Are directional instruments doomed?
I play in a small combo a couple times a year (in a different country with friends) and I find every time that I get feedback that I couldn't be heard as loud as other instruments.
Got out of a great jam today but I was absolutely blowing my chops out to get enough volume, pushing almost against double buzzing and an overly brash sound... And even then I heard that I wasn't as loud.
Saxes have the advantage of an instrument where the sound comes from the whole instrument. All the instruments are the same (piano/drums) or better yet, have amps (bass/guitar). We're also a bit disadvantaged in the mechanics of articulation and endurance especially when playing high pitches at high volumes for a long time.
I use a Stork T2 which is a relatively shallow and conical mouthpiece that's on the brighter side, faster and sharper attack.
Short of getting a microphone and speaker (since the setup doesn't make it very easy).….. what do I need to do to get my volume to match? Is it just a matter of practicing playing loud a lot? Do I need to try to use a horn with a larger bell?
The quality of my improvisation and sound suffers because of having to blast. And then the people my bell isn't facing don't even hear me.