What is the difference between alto mouthpieces?

Question:What is the difference between the selmer C, C1 and C2 mouthpieces?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: What is the difference between the selmer C, C1 and C2 mouthpieces?

I don't believe they are numbered like that, I've seen them numbered as C, C*, and C**. I think the difference is in the width of the opening.

Personally I would recommend a C*, it is a great all-around mouthpeice, and they aren't too expensive either.

The Conn-Selmer company has an "Accessories Showbook" that does a good job of explaining the differences between their mouthpieces:

http://accessories.conn-selmer.com/pdf/b...

Page 42 contains a chart on the facings of each of the C, C* and C** mouthpieces. Basically, the only difference between each is the tip opening increases as you add a "*". The tip opening is the measurement between the reed and the tip of the mouthpiece. Which opening is best for you is very much a personal choice depending on your style of playing, embochure, the music you play, the reeds you use, etc. Put simply, a closer tip opening will be easier to play with quicker response, but will limit the volume and tonal range of your instrument. A larger tip opening will be more difficult to play quietly and smoothly, but will give you a wider variety of tonal options.