Best Saxophone Mouthpieces for Tenor of 2025

Joseph Hubbard Avatar
Joseph Hubbard
Last Updated: Jan 9, 2025

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Saxophone mouthpieces for tenor are an essential component to any musician's setup. They are responsible for producing the sound and tone quality of the instrument. There are a variety of options available on the market, with varying materials and designs to suit different playing styles and preferences. For example, metal mouthpieces are known for their brightness and projection, while hard rubber mouthpieces offer a warmer and more mellow sound. It's important for musicians to experiment with different mouthpieces to find the one that best suits their playing style and desired sound.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Yamaha 4C Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Cover #TOP 1
Yamaha 4C Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Yamaha 5C Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Cover #TOP 2
Yamaha 5C Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
ftb score rating icon 9.8
BetterSax Signature Classic Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Cover #TOP 3
BetterSax Signature Classic Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Saxophone Mouthpieces for Tenor

#TOP 1

Yamaha 4C Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

YAC TS4C
Yamaha 4C Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Cover
Yamaha 4C Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece, Standard Series

Yamaha 4C Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece is the official original-equipment mouthpiece, made from durable phenol resin plastic. It is designed for beginners to make a terrific sound and can fit any brand of standard tenor saxophone. The state-of-the-art manufacturing produces a high-quality and consistent mouthpiece.

What We Like
Durable Phenol Resin Plastic
Designed for Beginners
High-quality and Consistent Sound
#TOP 2

Yamaha 5C Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

YAC TS5C
Yamaha 5C Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Cover
Yamaha 5C Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece, Standard Series

The Yamaha 5C Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece, part of the standard series, is an authentic and reliable mouthpiece suitable for any brand of standard tenor saxophone. With its slightly larger tip opening, the 5C size offers a richer tone, excellent flexibility, and responsive playability. Made from safe and durable phenol resin plastic, this mouthpiece ensures longevity and consistent performance. The state-of-the-art manufacturing process guarantees an extremely high-quality product. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, the Yamaha 5C Mouthpiece provides the convenience of a versatile mouthpiece that enhances your saxophone playing experience, allowing you to effortlessly produce a wide range of tones and express your musicality.

What We Like
Rich tone
Excellent flexibility
Responsive playability

BetterSax Signature Classic Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

BetterSax
BS-A-TMP-11
Black
BetterSax Signature Classic Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Cover
BetterSax Classic Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Made in the USA, Hand-Finished. Ideal for beginners in Concert band, Jazz band and Marching band.

The BetterSax Mouthpiece is designed for ease of play, durability, impressive sound quality, and educational advantage. The optimal design promotes quick learning, making it perfect for beginners. Crafted from high-quality plastic, it ensures long-lasting use for daily practice. With impressive sound output, beginners can produce clear tones easily. This mouthpiece supports skill development critical for mastering wind instruments, such as airflow and embouchure techniques.

What We Like
Easy for beginners
Durable material
Impressive sound quality
#TOP 4

Vandoren Optimum Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

SM721
Black
Vandoren Optimum Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Cover
Vandoren SM721 TL3 Optimum Series Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece , Black

The Vandoren SM721 TL3 Optimum Series Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece, Black boasts roundness, depth, and precision to deliver excellent sound quality. The medium-short facing and 176 tip opening (1/100mm) make it easy to play, while it works best with Vandoren #2.5-#4 reeds.

What We Like
Delivers excellent sound quality
Easy to play with medium-short facing and 176 tip opening
Works best with Vandoren #2.5-#4 reeds
#TOP 5

Libretto Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Kit

black,gold
Libretto Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Kit Cover
Libretto Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Kit, Giftable Standard Mouthpiece Set: ABS 5C Mouthpiece, Plastic Cap, Gold Lacquered Ligature. Finely Designed for Beginners and Intermediates

The Libretto Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Kit is an all-in-one set that includes a Plastic 5C Mouthpiece, Plastic Cap, and Gold Lacquered Ligature, designed for beginners and intermediates. It is made of high-quality materials that are durable and light, perfect for students or beginners' practice. The kit is cost-effective and comes with a paper box with a sealed plastic bag covering the mouthpiece set, making it a perfect gift for anyone who plays the tenor saxophone. Additionally, each paper box is sealed with a VOID sticker to ensure hygiene and brand-new mouthpieces.

What We Like
Includes everything you need for your tenor saxophone
High-quality, durable, and light materials
Cost-effective
#TOP 6

D'Addario Rico Graftonite Tenor Sax Mouthpiece, B5

RRGMPCTSXB5
black
D'Addario Rico Graftonite Tenor Sax Mouthpiece, B5 Cover
D'Addario Rico Graftonite Tenor Sax Mouthpiece, B5

The D'Addario Rico Graftonite Tenor Sax Mouthpiece, B5, is a durable and high-quality mouthpiece designed for tenor saxophone players. With a tip opening of .095" and a facing length of 23mm, this mouthpiece offers a balanced and versatile sound. The durable construction ensures that it will not chip or crack, providing long-lasting performance. Additionally, the mouthpiece is available in three tip openings and three chambers, allowing players to find the perfect fit for their playing style. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, the D'Addario Rico Graftonite Tenor Sax Mouthpiece, B5, offers excellent playability, durability, and versatility for all your musical needs.

What We Like
Durable construction
Balanced and versatile sound
Three tip openings and chambers
#TOP 7

Selmer S-80 C* Mouthpiece for Tenor Saxophone

S404C1
Selmer S-80 C* Mouthpiece for Tenor Saxophone Cover
Selmer S-80 C* Mouthpiece for Tenor Saxophone (S404C1)

The Selmer S-80 C* Mouthpiece for Tenor Saxophone (S404C1) features a square cross section in the chamber, making it a great option for those looking to "step up" their mouthpiece. With a tip opening of 1.8 and a facing length of 24.00, this mouthpiece is perfect for tenor saxophonists looking for a high-quality, reliable option.

What We Like
Great for those looking to "step up" their mouthpiece
Square cross section in the chamber provides a unique sound
Tip opening of 1.8 and facing length of 24.00 makes it a reliable and high-quality option
#TOP 8

Vandoren V16 Ebonite Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

SM823E
MultiColored
Vandoren V16 Ebonite Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Cover
Vandoren SM823E T7 V16 Ebonite Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece

The Vandoren V16 Ebonite Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece offers a great combination of sound projection and tone quality. It features a tip opening of 270 (1/100mm) and a long facing, which makes it compatible with Vandoren #2.5-#3.5 reeds. This mouthpiece is perfect for intermediate to advanced players who want a versatile and high-quality mouthpiece for their tenor saxophone.

What We Like
Great combination of sound projection and tone quality
Compatible with Vandoren #2.5-#3.5 reeds
Perfect for intermediate to advanced players
#TOP 9

JodyJazz HR* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Model 7

HR T-Sax 7
7 (.100")
JodyJazz HR* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Model 7 Cover
JodyJazz HR* Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece Model 7 (.100")

The JodyJazz HR* Model 7 Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece offers a vintage feel and sound at a reasonable price. This hand-finished mouthpiece is designed to provide a unique and classic tone for tenor saxophone players. The special facing machine ensures precise facing, while the hand finishing adds a personal touch to each mouthpiece. With its vintage feel and sound, the JodyJazz HR* Model 7 allows players to capture the essence of classic saxophone music. Whether you're performing jazz, blues, or any other genre, this mouthpiece will deliver the rich and expressive sound you're looking for. With its affordable price and high-quality craftsmanship, the JodyJazz HR* Model 7 is a great choice for both beginner and professional saxophone players.

What We Like
Vintage feel and sound
Reasonably priced
Hand finished
#TOP 10

Yamaha Tenor Sax Mouthpiece 4C

YAC1291
black
Yamaha Tenor Sax Mouthpiece 4C Cover
Yamaha Tenor Sax Mouthpiece 4C

The Yamaha Tenor Sax Mouthpiece is a high-quality mouthpiece designed for tenor saxophones. It is specifically crafted to deliver outstanding performance and comfort where it matters most - where the instrument meets the musician. This mouthpiece is highly consistent, making it a great choice for both beginning and professional musicians. With its 4C size, it offers a balanced and versatile tone that is well-suited for intermediate players. The Yamaha Tenor Sax Mouthpiece is an excellent option for anyone looking to enhance their playing experience and achieve a professional sound.

What We Like
High-quality
Comfortable
Consistent
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a good mouthpiece for tenor sax?

15 Best Tenor Saxophone Mouthpieces 2022, Upgrade Your Sax. Vandoren SM723 TL5 Optimum Series Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece.Vandoren SM823E T7 Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece.Vandoren SM823GMKO T7 Metal Tenor Sax Mouthpiece.D'Addario Woodwinds Select Jazz Tenor Saxophone Mouthpiece.Selmer S-80 C Tenor Sax Mouthpiece.

2. How do I choose a tenor saxophone mouthpiece?

The Saxophone Mouthpiece (and Clarinet Mouthpiece) Tip Size, or Tip-Opening, is the distance between the reed and mouthpiece tip. This number is usually on the side of the mouthpiece body, or on the table. The smaller the tip size the more narrow the opening; the larger the tip size the larger the opening.

3. Can you use an alto sax mouthpiece on a tenor?

Alto sax reeds could theoretically work with the closest sax types, such as tenor. Nonetheless, they are not as efficient in delivering sound as matching reeds because reeds are optimized to work with specific sizes of saxophones and sax mouthpieces.

4. Are alto and tenor sax mouthpieces the same?

This value V* depends on the volume of the saxophone body, so it's about the same for all mouthpieces of a given saxophone kind (alto, tenor...). But of course, different models have different geometries.

Editor's Notes

During our saxophone mouthpiece for tenor research, we found 24 saxophone mouthpiece for tenor products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 9,214 customer reviews through our big data system to write the saxophone mouthpieces for tenor list. We found that most customers choose saxophone mouthpieces for tenor with an average price of $93.52.

The saxophone mouthpieces for tenor are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of saxophone mouthpieces for tenor, including YAMAHA, BetterSax, Vandoren, Libretto, Rico. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Joseph Hubbard Avatar

Joseph Hubbard is a music producer and runs a musical instrument store in Chicago. Joseph is happy to help others choose the instrument that best suits their needs. He loves everything related to music and often publishes articles related to music on key websites.