Improve Your Altissimo with a Mouthpiece Baffle

Mark Peotter gives some D.I.Y. advice for making your own Saxophone Mouthpiece Baffle. He will take you through the steps and demonstrate the difference in the sound between having a baffle and not having a baffle.

The "baffle" is the area inside the mouthpiece that is nearest the tip of the reed. Without a baffle your tone will be darker. With a baffle your tone will be brighter, and the altissimo range will be easier to play.

The high, bright sound that comes easily with a baffled mouthpiece was made popular in the 70's and 80's by such players as Michael Brecker, David Sanborn, Tom Scott, Marc Russo, Dave Koz, and Ernie Watts, to name a few. It is the contemporary sound that we associate with 80's Rock and Smooth Jazz.

There are many models of Mouthpieces with high baffles to choose from. This video is about making and installing your own custom design baffle into your favorite mouthpiece that has room for accommodation.

Background music in this video includes:
"Latina Dance" by Mark Peotter
"Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"
"First Love" by Mark Peotter
"Whirl A Twirl" by Mark Peotter

Other equipment in this video:
Selmer Mark VI Alto Saxophone
Yanagisawa Metal #7 Mouthpiece
Meyer HR #6 Mouthpiece
Jody Jazz Jet #7 Mouthpiece
Jody Jazz Superjet #7 Metal Mouthpiece
Boston Sax Shop #2.5 Reed
LeGere American Cut #2.25 Reed
Files (wood and metal)
Super Glue Gel