What Is the DV HR Alto Saxophone Mouthpiece?
The DV HR is very free blowing, with all the power you will ever need, along with that big bottom that the DV’s are famous for. But now you get all of that in a hard rubber mouthpiece, which gives you the shape and size in your mouth that you are used to with the added warmth and beauty of Rubber.
Alto sax players need a mouthpiece that lets them cut through when they need it but is not too shrill and can still play a pretty ballad. To some degree we are all looking for that versatility in one mouthpiece. The DV HR Alto is that mouthpiece. Play one note and we think you will be instantly convinced.
Patented DV Design + The Warmth & Feel of Hard Rubber
The DV HR Alto uses the patented DV secondary window to add mid and low harmonics to the sound, giving it some tenor sax characteristics resulting in a more authoritative tone than normal alto mouthpieces provide.
The proportions of the DV HR are derived from the Golden Mean Proportions found in nature. When applied to a saxophone mouthpiece Jody Espina found a magical set of proportions that have made the DV Series mouthpieces one of the most sought-after mouthpieces in the world. Now those magical proportions are available in a hard rubber mouthpiece.
The facing curve is inspired by the golden mean as are many of the design decisions of the mouthpiece. The result is a harmonious invention that provides ease of playing while allowing for beautiful musical expression.
Math & Music Make Sublime Art
With the new DV HR Alto model, JodyJazz is also introducing its newest bite plate technology. The DV HR Alto is the first JodyJazz hard rubber mouthpiece to feature a bite plate embedded into the beak of the mouthpiece. The plate features the iconic ‘Phi’ symbol logo in gold, a characteristic of the classic DV series, completing the stunning look of this new mouthpiece. The new bite plate is not only beautiful but is also functional however we do recommend using a mouthpiece cushion on top of the bite plate for comfort of the player and longevity of the bite plate.
Free Blowing Power, with a Big Fat Versatile Sound
The DV HR Alto features a stylized gold-plated brass ring on the shank of the mouthpiece. The distinctive profile of the ring was created also using the golden mean proportions. The brass ring adds more mass on the shank of the mouthpiece which results in increased stability, more body in the sound and increased harmonics.
JodyJazz DV HR Alto Sax Mouthpiece Price: $450
The mouthpiece comes with a deluxe mouthpiece pouch and Free Domestic Shipping (USPS Priority Mail). For different shipping options and for Overseas Shipping Prices click the “Buy Now” button and fill in your address. You will be able to see your options and pricing before you actually have to buy the item.
$450.00
Jody Espina Demonstrates the New DV HR Alto Mouthpiece
Jody Espina Playing Live with the New DV HR Alto Mouthpiece
Does Not Include Ligature
This mouthpiece does not come with a ligature or a cap. Your current ligature (if you have a hard rubber mouthpiece) should fit, but for upgrades on the ligature you can look here at our POWER RING® Ligatures. The POWER RING AS1 (Gold) and AS1S (Silver) models are made specifically for the DV HR Alto mouthpiece.
Upgrade to a POWER RING® Ligature
You will love the simplicity, beauty, and effectiveness of the POWER RING Ligature. The POWER RING provides both a significant improvement in performance and greatly enhanced visual appeal. The POWER RING features a concave inner design, which reduces the touch points on the reed, thereby maximizing reed vibration. There are no moving or added parts, thereby increasing the efficiency of vibration. The increased mass and greater wall thickness of the new POWER RING Ligature, together with its more contoured shape, provides a more solid contact with the reed at the points where they touch. This allows the most freedom and vibration of the reed, which in turn also increases the amount of harmonics present, allowing the fullest saxophone sound containing high, mid, and low frequencies.
JodyJazz DV HR Alto Sax Mouthpiece Available Tip Openings
- 5 = .072
- 6 = .078
- 7 = .083
- 8 = .090
Do you need a facing comparison chart?
CLICK HERE to compare JodyJazz mouthpieces with other brands.
DOWNBEAT MAGAZINE REVIEW
“A monumental alto mouthpiece at this price comes around only once or twice in an age, so if you’re serious about the instrument, it would be well worth your while to take one for a test-drive and discover its impressive capabilities and capacity for nuanced expression.”
– Downbeat Magazine
This is just some of what Downbeat Magazine had to say in their spectacular review of the DV HR Alto. Other highlights of the review include:
“The piece not only responds with surprising ease, but it’s capable of making the alto sing, sob, burn, flutter, whisper and scream with more conviction than I previously thought was even possible.”
“The DV HR Alto can deftly cover a full sonic spectrum, from ringing brightness to subdued dark tones……”
To read the review in full please Click Here.
JODYJAZZ ARTIST TESTIMONIALS
Ryan Burrage
Ryan Burrage on the JodyJazz HR* Clarinet: “I play the JodyJazz HR* 9 Clarinet mouthpiece on all of my gigs. My style, partially rooted in the New Orleans Creole clarinet tradition, requires a larger tip opening than what is available from other mouthpiece manufacturers. Projection is fabulous and intonation is spot on with a beautiful tone. It is a free-blowing clarinet mouthpiece that you don’t need to fight to play. I also use the Chedeville Kaspar CB1 64mm, 65mm, and 66mm clarinet barrels. While these barrels do indeed look cool, they actually help with projection and intonation. I always have these 3 barrels in my case to help with intonation as needed.” Ryan Burrage on the JodyJazz JodyJazz GIANT Garzone Signature Model 10* and SUPER JET Tenor 9*: “When I’m called to play tenor for more traditional jazz/swing work, I play the JodyJazz GIANT Garzone Signature Model 10*. As Jody describes it, the mouthpiece provides a BIG sound, but not LOUD. I find it is well-balanced throughout the range, blends well with the ensemble, and the larger tip opening helps with projection. Intonation is spot on and it is very free-blowing, despite the larger tip. If I am called for more R&B/Jump Swing styles, I use the Super Jet 9*. I first tried the Super Jet at JEN 2020 in New Orleans at the JodyJazz booth, and I was blown away with the projection, tone, and intonation. It’s a mouthpiece that turns heads and definitely has a “wow” factor. As is the case with all of Jody’s mouthpieces, it is also free-blowing and easy to play.” Ryan Burrage on the JodyJazz DV Soprano Sax Mouthpiece: “Jody, got the DV 8* soprano mouthpiece today. Wow! Just wow! As you know, I’m heavily influenced by Sidney Bechet, and this mouthpiece gets me as close to that sound as I think you can get! I also will use a slightly harder reed to achieve a mellower sound in a more contemporary setting. Overall, this is the most flexible soprano sax mouthpiece I’ve ever tried – the best of both worlds.” Ryan Burrage on the JodyJazz DV Alto Sax Mouthpiece: “I’m loving the DV 8. Tonal flexibility and complexity at its best. I can play contemporary or traditional with this mouthpiece, depending on my approach. If I push it, it wails – if I lay back on it, it’s just a beautiful mellow sound. Everything from Bird to Earl Bostic and beyond can be covered with this mouthpiece!” Ryan Burrage on the JodyJazz DV Tenor Sax Mouthpiece: “Tenor saxophones, and mouthpieces for that matter, are tricky for me. Perhaps it’s because of the wide array of influences I have on tenor. I tend to use a different mouthpiece on tenor for different scenarios. If I want to wail and honk, I use the DV 9*. If it’s a Zoot Sims, more mellow type of sound I’m looking for, I’ll use the DVNY 9*.” Ryan Burrage on the JodyJazz DV Baritone Sax Mouthpiece: “I don’t get to play baritone sax too much, but when I do, I use the DV 9. Because I don’t play bari a lot, I need it to be ready to play when I pick it up, and that’s exactly what the DV 9 does for me – it practically plays itself! Other than the size of the horn, I generally feel as though I am playing alto or tenor, and forget about the fact that I’m playing the much larger baritone sax! Thanks a lot!”
MAGAZINE REVIEWS
DV HR Alto – AUGUST 2023
Customer Reviews
Awesome!
"I’ve been a longtime fan and user of JodyJazz mouthpieces and this DV HR is my favorite one yet! It has all the qualities of the original DV but with the comfort of a hard rubber mouthpiece. This DV HR has become my go to piece and works great in all situations and styles. Thank you JodyJazz for yet another great product!"
-Bill Harris
Do yourself a favor and purchase a DV HR Alto
Every serious saxophone player has been on the same journey that I myself have been on. Some travel this journey for a few years, some, as myself, take over a decade. That journey is to find not only that certain "sound" they hear in the back of there mind but that certain "feel" that comes from from deep inside their soul (so to speak.) I've been playing sax for nearly 30 years, have played many professional grade mouthpieces and finally I can say I found it. My most recent MP was Theo Wanne Mindi Abair model on my alto. It was a great mouthpiece but I still was missing that certain something but couldn't put my finger on it. I considered many options but after a little research and listening to Jody E. Demo the DV HR It really intrigued me, so what else could I do except order one. It arrived in the mail. I placed my Legere signature series read on the mouthpiece and this thing is amazing. I can play this thing with Soulful beauty or push it to the edge of screaming pop or rock sounds, and to top it off I can say that I have never played a MP that plays so easily. No more headaches after playing, which was becoming a problem as I get older. Do yourself a favor and purchase one. I don't see how it can get any better. You will enjoy. I think I will put my other mp to rest.
-Todd Woodard