Yamaha Alto Sax Mouthpiece 4C

Well, actually I bought it twice because my original one was either stolen, or I'm the world's biggest idiot about misplacing things. Normally I don't do product reviews on Amazon anymore, but I'm making an exception here.I've been playing sax for about 3 months now on a YAS 23 which actually came with another student mouthpiece made by NEMC, so I bought the Yamaha 4C.After about 3 months of some pretty good progress if I do say so myself, my MPC went missing and I had to use the NEMC one. Holy crap, it's like night and day. The 4c outperforms it in every way from playability to sound and even tuning. Is the 4C a professional piece? Absolutely not. It's designed for us students to get a sound.Is it head and shoulders above most "student" mouthpieces? YES GOOD LORD YES. If you're a student or just starting out, do yourself a favor and drop $25 on either this or the 5C. Yamaha is a legend in the business and for good reason. Their uniform quality control means your chances of getting a "bad" Yamaha MPC are lower than a lot of other brands. The 4c is the industry standard I was pointed to by everyone I spoke with, and I understand why now.Can't wait for my replacement to get here Monday!

Great budget mouthpiece. Very easy to play on for a beginner. This mouthpiece was recommended by the band instructor.

I bought this for my son who is just learning to play the alto saxophone. His first sax turned out to have some problems with it it. Fortunately, we were able to trade it in for a different one and Omg... What a difference. Then I got this idea about the mouthpiece. I started looking at them and decided to get this one. I have absolutely no regrets about it. The sound is better, richer and much more precise than it used to be. It's a lot easier for my son to play softly now too which is great. He is loving it which makes it worthwhile for me to have purchased it. I think his music teacher will wonder what happened. It's like a huge step forward over the holidays just because he got new equipment.

I picked the mouthpiece based on the recommendation of several teachersand some online reviews that I trust for, me, an adult beginner.I have also tried a J&D Hite Premiere and a Bundy (model unknown) that a teacher had on hand.I recommend placing a Mouthpiece Cushion from Lebianc.(I have the thin clear ones.) Although not immediately obvious these cushions will work with anAlto Sax mouthpiece.This is working so well I ordered a spare. Also I understand, from those thatknow more than me that I will be able to use this mouthpiece for several years if not longer.The Yamaha YAC-1607 Gold 4C Ligature works just fine. Just give it some time to shape itselfto this mouthpiece when you first get it.The "American Plating Alto Sax Mouthpiece Cap" will work with this mouthpiece andwhen it is in stock you can get it for $1.95 here at Amazon.(If there are other items in your order as it is an add-on item. Which is a new program here at Amazon.)I wasn't sure if this mouthpiece cap would fit but I took the chance.

Buying a Yamaha anything (and they make almost everything) is never a poor choice. Whether it's a dirt bike or especially a musical instrument. Student models with quality and craftsmanship that is somewhere on the same spectrum as most intermediate to professional models of much more expensive manufacturers. If money weren't an issue then I would buy a $400 Selmer mouthpiece but what you get out of this one for a tenth of the price is remarkable but also typical of Yamaha.

This is the second one of these that I've purchased for my middle school band student. The first one that I purchased to replace the rather crappy one that came with his sax got a small chip in it (from when I dropped it while cleaning it .... oops!). It still seemed to play fine, but you just never know, so I bought another one and moved the chipped one to being a "backup".This mouthpiece with a Bari Star (medium) synthetic reed and a Vandoren LC57DP ligature has proven to be a perfect combination. My son gets excellent sound and is always being complimented by his band director as well as judges at solo and ensemble competition. They're always surprised to find out he's using a synthetic reed, but I think it's the combination of the three that makes all the difference.

If you are a beginner, you probably think that getting this mouthpiece will greatly improve your sound on your budget sax- it absolutely will. But it will only raise you to the minimum level. You need to get a Selmer Paris or Vandoren v16 to really have a decent set up. If you cant afford $150 mouthpiece then dont waste the $25 on the Y5c. Grind with your factory one until you can afford a french one. Still this mouthpiece is the best mouthpiece for the money and build with consistency and quality. It is the minimum standard for anyone serious about becoming a saxophonist. Most people recommend 2.5 strength reeds for beginners- I say start with Rico or Vandoren 1.0 or 1.5 reed with a leather Rovner dark ligature.

Excellent transaction…. Super speedy shipping