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Upgrading Your Sax Mouthpiece

13th January 2026

Upgrading your sax mouthpiece can be a real turning point in your playing. It’s often the moment where things start to feel easier, more responsive, and a way of finding ‘you’ in your sound. In our latest video, professional saxophonist Thom Conroy is joined by UK Product Specialist Tom Miller-Swain to explain why a mouthpiece upgrade is such an important investment, and how to choose the right option for your style with D’Addario.

Why upgrading your sax mouthpiece matters

A good saxophone mouthpiece should respond naturally to the player. It should help you achieve the sound you hear in your head, rather than feeling like something you constantly have to fight against. Much like investing in a reliable, well-made car, investing in a quality mouthpiece gives you better control, consistency, and comfort every time you play.

Many players also find that their mouthpiece needs change depending on the style of music they are playing. Classical and jazz playing require different demands on tone, projection, and flexibility, which is why having the right mouthpiece for the job can make such a noticeable difference.

A helpful rule to remember when experimenting with setups is:

  • A softer reed paired with a wider tip opening will generally produce a bigger, more flexible sound

D’Addario Select Jazz mouthpieces

The D’Addario Select Jazz mouthpieces are designed for players exploring jazz, commercial, pop, and rock styles. Made from high-quality hard rubber, they offer a significant upgrade from standard plastic mouthpieces, providing greater tonal depth, improved response, and a wider range of tonal colours.

These mouthpieces are available in two finishes:

While the difference may be subtle, many players find that each finish offers a slightly different feel and response.

Consistency through CNC technology

One of the key strengths of the D’Addario mouthpieces is how consistently they are made. Each mouthpiece is produced using CNC technology, meaning they are cut entirely by machine with no hand finishing. This ensures that every mouthpiece is virtually identical in terms of dimensions and playability.

This consistency is a huge advantage for players. If you try a Select Jazz mouthpiece and love it, you can confidently replace it in the future knowing that the new one will feel and play the same straight out of the box.

Inspired by vintage jazz designs

As Tom explains, the Select Jazz mouthpieces are based on classic designs from the early jazz era. D’Addario scanned a range of vintage mouthpieces for both alto and tenor saxophone, carefully measuring their dimensions and using that data to create modern versions that could be reproduced accurately time and time again.

The result is a mouthpiece that captures the character of traditional jazz sounds, while benefiting from modern manufacturing precision.

Tip openings and recommendations

Tip opening refers to how far the mouthpiece curves away from the reed, and it plays a major role in how the mouthpiece feels and responds.

Available tip openings include:

Players who are new to jazz mouthpieces, or upgrading from a student setup, are generally advised to start with the lower numbers. More open mouthpieces require more air support and a stronger embouchure. If you do choose a wider tip opening, pairing it with a softer reed can help the air flow more freely and make the setup feel more manageable.

A versatile choice for gigging musicians

Thom describes the Select Jazz mouthpiece as feeling secure and comfortable across a wide range of styles. For gigging musicians who need to move quickly between genres such as Latin, funk, and smooth jazz, this mouthpiece offers the flexibility and reliability needed to handle varied musical demands.

D’Addario Reserve mouthpieces for classical playing

For classical saxophonists, the D’Addario Reserve mouthpieces are designed with clarity, control, and projection in mind. These mouthpieces feature an oval chamber design, which helps produce a focused sound with excellent projection, making them ideal for ensemble, orchestral, and exam-based playing.

Reserve mouthpieces for alto saxophone

D’Addario offers three Reserve options for alto saxophone:

  • D145
  • D150
  • D155

Each model varies slightly in tip opening and facing length. This allows players to fine-tune resistance, response, and tonal focus to suit their preferences.

Reserve mouthpiece for tenor saxophone

The tenor Reserve mouthpiece is available in a single model, D190, a medium-long facing. It is based on the same oval chamber concept as the alto versions and delivers warmth, depth, and strong projection, making it a reliable choice for classical tenor players.

Pairing your mouthpiece with the right reeds

For the best possible playing experience, D’Addario recommends pairing their mouthpieces with D’Addario reeds. When trying a new mouthpiece, it is worth experimenting with a range of reed strengths and conditions.

Consider:

  • Trying both new and well-played reeds
  • Testing different strengths
  • Paying attention to how easily the sound speaks and responds

Final thoughts

Finding the right mouthpiece means choosing something that responds to you, supports your musical goals, and makes playing feel more natural. When the setup is right, everything else starts to fall into place. Book an appointment and visit us in-store to try the mouthpieces out for yourself.