I think it was Coltrane (I'm decaffeinated and may be confusing this story between he and Lester Young) who was a mouthpiece fiend...dude was always trying new mouthpieces, expensive and cheap, in search of his ultimate tone...he felt like the sax was important, but the player met the instrument at the mouthpiece, and mouthpieces were WAY cheaper, even the 150 to 300 dollar ones, than a new sax...
Not to delve off too deeply, as I'm want to do, I'll just leave it at this...and, remember, I'm a self-proclaimed cheapskate...there's something very personal and sensual (not thinking dirty here) about the connection between a musician and his instrument/the music made by them. I feel that pretty strongly (whether in a good way with my good guitar or when fighting my beater), and I don't have the gift...I can only imagine it's intensified for those who can really play. I want to strengthen that connection...for some the right pick is the way to do that...
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