Thanks to Theo for sending these mouthpieces, I really did have a ball (and a challenge ) to learn 4 different solo transcriptions. I'll post the full covers of those transcriptions later on the channel! (The Masato Hando is already up) Here is the link to the mouthpieces: theowanne.com/?affiliate_id=28 (this is an affiliate link, which means it helps the channel through a small comission without you paying any more for the product)
You absolutely crushed it on your solo's. You sounded like the player you were duplicating. The Fire was very impressive along with the earth. Nice work
For those only wanting to check out particular Theo Wanne mouthpieces: 0:00 Intro 1:10 Introducing the Sax-o-meter 1:56 NY Bros review 3:30 Soundmatching - Cannonball Adderley solo transcription 4:47 Rating it on the Sax-O-Meter 5:21 GAIA 4 review 6:51 Rating it on the Sax-O-Meter 7:23 Soundmatching - Phil Woods solo transcription 9:09 EARTH 2 review 10:00 Rating on the Sax-O-Meter 10:16 Soundmatching - Eric Marienthal solo transcription 13:12 FIRE review 15:47 Rating on the Sax-O-Meter 16:20 Soundmatching - Masato Honda solo transcription 17:35 General Theo Wanne review summary
Excellent reviews. You are a gifted communicator. I only wanted to hear your review on a couple mpcs but I couldn't make myself skip any review. Your concept of pairing the mpc with the style that you think it best fits is spot-on. Again, great job and thanks.
Oh thanks Jonathan, glad you dig it! Those transcriptions is the usual thing I so here on this channel, so just picked a bunch of them that matched the feel of those mouthpieces, which was super fun to do.
To my ear the Gaia 4 did it for me. The versatility of the Gaia 4 lets the player either just crack the door open with a soft warm dynamic sound then turn on the switch to barge/kick the door in type of edge that's not over the top. I play the HR Gaia 2 that I bought a few years ago. It has some of the qualities of the Gaia 4 but doesn't quite clip the outer edges of the 4's dynamic. It is a higher priced MP but I feel it is well worth the extra cash.
Great video. I think your sound matching is on. It also speaks to your ability. I have ny 2 also 8 and a Gaia 4 metal 8. I agree with your assessment on the Gaia and it’s flexible character. I think the chamber on the Gaia gets that singing quality which I really dig in a mouthpiece. Some reason for me the Gaia makes me want to play wine light by Grover Washington Jr.
Thanks John! Oh yes, I really can see how Winelight fits that GAIA sound! It definitely is really flexible. Never really played a mouthpiece with that amount of flexibility tbh. The NY Bros 2 plays superb as well, but has to me a much more specific output in sound. It's like THE bebop/hardbop mouthpiece to me.
Thanks man, great for letting me know! It was kind of a first experiment to do it this way, but it helped me to explore the mouthpiece more in depth putting it to a practical test. It definitely helped me to tell more about it too. Will be continued for sure!
Great video on Theo’s pieces and nice playing! I play his mouthpieces - a Shiva Destroyer on tenor with Silverstein lig and a Shiva 2 on alto with B&G lig, both in hard rubber.
I play Shiva 7 on tenor. I never really liked brightening up my sound before because I thought it made the bottom end sound tinny and the palm notes very thin. I tried the mouthpiece after hearing a friend play on one and I now get a really nice bright sound that's still very fat and full through the whole horn well into the altissimo.
Yeah, I know what you mean Eric. For a long time, it seemd to me too that the only way to play bright was to sacrifice intonation and width in sound, but these Theo Wanne pieces really challenged that believe! I have to say, the Retro Revival Eric Marienthal mouthpiece that I play was last year the first to defy that, but now Theo Wanne's are right up the ally. Really a lot of fun, also didn't anticipate that I would like the Fire so much. Thought it would be some kind of Dukoff, but its not.
Hi.... o was watching your videos and a saw that you reviewed of two great mouthpiece Jody Jazz Custom Dark and Theo Wanne New York Bro 2. I would like to know... in your opinion which one is the best mouthpiece and why? Thank you very much.
Hi there, Those are both high quality mouthpieces, which one is the better of the two for you depends on what you need it for and what sound you like. The NY Bros 2 is a more traditional jazz sounding mouthpiece in the direction of Cannonball Adderley, Phil Woods, Charlie Parker, ... While the Jody Jazz HR Custom Dark steers way more to that darker alto sound, like Konitz, Desmond or Art Pepper. Most important is that you know what type of sound that you'd like of these mentioend above, and secondly, do you use it in loud bands/environments or softer ones? The Theo Wanne NY Bros has more projection and is more extraverted than the Jody jazz HR Custom dark, which is more Introverted but surely beautiful. Hope that helps! /Jorre In case you'd go for the Theo Wanne NY Bros, this video, you can get it here which will keep the same price for you, but which provides a comission that helps this channel. ➡️ theowanne.com/?affiliate_id=28
Theo Wanna is the David Monette of the sax world! Monette is a trumpet and mouthpiece maker in Portland who makes the exact premium, fully resonant pieces. I think I even read they went to school together?
Hi Fernando, thanks! Never played that particular one, but hope to in the future. Was in talks with Theo for testing the Durga also at a later point, and the Mindi Abair sounds interesting to try as well. Maybe soon, hope to catch Theo again somewhere soon
Was really impressed by the Earth 2. Definitely had the Eric M vibe, where there’s still a good rounded core sound under the sizzle. Reminded me of your Beechler except the Earth is just slightly darker and rounder. At least that was my impression through the phone audio.
Hey Justin, I had to think about about that. Not sure I'd say the Earth 2 is darker than the Beechler. What I can say is that the playing comfort is higher on the Earth, definitely. The Beechler has more resistance, and I think is a bit more compact overall, but not really brighter than the Earth. I would even say the Earth is slightly brighter probably. But it's a hard one. The playing experience differs a lot, that's something I'm sure of
I currently have a vandoren a45, and have wanted to upgrade to something a little better, in your experience, what do you recommend as your personal opinion?
Depends of course what sound you're looking for. If it's your first more jazz mouthpiece, the NY Bros 2 is the most easy to control I think, although the GAIA 4 has that as well, but that one it twice as expensive. The GAIA can work best if you're rather advanced and flexible with your embouchure, the nyou have a bit more options between dark/bright. Hope that helps? /Jorre
@@SharpElevenMusic I was thinking of going for a durga, because of how bright it sounds, I like the sound, but GAIA can be more flexible in sound, so I haven't decided yet.
@@GuArYtO that's the only one I still have to test, and Theo was about to send me that one (twice), but he is a busy man. Hope to play it someday, the concept sounds great indeed on that one. All I can say is that Theo Wanne aredefinitely quality mouthpieces, without doubt. Not the cheapest though, but quality yes
I really have issue with Theo's MPC's. I know they are good but his $700 price points for Tenor are insane. Been playing Navarro and Retro Revival pieces for a while and have been super happy.
BROOO HAVE YOU TRIED ANYA NICE BRILHART TONALIN REAL DEPTH TO THE TONE ON ALTO IS BIRDS FAVORITSE MOUTHPEICE PAUL DESMOND USED ONE TOO BUT ON TENOR SOUND REAL SMOOTH LESTER YOUNG AND STAN GETZ USED ONE AT SOME POUNT BRO TRY IT IM A BULGARIAN SAXOPHONIST BUT IMAA JAZZ CONNISURE AS WELL NICE PLAYING BROO GOOD LUCK!!!
Great review! Check out Earl Bostic " Up There in Orbit" for example. I think you will enjoy it immensely. A super bright edgy sound with incredible control and technique!
Thanks! And I do enjoy that recording! So much I transcribed it and put it on the channel a couple of months ago ,😁. By the way, playing the Earth 2 I actually considered for a while that exact solo to do a soundmatching cover
So glad to hear that others are starting to talk about Earl Bostic. I’ve been telling my teacher as well as every other ignorant person that grew up in a history class studying jazz as an undergrad or maybe even as a masters degree and I was just so fed up with them talking nonsense about cold train being the greatest to ever live to ever play the tenor saxophone that’s gotta be some sort of a joke right I’ve been playing the tenor For about 15 years I would put my tone up next to his and say mine will be better. Sure his phrasing get a big head and shoulders above me but I feel like he makes terrible decisions when he goes off and improvises let’s take a look at his most famous song giant steps how many of you have ever gathered around the dance floor and said oh wow check it out giant steps design grab your partners let’s hit the dance floor cause this is a song we could all get down to ha ha ha you see what I’m saying it’s a fucking joke giant steps is garbage and people just give it so much credit because he essentially just played horrific melody while running around the circle of fifths is that hard I know I could do it not sure I would sound quite as bad as his but I know for a fact that I wouldn’t get any credit for it you know what exam still alive no living musician will ever get the credit until he’s dead and that’s the facts it’s a shame but hey I say do your self favors and focus on the true grades the Eric Maryenthals, the Grover’s, the Eric Darius’s, the Candy Dulfers, The Maceos, and the Goat in my opinion the one and only king of all pop, rock, funk, you name it he’s perfected it. GERALD MU-THA-FUUUUUKIN Albright! Go ahead chaps please tell me that any of those legends from the past; like Trane, like Bird, Stitt or Rollins etc. Can compete with the legends of today? If you feel that they can please hit me up let’s talk perhaps if we can find a way to come up with some sort of ruling I would be happy to throw down thousands of dollars to prove my point. Anyways. Sorry. I wasn’t trying to start anything disruptive or negative. Just wanted to share my view on how much better Every sport hobby everything in general always picks up and learns from the forefathers but then becomes exponentially better and from then on there’s no looking back anyways happy Playing everyone.
Hele fijne presentatie . Ik hou al jaren van #theowanne mondstukken . Speelde inderdaad vroeger ook op een Dukoff en dat was idd alleenmaar Hard vooruit 😂. Probeer ook eens de Lakshmi en Durga. En heb je wel eens op #Fiberreeds gespeeld van Harry Harttman. Ben zelf affiliate artist van hun. Stuur me een DM en dan kan ik je introduceren aan hun en aan Tom de broer van Theo. Of misschien ken je die al :-) Gezonde groet vanuit Finland van een muzikale Rotterdamer. Bastiaan
Hey Bastiaan. Thanks voor de fijne comment! Heb nog niet op de Fiberreeds gespeeld, enkel op de Legere synthetic en die vallen goed mee, enkel voor de net wat verfijndere manieren van spelen (bv. cool jazz) vond ik het niet geweldig. Wil het zeker wel eens graag proberen dus je mag me zeker aan hun introduceren. Ik heb voor deze video contact gehad met Theo Wanne rechtstreeks en we hebben het gehad over een vervolg met de Durga, maar ik heb enkel van hem nog een nieuw mondstuk ontvangen vorig jaar dat nog steeds niet gereleased is. Dus die ligt nog in de wachtkamer. Ben nog steeds erg geinteresseerd in de Durga vooral, maar het is erg druk geweest. Ik zie via TH-cam niet dadelijk een manier om een DM te sturen, maar je kan me terugsturen via info@sharpelevenmusic.com
Thanks to Theo for sending these mouthpieces, I really did have a ball (and a challenge ) to learn 4 different solo transcriptions. I'll post the full covers of those transcriptions later on the channel! (The Masato Hando is already up)
Here is the link to the mouthpieces: theowanne.com/?affiliate_id=28
(this is an affiliate link, which means it helps the channel through a small comission without you paying any more for the product)
You absolutely crushed it on your solo's. You sounded like the player you were duplicating. The Fire was very impressive along with the earth. Nice work
Thanks Richard! They are huge fun to play, these mouthpieces 🙌
For those only wanting to check out particular Theo Wanne mouthpieces:
0:00 Intro
1:10 Introducing the Sax-o-meter
1:56 NY Bros review
3:30 Soundmatching - Cannonball Adderley solo transcription
4:47 Rating it on the Sax-O-Meter
5:21 GAIA 4 review
6:51 Rating it on the Sax-O-Meter
7:23 Soundmatching - Phil Woods solo transcription
9:09 EARTH 2 review
10:00 Rating on the Sax-O-Meter
10:16 Soundmatching - Eric Marienthal solo transcription
13:12 FIRE review
15:47 Rating on the Sax-O-Meter
16:20 Soundmatching - Masato Honda solo transcription
17:35 General Theo Wanne review summary
Excellent reviews. You are a gifted communicator. I only wanted to hear your review on a couple mpcs but I couldn't make myself skip any review. Your concept of pairing the mpc with the style that you think it best fits is spot-on. Again, great job and thanks.
Thanks man, glad you dig it
Really enjoyed this comparison. It opened my ears to a couple of pieces I hadn't heard yet. Great work on the transcriptions as well!
Oh thanks Jonathan, glad you dig it! Those transcriptions is the usual thing I so here on this channel, so just picked a bunch of them that matched the feel of those mouthpieces, which was super fun to do.
To my ear the Gaia 4 did it for me. The versatility of the Gaia 4 lets the player either just crack the door open with a soft warm dynamic sound then turn on the switch to barge/kick the door in type of edge that's not over the top. I play the HR Gaia 2 that I bought a few years ago. It has some of the qualities of the Gaia 4 but doesn't quite clip the outer edges of the 4's dynamic. It is a higher priced MP but I feel it is well worth the extra cash.
Great video. I think your sound matching is on. It also speaks to your ability. I have ny 2 also 8 and a Gaia 4 metal 8. I agree with your assessment on the Gaia and it’s flexible character. I think the chamber on the Gaia gets that singing quality which I really dig in a mouthpiece. Some reason for me the Gaia makes me want to play wine light by Grover Washington Jr.
Thanks John! Oh yes, I really can see how Winelight fits that GAIA sound! It definitely is really flexible. Never really played a mouthpiece with that amount of flexibility tbh. The NY Bros 2 plays superb as well, but has to me a much more specific output in sound. It's like THE bebop/hardbop mouthpiece to me.
Great Video - very helpful for choosing a new piece! You should do more reviews with this style review.
Thanks man, great for letting me know! It was kind of a first experiment to do it this way, but it helped me to explore the mouthpiece more in depth putting it to a practical test. It definitely helped me to tell more about it too. Will be continued for sure!
Very good review man.
Great video on Theo’s pieces and nice playing! I play his mouthpieces - a Shiva Destroyer on tenor with Silverstein lig and a Shiva 2 on alto with B&G lig, both in hard rubber.
Thanks Dan! Cool you play the Shiva, never played those, maybe in a next vid
I play Shiva 7 on tenor. I never really liked brightening up my sound before because I thought it made the bottom end sound tinny and the palm notes very thin. I tried the mouthpiece after hearing a friend play on one and I now get a really nice bright sound that's still very fat and full through the whole horn well into the altissimo.
Yeah, I know what you mean Eric. For a long time, it seemd to me too that the only way to play bright was to sacrifice intonation and width in sound, but these Theo Wanne pieces really challenged that believe! I have to say, the Retro Revival Eric Marienthal mouthpiece that I play was last year the first to defy that, but now Theo Wanne's are right up the ally. Really a lot of fun, also didn't anticipate that I would like the Fire so much. Thought it would be some kind of Dukoff, but its not.
I play a Slant Sig 8 on tenor and it’s great, although I want to experiment with new mouthpieces
I have question for you ?
Do you wanna ?Theo wanna?😀😀😀
Hey loved the video but am loving the neck strap and wondering what it is?
I got one like it at Roberto’s Winds in NY. A little pricey but it’s more comfortable than the neotech I had.
Hi.... o was watching your videos and a saw that you reviewed of two great mouthpiece Jody Jazz Custom Dark and Theo Wanne New York Bro 2.
I would like to know... in your opinion which one is the best mouthpiece and why?
Thank you very much.
Hi there,
Those are both high quality mouthpieces, which one is the better of the two for you depends on what you need it for and what sound you like. The NY Bros 2 is a more traditional jazz sounding mouthpiece in the direction of Cannonball Adderley, Phil Woods, Charlie Parker, ... While the Jody Jazz HR Custom Dark steers way more to that darker alto sound, like Konitz, Desmond or Art Pepper.
Most important is that you know what type of sound that you'd like of these mentioend above, and secondly, do you use it in loud bands/environments or softer ones? The Theo Wanne NY Bros has more projection and is more extraverted than the Jody jazz HR Custom dark, which is more Introverted but surely beautiful.
Hope that helps! /Jorre
In case you'd go for the Theo Wanne NY Bros, this video, you can get it here which will keep the same price for you, but which provides a comission that helps this channel. ➡️ theowanne.com/?affiliate_id=28
Theo Wanna is the David Monette of the sax world! Monette is a trumpet and mouthpiece maker in Portland who makes the exact premium, fully resonant pieces.
I think I even read they went to school together?
I wouldn't know about them attending school together, but indeed, you're right about the premium quality by Theo!
Man, you are a fantastic saxophonist! Many thanks for this video. And how about Theo Wanne Mind abair 2 for alto sax, what's your opinion?
Hi Fernando, thanks! Never played that particular one, but hope to in the future. Was in talks with Theo for testing the Durga also at a later point, and the Mindi Abair sounds interesting to try as well. Maybe soon, hope to catch Theo again somewhere soon
at 8:01 the C# at the end of the bar should be a C??? both of you play the right note its just notated wrong
Yes, good ear! I corrected that while playing it, forgot to adjust the sheet music, my bad...
Was really impressed by the Earth 2. Definitely had the Eric M vibe, where there’s still a good rounded core sound under the sizzle. Reminded me of your Beechler except the Earth is just slightly darker and rounder. At least that was my impression through the phone audio.
Hey Justin, I had to think about about that. Not sure I'd say the Earth 2 is darker than the Beechler. What I can say is that the playing comfort is higher on the Earth, definitely. The Beechler has more resistance, and I think is a bit more compact overall, but not really brighter than the Earth. I would even say the Earth is slightly brighter probably. But it's a hard one. The playing experience differs a lot, that's something I'm sure of
@@SharpElevenMusic interesting. Where would you put the Beechler and the Earth 2 each on your 0-100 scale?
excellent sounds .. which horn do you play ?
A mark VI
I currently have a vandoren a45, and have wanted to upgrade to something a little better, in your experience, what do you recommend as your personal opinion?
Depends of course what sound you're looking for. If it's your first more jazz mouthpiece, the NY Bros 2 is the most easy to control I think, although the GAIA 4 has that as well, but that one it twice as expensive. The GAIA can work best if you're rather advanced and flexible with your embouchure, the nyou have a bit more options between dark/bright.
Hope that helps?
/Jorre
@@SharpElevenMusic I was thinking of going for a durga, because of how bright it sounds, I like the sound, but GAIA can be more flexible in sound, so I haven't decided yet.
@@GuArYtO that's the only one I still have to test, and Theo was about to send me that one (twice), but he is a busy man. Hope to play it someday, the concept sounds great indeed on that one.
All I can say is that Theo Wanne aredefinitely quality mouthpieces, without doubt. Not the cheapest though, but quality yes
That's a dope jacket
Where would you put the durga for the alto on the scale?
I’ve never played it, but probably 80-90
Fantastic video. Great performance...
Thanks Marcos!
For a 100, it’s probably going to be the Mindi Abair model.
I really have issue with Theo's MPC's. I know they are good but his $700 price points for Tenor are insane. Been playing Navarro and Retro Revival pieces for a while and have been super happy.
And.....?
I didn't know Dave Navarro played saxophone so well.... it seems like he also picked up a European accent somehow
BROOO HAVE YOU TRIED ANYA NICE BRILHART TONALIN REAL DEPTH TO THE TONE ON ALTO IS BIRDS FAVORITSE MOUTHPEICE PAUL DESMOND USED ONE TOO BUT ON TENOR SOUND REAL SMOOTH LESTER YOUNG AND STAN GETZ USED ONE AT SOME POUNT BRO TRY IT IM A BULGARIAN SAXOPHONIST BUT IMAA JAZZ CONNISURE AS WELL NICE PLAYING BROO GOOD LUCK!!!
Great review! Check out Earl Bostic " Up There in Orbit" for example. I think you will enjoy it immensely.
A super bright edgy sound with incredible control and technique!
Thanks! And I do enjoy that recording! So much I transcribed it and put it on the channel a couple of months ago ,😁. By the way, playing the Earth 2 I actually considered for a while that exact solo to do a soundmatching cover
@@SharpElevenMusic Sorry, I remember now you did that! great work!
So glad to hear that others are starting to talk about Earl Bostic. I’ve been telling my teacher as well as every other ignorant person that grew up in a history class studying jazz as an undergrad or maybe even as a masters degree and I was just so fed up with them talking nonsense about cold train being the greatest to ever live to ever play the tenor saxophone that’s gotta be some sort of a joke right I’ve been playing the tenor For about 15 years I would put my tone up next to his and say mine will be better. Sure his phrasing get a big head and shoulders above me but I feel like he makes terrible decisions when he goes off and improvises let’s take a look at his most famous song giant steps how many of you have ever gathered around the dance floor and said oh wow check it out giant steps design grab your partners let’s hit the dance floor cause this is a song we could all get down to ha ha ha you see what I’m saying it’s a fucking joke giant steps is garbage and people just give it so much credit because he essentially just played horrific melody while running around the circle of fifths is that hard I know I could do it not sure I would sound quite as bad as his but I know for a fact that I wouldn’t get any credit for it you know what exam still alive no living musician will ever get the credit until he’s dead and that’s the facts it’s a shame but hey I say do your self favors and focus on the true grades the Eric Maryenthals, the Grover’s, the Eric Darius’s, the Candy Dulfers, The Maceos, and the Goat in my opinion the one and only king of all pop, rock, funk, you name it he’s perfected it. GERALD MU-THA-FUUUUUKIN Albright!
Go ahead chaps please tell me that any of those legends from the past; like Trane, like Bird, Stitt or Rollins etc.
Can compete with the legends of today? If you feel that they can please hit me up let’s talk perhaps if we can find a way to come up with some sort of ruling I would be happy to throw down thousands of dollars to prove my point. Anyways. Sorry. I wasn’t trying to start anything disruptive or negative. Just wanted to share my view on how much better Every sport hobby everything in general always picks up and learns from the forefathers but then becomes exponentially better and from then on there’s no looking back anyways happy Playing everyone.
Nice
Hele fijne presentatie . Ik hou al jaren van #theowanne mondstukken . Speelde inderdaad vroeger ook op een Dukoff en dat was idd alleenmaar Hard vooruit 😂.
Probeer ook eens de Lakshmi en Durga. En heb je wel eens op #Fiberreeds gespeeld van Harry Harttman. Ben zelf affiliate artist van hun. Stuur me een DM en dan kan ik je introduceren aan hun en aan Tom de broer van Theo. Of misschien ken je die al :-)
Gezonde groet vanuit Finland van een muzikale Rotterdamer.
Bastiaan
Hey Bastiaan. Thanks voor de fijne comment! Heb nog niet op de Fiberreeds gespeeld, enkel op de Legere synthetic en die vallen goed mee, enkel voor de net wat verfijndere manieren van spelen (bv. cool jazz) vond ik het niet geweldig. Wil het zeker wel eens graag proberen dus je mag me zeker aan hun introduceren. Ik heb voor deze video contact gehad met Theo Wanne rechtstreeks en we hebben het gehad over een vervolg met de Durga, maar ik heb enkel van hem nog een nieuw mondstuk ontvangen vorig jaar dat nog steeds niet gereleased is. Dus die ligt nog in de wachtkamer. Ben nog steeds erg geinteresseerd in de Durga vooral, maar het is erg druk geweest.
Ik zie via TH-cam niet dadelijk een manier om een DM te sturen, maar je kan me terugsturen via info@sharpelevenmusic.com
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I think that Paquito D'Rivera has more of a brighter sound than David Sanborn