sound. I was surprised to see you playing a 2.5 on that closed of a mouthpiece tip.
I had to get a different ligature before I could review the Berg. I have it now so it will be up soon.
Sirvalorsax rovner platinum works darn good for berg and other rovners do the job but some dislike them in general but the ligature that comes with bergs don’t always fit all reeds well
Sir, it's a monster! managed to get the Super Treble with a closed mouthpiece !!!!
I’m a Yamaha player myself.you should check out the Yamaha Custom mouthpieces ,that are a step up from the standard ,and 3x the price would be very interested on your findings with these, myself that’s all I use ,I have a Otto link for my alto ,the ligature is to my eyes is a design flaw ,that’s fails miserably on gripping the reed useless piece of s~~t .i use a 15$ one ☝️ I picked up at a music store no name on it and that’s fine and dandy .cheers🍻 .i enjoy 😊 your informative breakdown,with everything that makes up a mouthpiece .
My friend Lucas Ciesielski plays bari sax in a band called Big Blitz and he just switched off of the 5C mouthpiece this year. He really pushed that thing to it's limit though. Worth watching some of their stuff. His main problem with it was that it was impossible to project enough and keep certain notes in tune, but at his skill and with the shows he plays i think most people could go their whole lives on a 5C and never need to change. He got a free ride to the Dana school of music and was put in their top jazz ensemble using a 5C.
NICE!! I'm looking into the soprano mouthpiece next.
Awesome, haven't seen you play soprano yet, just found your channel while trying to research for a new mouthpiece. Still unsure if I need one. You got me off of the JJ Super Jet, had considered that for a min. My friend Mike has a signature Syos mpc I want to try out too. Idk if you've played any of those yet. Your videos have been a real help in searching to upgrade; practiced some of your alt fingering, palm key overtone stuff too.
Dude I truly believe if you could figure out how to attach a sax mouthpiece to a bowling ball and played that you would STILL sound awesome!
LOL!!
i use a 7c on my tenor...i get big lovely tones and use it to play bossas at resturaunts and lounges..lovely
You sound great! You're able to play through any leaks the horn has.
My Yamaha Alto 62 came with a 4c when I got it new in 1997. It’s not my typical style of sound but it’s a nice piece for classical and can play decently loud for jazz if pushed.
Thank you for this down-to-earth evaluation of the Yamaha 4C mouthpiece. I have quiet a few saxophones, most of them secondhand. The only new one is my Yamaha YTS-62 Tenor. I was intrigued by the Yamaha 4C because they all came with a 4C, from the soprano to my Tenor. Then I learned that it is a "student" option. That really put me back in my place for the fact that I had been relegated to "student" level ! However, joke aside, after more research, I am led to believe that the 4C is a "generic" option. It doesn't do anything particularly, but it won't disappoint either.
I think when Yamaha put its sax on the market, with a 4C mouthpiece as a freebee, it must know that it couldn't simply add a dodgy mouthpiece with each instrument. As we know the first thing a buyer of a new sax would be in a hurry to put it on and have a go on the new purchase. It wouldn't reflect well on Yamaha if the mouthpiece let down the entire sax. Mind you, Yamaha has always been regarded as quite a reliable brand.
I am still using my 4C. I am not good enough to know the difference between a 4C and the rest of the very expensive ones. I always believe that a player shouldn't blame his equipment for his lack of ability.
4C is narrower than the most of historic mouthpieces. It matches only vintage Selmer C. Otto Link New York 3* is wider than 4C, and Brilhart Ebolin 4 is also wider than 4C. So if your favourite old saxophonist played, say, Otto Link Florida 4*, that 4* Florida was wide as Yamaha 6C.
Yup it's very narrow which us why some people need a change. Of course pros can sound awesome on everything as they can compensate...
@@fabricebacquart That's a myth. No one can compensate that much. Because it's never one piece of equipment we are compensating for: 1. Compensate for the mouthpiece deficiency, 2. Compensate for the bad reed, 3. Compensate for an out-of-tune instrument, 4. Compensate for bad intonation, 5. Compensate for inherently bad sounding notes on the saxophone ... … and what that becomes? That's not saxophone playing, that's a joke. Compensation hurts in the long run, and playing becomes painful.
@@zvonimirtosic6171 Yes but my point was that (some) pros make it sound like poor material is alright. It's not.
How do you get such a fat tone and clear altissimo with a 4c and a 2.5 reed?? That's incredible!
I use a relaxed lip out embouchure
@@Sirvalorsax Thanks so much for replying. Just one more question if that's ok. Are you able to switch between say an 8* Link (which is my favourite mouthpiece) and a 4c Yamaha and immediately get it sounding so good? If I made that leap my tone and intonation would be all over the place :)
4 & 5 C's are just fine. I use them on play testers at work. I do use a 4C on my Curved Soprano (a Vito VSP) and it works just fine. I use a D'Addario Select Jazz 3M unfiled reed !
I think it comes with ligature and cap only if you buy the instrument. Otherwise ligature and mouthpiece are sold separately, I believe.
My 5C is on the way so I'll let you know
I have a 6c
Lovely sound as usual. Have you tried any of the Yamaha Customer mouthpieces? Thanks for what you are doing. God bless. Bill. UK
Yamaha 4C. Pluses // Good for learning all kinds of music styles and understanding the saxophone.
Drawbacks // small volume, not good for fast playing, not good for forte/fortissimo, can't push lots of air through and can't create subtones quickly enough.
However, is a good mouthpiece overall because it does not discourage a new player; it delivers immediate results. If used with a softer reed, it delivers a classical type of sound (has no baffle and the chamber is wide enough). Which is good to learn to play radio tunes, popular songs, evergreens, playing by ear, etc. For jazz, though, it can be used, but with a harder reed, no 4 and 5. 4C's very small tip opening stops the air stream needed for more complicated phrasing and sudden volume change needed in jazz, and the hard reed at least won't squeak and seal itself if pushed a bit harder.
I am using Vandoren 2.5 reeds in this video for this mouthpiece. For a tip opening this small, it played like it was more open.
Redbox reeds
@@Sirvalorsax I'm playing Yamaha 4C with Rico number 4 reeds. They are very hard reeds, and with harder reeds yes, it is possible to play 4C well. But still .. the tip is very narrow, and can't let in much air at once.
Zvonimir Tosic I’m wondering if you know what you are talking about. Did you watch the gentleman rip through some lightning fast runs with that Yamaha mouthpiece? Some of the greatest players ever played small tip openings.
@@vladimirlopez7840 4C is a very small tip opening for a tenor. It matches Selmer C, which is much smaller than regular 4 or 5 Link, which the most saxophone players had up to early 1950s. The whole idea with opening of the tip is to allow more support for the dynamics, to allow a flexible sound. That is why opening up tips on regular Links was the most asked for feature after the purchase.
Thank you for the review, I'm going to try mine to see if it's work well.
Have you tried the Theo Wanne mouthpiece? Otto link vs Theo Wanne?
I have four reviews on Theo Wanne pieces. A metal and a hard rubber Datta, the Shiva 2 and the Mantra. The are the most finely crafted mouthpieces I've ever seen
You should review the new Dickerson Resonator Ligature on Reverb & ebay - it's a game changer
great video!! thanks sir!!!
Thanks
Altissimo on a 4C. That's cold!
Smiley Face
Thanks for the video. You really showed what this mouthpiece is capable of with a nicely developed embouchure. By the way I’m so happy and excited today since I just received a new mouthpiece. I found a really good deal on modern vintage rubber otto link tone edge#7 new for $118 (Canadian). My only concern was that I thought it might be too open for me but for that price I figured that it worth the risk ...and OMG 😮 what a great sounding mouthpiece!! and to my extreme surprise it wasn’t too open for me at all specially when I pair it with Légère #2 reed. Beefy sound with right amount of buzz! I know sound a bit childish but I always wanted this mouthpiece since I’ve heard that Scott Page was playing it in Pink Floyd’s “Delicate Sound of Thunder” tour. I’m still waiting for the Pititi mouthpiece that I ordered. I highly doubt if Paititi MP can impress me as much at Tone Edge did. I’ll let you know.
I'll have to look up "Delicate Sound of Thunder". Thanks for the tip.
Here is the link to one of the solos that he played on that tour:
czcams.com/video/DUoYM_3CkOk/video.html
He uses Martine Committee vintage horn with rubber link.
Here is another solo on the same tour. You can skip to 3:35 for solo:
czcams.com/video/SiGUwQYiUp0/video.html
Sounds fine, on cloud 9
Try and review the Yamaha 4cm it came with my Yamaha custom ex tenor and I love it for classical playing and have even done some jazz rehearsals on it but I prefer the tone of my vandoren Java. I'm definitely not proficient at altissamo but I can get up to about altissamo d on it no sweat. Great little piece I just wish it was a little bigger opening
Recently on a saxophone forum I participate on some individual passed a comment that the Yamaha 4C mouthpiece was horrible - haha really? Great review mate keep up the good work...
LOL!
Greg Strange and thats why I stopped reading crap on forums. The Yamaha 4c is a great mouthpiece for the money.
This video debunks the myth of having a large tip opening to get a big sound.
true.
Sirvalorsax- The 4C on m Yamaha 62 is effortless to use and play in tune from low Bb to high f#. The palm keys come out fat and effortless and in tune. When I play my Otto Linki new vintage 5*, it is not quite as easy and effortless and palm keys are not as fat and intune and easy to play. Overall though I like the sound of the Otto link better though. What other better mouthpiece (s) have the same characteristics but maybe a ittle better sound that the 4C? Ie: effortless to play, in tune, and fat easy palm keys.
The 4C is an amazingly efficient product. I would recommend trying different reeds with it to zero in on the most ideal sound. Record yourself and listen back to see if the sound is really as different as you think it is. Also, try different reeds with the Link to get that free blowing easy to play feel. Sometimes that is all it takes. I have a lot of success using a synthetic Legere reed with my Otto Link Modern Vintage #5. I also did a little bit of work flattening the table on that piece as well.
@@Sirvalorsax Thanks for the advice! My 5* new vintage hard rubber otto link has a great sound. But it does not pass the suction test so I guess that means the table needs to be flattened. I will try some different reeds- that is great advice. There should be a video , " Is it you or your reed". LOL.....Seriously sometimes I think a good reed is more important that long tones. Well not really but you know what I mean? Seamus Blake said he went thourgh 60 new reeds to pick one to record on and that Stan Getz would go through even more! I am going to get a Meyer Bros tenor piece. Not sure if it will be 5M or an 8S both original...I tried a Meyer tru-flex on tenor (small tip) and it was really really interesting so that's what peaked my interest. It was effortless to play and had a beautiful resonant sound but not quite as full on the palm keys as the 4c. BTW what does Sirvalorsax mean??????
@@stangetz534 Sir- a title, Valor-bravery, Sax-sexy instrument but in reality, just a catchy unique name. LOL
@@Sirvalorsax it reads sirvalor - like a star wars character -)
@@stangetz534 :)
Awesome.
Thanks
Very helpful video like your other videos. You mentioned about your book in one of your video . Have you publish it ?
I'm still looking. I might go with an indy local publishing company.
Excelente.
Didnt like the v16 ordered the 4c
Dud you got the sound it doesn’t matter too much what you play .....you could play a water hose it would sound great.🎷
LOL!!!
Always a pleasure Adrienne and.... first 😎
Thanks
I bought a 4C for my soprano. Paired with a Vandoren v12 I can get a really smooth dark classical tone. I’m currently playing on a pomarico crystal mouthpiece, do you have any reviews on those btw?
Love your reviews man , keep em coming!
I am looking for some more exotic pieces and I almost bought one about a month ago but I got the Ishimori instead. I will keep that one in mind
Any saxophone to set or not this mouthpiece
The ligature and mouthpiece cap comes with the 4C mouthpiece?
Only with the saxophone. If it is bought separately, there is only the mouthpiece
hello, your videos are very helpful. maybe if you play more near to microfone could be better. thanks
Cruise ship?
Amazing play, what song is the one at 4:41
Feliz sábado me gusta la boquilla pero mi sax no es Yamaha.
Hey man I have a question, I've been going crazy about mouthpieces lately. I just bought a P Mauriat pro tenor, PMXT-66R model, which is capable of anything... but I'm starting beginner lessons this month. What mouthpiece should I start with - Yamaha 4C or 5C?
Thank you for all the tips!
I would use the one that it came with. If it is too open, I would go with the 4C
@@Sirvalorsax thanks for your reply. On the other hand I'm having a hissing sound when I play C with the octave key pressed. In fact, C sounds sharper than any other notes with the octave key pressed. Is that a problem of saxophone or is it me? This sax is new btw. Thank you
Hello. Mr S.
What do U Tink about Tenor Ricco
Graftoninte. I hava A5 and I
have a metalite m9. I also pla Meyer m7.
wich is my main pice.
Tanks for the channel.
Chears🙂👍Poul from Denmark
I tried the Graftonite on Bari but I really prefer the Metalite. I think that would be the same on tenor also. I really liked the Graftonite on soprano but I had problems with it fitting on the neck.
La 4c
Thanks for the vídeo!...can you make the same with the 5 and 6c?, and with the selmer s80 c*?...greetings from Paraguay. 👍🏻👍🏻🎷🎷
I have a video on the Selmer Soloist "E" facing
Can someone pls tell me what the intro song is
Para mí sax tenor.
Why did you get the Yamaha saxophone? Is it a backup for your Cannonball?
I have access to some other saxes because they used to do the show "Chicago" here. Those instruments are still here.
@@Sirvalorsax If the YTS-475 had the work you mentioned it needed, how would that compare to your Cannonball with your current choice of mouthpiece?
Do you like the key layout better on one vs the other?
I really enjoy your reviews & your skills are incredible. Keep posting.
sir what C or size of mouthpiece that can you recommend for the begginer
4C
How difficult would jumping from the 4C to a Metalite M7 be? I use java green 3.5 reeds
And I intend to get a bright and edgy, but not overly shrill rock sound
@@Sebastian-ne1yt It should feel like a logical step up. I prefer the M5 but it might be too similar in feel to a 4C. If you are looking for bright and edgy, I think the M7 is a nice affordable alternative. Also, try synthetic reeds to add that extra zip.
Have you ever play subtone with Yamaha 4C ?
Yes. Its a very versatile mouthpiece
Got it. I am problem.
LOL
Hey, does anyone have any advice for low notes?
Especially on tenor, I am kind of torn between using subtone and full sound. The sound tends to break when switching between them.
And also for some reason, I can't get the articulation, the start of a note usually has a squeak. Especially when trying to articulate quiet notes. This problem doesn't occur in other registers.
If anyone has advice, I would appreciate it. It would be amazing to see a video on this topic.
I would try using different reeds and experimenting between subtone and straight tone to see if that makes a difference
Hey, have you ever played a metal Selmer classical mouthpiece before?
I haven't tried one. My teacher from college had one but I never got a chance to play it. I am looking for one though. I'll have to see how I can budget it.
I play on one for alto and I like it a lot!
Sir what do you think this one will be good for a beginner? 😅😅
I think this is an excellent beginner mouthpiece.
Watching your videos will motivate each and every beginner. Thank you so much for the videos you post 😊
Would love to see you in India (Goa) soon ☺️🥰
ok, i get it. the problem is me
I really dislike the 6C, I'd stick with the 4C.
I have found that the character can change a bit too much when the tip openings vary widely. Maybe I'll split the difference and get a 5C
I just find the 6C dull as dish water. I can't brighten it. The 4 and 5C are more malleable. I thought the number referred to the tip opening, but Yamaha refers to the 6C as "dark".
I bought a used yts 21 that came with a 5C. I play a King Super 20 alto with a hard rubber Theo Wanne Gaia 2, #7. I decided I wanted to mess around with a tenor because the sky is blue and the earth is round. The yts 21 had a lot of minor issues, so I had it repadded and overhauled by SaxQuest in St. Louis. I have to say I do not like this sax. It feels so stuffy & blocked compared to my alto. I never really played a tenor before, and I have not tried a different mouthpiece. But I doubt the mouthpiece is the problem. It's either me, the horn, or a combination of both. I want to try a few other tenors before putting all of the blame on this horn. I don't know any other sax players, so who know when, if ever, that will be. So, after that glowing endorsement, so anybody want to buy a just overhauled Yamaha yts 21 with brand new pads? It comes with the 5C AND a ligature. YAAAAAHHHH!
The YTS21 is not a stuffy horn. I'd borrow a leak light. My guess is that is has a leak on the left palm keys. Best of luck sorting it out, but don't assume that the overhual is good just because they have a shiny name.
@@marktyler3381 I'll check out the palm keys. Thanks for the tip.
@@ldever3 To be honest, the 21 is an awesome horn sub 2k. i've owned and played 23s (same apart from the key guard and some minor differences) for 35 years. Check out Steve's review, he knows saxophones.
www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Tenor/yamaha_yts23.htm
Often a full repad has a snag list as long as your arm. It's possible it's leaky.
I would try some of the other horns at SaxQuest if I was in the area to make sure it wasn't the 21. I follow their videos and they seem to have a lot of saxes there.
@@Sirvalorsax I'm down in New Orleans, so it's a bit of a hike to get there. I'm looking for something local, or a local pro that can give it a blow.
5:40
Yamaha 4C is a quintessential "beginner" mouthpieces. IMHO it's better than the Selmer S80 C*. Of the beginner pieces I've played on, the only thing that comes close to the 4C is the Rousseau NC4. But the NC4, costs a bit more because it's hard rubber.
If you are talking about jazz then the C* isnt good in the slightest, however, for classical i play a C* on my bari and alto and it sounds amazing, but definitely not for jazz.
Crap so we all need to work harder. You make this sound like a pro mouthpiece
LOL!!
Do you only review tenor mouthpieces? Where's the alto love?
I've been working on a way to get an alto again. Unfortunately I had to sell mine and I currently don't have space for one. Within the next few weeks, I should be getting another one.
Tenor gang represent