TYPES OF DEFLECTORS
Before we talk about deflectors, do you know what a mouthpiece's function is?
The purpose of the mouthpiece is to create the sound and the role of the saxophone is to amplify that sound and determine its timbre, ie its sound identity. Musicians of different musical styles such as classical, rock or jazz can play the same saxophone, but the tone emitted by the mouthpiece of each style will be very different.
What is and what is the mouthpiece baffle for?
The part of the mouthpiece that creates the biggest difference between tones is what we call the Baffle or Deflector.
The Deflector begins after the mouthpiece rail and extends to the bottom by about two centimeters. Since the Deflector is the first thing the sound wave hits, it plays a key role in a musician's sound.
What types of Deflectors exist?
We can compare the different types of deflectors as if they were a garden hose:
• Flat Deflector (Flat Baffle)
This deflector extends from the tip rail straight back into the chamber.
The flat baffle is found in the first saxophone mouthpieces made in 1843 by Adolf Sax in the early 1940s, and most of these mouthpieces also had very small tip openings and truly large chambers. In addition, it is very common to find it in the saxophone mouthpieces of the 1920s and 1930s that contain small pointed opening. You can also find it in clarinet and soprano mouthpieces, which can easily sound shrill (nasal sound), particularly in the upper registers. What type of musician is the Flat Deflector suitable for?
This deflector has a consistent sound across all registers and will rarely appear to sound “unpleasant” or overly “bright”.
It's a great choice for musicians who blow very hard, as these musicians naturally sound “brilliant” because of the high airflow velocity they use when playing. These musicians can make a very brilliant sound if they are using a mouthpiece with a Bump-type baffle for example, however, the Flat Baffle can balance their sound with great efficiency.
• Roll-Over Baffle Deflector
The Spine Deflector may be hard to see with the naked eye, but it is evident when we know where it is and what to watch.
This deflector is an art form to be produced and manufactured correctly. It has a slight “bump”, which is a tall, short section just past the mouthpiece rail and merges with a Flat Deflector that extends toward the chamber. It may sound simple, but a good Spine Deflector should incorporate the shape of the nose rail and the transitions to the Flat Deflector in a very complex and precise way.
Often less material on the Baffle Deflector will make the mouthpiece easier to touch and make it sound brighter. If this deflector is too loud or undefined, the sound will be muted and stop.
For what type of musician is the Deflector Lombada indicated?
It is a baffle suitable for musicians who want to add more overtones to their sound, because airflow passes through this section at different speeds. A unique quality of the Baffle Deflector is that while the sound initially appears brighter, the consistent sound produced by the next Flat Deflector is maintained.
• Deflector Ramp / Step (Step Baffle)
The shape of this deflector resembles a stair step. It begins after the Tip Rail and then moves towards the chamber, forming an internal ramp.
There is no need to have a Baffle Deflector to create a “bright” sound when we already have the Ramp Deflector, as its height accelerates air velocity and creates a high frequency sound with “bright sound”.
What type of musician is the Ramp / Step Deflector suitable for?
This deflector is suitable for musicians seeking sound projection, because among all types of deflectors, it offers the best sound projection. It's a necessary deflector for most R&B and rock and roll saxophonists, as they eventually need to excel at the rest of the band when doing solo.
The Ramp Deflector was popularized by Dave Guardala with his famous Michael Brecker and Dukoff model with the Super Power Chamber D.
The advantage of the Ramp Deflector when compared to the other deflector formats is that it makes the mouthpiece easier to play, but one disadvantage is that it can often sound “bright” all the time and even sound “ too thin.
Because of its ease in sounding, we recommend that the musician use slightly larger mouthpieces when switching from a Flat Deflector or Spine Mouthpiece to a Ramp Deflector Mouthpiece.
• Concave Deflector (Concave Baffle)
The Concave Deflector has a cavity (or notch) after the tip rail and is not a popular form of deflector. It produces a very “dark” tone, almost dead (tubby), and has a serious lack of projection. So it doesn't have much attack and sounds weak when heard from a distance.
What type of musician is the Concave Deflector suitable for?It is only suitable for musicians with a tendency to play a lot, or those looking for a very dark sound without projection and some back pressure. Back pressure is generated because the air flow is immediately slowed when entering the mouthpiece. When used, the Concave Deflector is usually found next to a Spine Deflector.
Final Considerations:
Have you ever wanted to have the same tone as another saxophonist and bought a setup (saxophone, mouthpiece, pick, clamp, etc.) but then realized that your sound still didn't sound like his?
This is due to the fact that the blowing style, the internal shape of the mouth, the pressure of the air column and the mouth of each individual will directly affect the sound produced by the musician. That is, copying another musician's setup will not guarantee an equal tone.
So when you are ready to change your tone, it is great to understand the different ways of setting a mouthpiece.
Find out what you are using now and then find out what type of deflector will produce the new sound you want to make. For example:
If you play with a mouthpiece that has a Spine Deflector but you want a louder sound, try a mouthpiece that has a Flat Deflector, but if you want a brighter sound, try one with Ramp Deflector. < / p>
In conclusion, the deflector is definitely the most magical and interesting part of the whole combination: Musician + Mouthpiece + Saxophone.