Should I Use a Rubber or Metal Mouthpiece?

If you’re trying to decide what mouthpiece to use, the choice of material may be a part of the decision that you get caught up on. So, what should you choose?

You should always use a rubber mouthpiece if you are in doubt. Rubber mouthpieces are generally easier to use than metal mouthpieces and are usable for both classical and jazz music. Metal mouthpieces are usually only used for jazz, and they are much more difficult to use than rubber mouthpieces.

First, it has to be stated that material technically doesn’t affect how the mouthpiece sounds or performs. However, it just happens to be the case that metal mouthpieces are typically designed differently than rubber mouthpieces, and so they ultimately serve different purposes. Taking these differences into consideration, I believe that you should opt for a rubber mouthpiece if you are on the fence. 

This isn’t to say that metal mouthpieces can’t be good or don’t have their place (on the contrary, they can be extremely good); rather, I am claiming that you should opt for rubber mouthpieces by default if you have any doubt as to which one to use. Metal mouthpieces generally take an experienced saxophonist to sound good on, whereas rubber mouthpieces can sound fantastic regardless of skill level. 

Reasons to use a rubber mouthpiece

The main benefits of using a rubber mouthpiece are:

1. They are more stable;
2. They can be suitable for both classical and jazz;
3. They are still used by some of the best saxophonists.

I personally use rubber mouthpieces, so I may be slightly biased. However, I nonetheless think that many high-quality rubber mouthpieces are designed to have these benefits.

Easier to play on and more stable

Rubber mouthpieces are often designed in such a way so that they have a more stable pitch. They are often intended to consistently play in tune, rather than to allow the pitch to be easily bent. This is, of course, a generalization rather than an absolute rule. 

Generally, metal mouthpieces are intended for jazz/funk/pop music, and as such they tend to respond to even subtle changes in embouchure. If you are a beginner, however, this may throw you off. It is difficult to play in tune as a beginner, and a metal mouthpiece will likely only make that more difficult.

Also, metal mouthpieces tend to project more. This is something to be careful with; in many settings you are aiming for a sound which blends with others, rather than a sound that cuts through. Again, this could be an inconvenience that is better avoided if you are a beginner.

Can be suitable for both classical and jazz

Whatever type of music you wish to play, there is a rubber mouthpiece that will be effective at it. Nearly every classical saxophonist uses a rubber mouthpiece, and a large portion of jazz saxophonists do as well. 

Metal mouthpieces, on the other hand, are typically only used for jazz, funk, rock, or pop. In these genres, having a sound which cuts through is often desirable, and as such some saxophonists who play music in these genres will use metal mouthpieces.

However, rubber mouthpieces tend to work just as well for these genres as well.

Used by some of the best saxophonists

Although metal mouthpieces generally take more skill to use, it is not the case that all (or even most) professional saxophonists use metal mouthpieces. In classical music, nearly all professionals use rubber mouthpieces. In jazz, a good number use rubber mouthpieces as well. Metal mouthpieces are generally used to get a sound that cuts through and to increase one’s ability to bend the pitch.

Don’t feel as though you have to use a mouthpiece made from a specific material in order to sound good (again, the material doesn’t really matter as much as the design anyway). It is often best to play on what is easiest for you to sound good on especially if you are fairly new to the saxophone. 

How many people use rubber vs metal mouthpieces?

The majority of alto and soprano saxophonists play on rubber mouthpieces. Metal mouthpieces appear to be more common for tenor saxophonists. 

I’m basing this off of a poll from a while back on the website Sax On The Web. It isn’t entirely clear why tenor saxophonists on that site seem to prefer metal mouthpieces – but it may have something to do with the fact that the tenor saxophone is often especially loved among jazz soloists, whereas classical saxophonists are often known to play more frequently on alto. 

When to use a metal mouthpiece

You should use a metal mouthpiece if:

1. You need a sound that is bright and projects well, and
2. You are experienced enough to control it well.

Again, metal mouthpieces are usually made to serve a very specific purpose. They are often designed to project well and to produce a brighter sound more suitable for jazz, pop, or funk. 

They also tend to respond to subtle changes in embouchure or voicing. They can often bend pitch to a far greater extent than rubber mouthpieces can, at the cost of having a less-stable intonation. So, you might consider using a metal mouthpiece if you are playing in circumstances where you need to be able to consistently bend notes.

Conclusion

Metal mouthpieces can be fantastic, but I recommend using rubber mouthpieces as your default. 

I hope that this article has helped you better understand the differences between rubber and metal mouthpieces!