Mouthpieces Topics for developing students

Discussions on mouthpieces are inherently dangerous. The danger lies in the overzealous student who rushes out and tries the suggestions below simply for the sake of trying them. Variety in life is great, but in trumpet playing it can be disastrous. Each player is different, and what works for one player may be totally unsuitable for another. Maynard Ferguson's custom Monette mouthpiece gives him a sound about as big and powerful as you can imagine. His mouthpiece design however is so radically extreme that I literally can't make a sound on it! I use this example to stress that the following points should be considered for what they are: My experiences, preferences, and observations! You may gain some value from what I have found works for me. Ideally a mouthpiece switch for a developing player should be undertaken with the advice of a teacher. With that in mind, and a good dose of common sense, read on!

My basic philosophy on mouthpieces is fairly simple. If I had to boil it down, it could be summed up in the following statement:

Avoid wasting time, energy, and money constantly messing around with different mouthpieces. Find a mouthpiece that works for you and then forget about it.

Read those last 2 sentences again. (Don't worry I'll wait...) OK now let's read on for some further comments on the subject.

I have seen otherwise sensible rational trumpeters, lose all common sense when it comes to trumpet mouthpieces. This is compounded by the fact that there are dozens and dozens of off the shelf and custom mouthpiece options available to the trumpet player today. I have known cats who have shoe boxes full of mouthpieces. With analytical fervor, they pull each one out, explaining the exact situation, musical style, range in the staff, time of day, and phase of the moon when they would use that particular 'piece. Why would someone make life so complicated for themselves?

All joking aside, there are in fact, times and reasons for a mouthpiece switch. For a beginning or intermediate player there is usually,  (but not always), a progression to a larger size mouthpiece as the player develops, grows, builds embouchure (lip) strength, and improves. Consistency is very important to the beginning / intermediate player. Constant haphazard mouthpiece switches are an easy way to upset a consistent program of development. I usually find that for the vast majority of beginners the generic "7C" size mouthpiece that was supplied with their trumpet is an adequate beginner mouthpiece.

The fatal danger is always being on the lookout for the magic mouthpiece that will solve all the players problems. Here's what typically happens:

• Player finds a "high note" mouthpiece he is convinced will make him the next Maynard Ferguson.

• Player uses the new mouthpiece a week or two and finds they have gone backwards in terms of range, endurance, and tone quality, which in fact can happen when working in a new mouthpiece.

• Player panics because of an upcoming rehearsal or concert and switches back to the "old reliable" mouthpiece.

• Player finds out that "old reliable" feels different now because they have partly acclimatized to the new wunderpiece.

• Player seeks yet another mouthpiece to fix his problems. The downward spiral of mouthpiece phobia is now established. This trumpet player is now a likely candidate for switching to (GASP!) the clarinet!

Some trumpeters will counter the above sad scenario by saying to me: "but Lew Soloff plays lots of different mouthpieces all the time!" and I say to you: "very few of us have the natural gifts of a Lew Soloff!".

Professional players have the experience and knowledge to use different mouthpieces for different jobs. Furthermore, most players using multiple mouthpieces will use the same rim size for each 'piece they play. The difference may be in a slightly different backbore or cup depth. By utilizing the same rim the mouthpiece will actually "setup" the same way for the player. There may only be a slightly different feel in the blow or the way the mouthpiece tunes. The player with years of experience and a very well developed set of "chops" will not be adversely affected.

Most amateur or recreational players do not need to be able to execute the wide extreme of styles and situations that many pros are called upon to perform. Furthermore, many pros DO use one mouthpiece for all their playing!

When a mouthpiece change is truly needed, I believe the best thing is to do it cold turkey and stick to it. Bury the old mouthpiece in the yard or freeze it in a bowl of water. Better yet, sell it if you can to partially pay for the new one. If you tell all your trumpet player friends that they will instantly be able to play double high C with ease, you will have no trouble selling it! (OK...before you yell at me, that last sentence was just a little trumpet player dark humour).

Perhaps at the suggestion of your teacher or through your own evaluation based on experience and a clear objective, you have decided it is time to make a switch. I have found there is a way to proceed which removes much of the emotional component. This may work for you too. Remember, you want to do this based on what will give you the best results, not what looks coolest, or what some famous jazz player uses!

First, bring along 1 or more trumpet player friends you respect and trust. If you have a teacher that can help you with this, great. Second, pick out an assortment of mouthpieces that theoretically will help you achieve your desired results. I also like to throw in a couple of ridiculously extreme 'pieces as a sort of control measure, but this is optional. Third, start trying out mouthpieces, but try them in the following way.

1. Put on a blindfold or do something that prevents you from seeing which mouthpiece you are playing. Have your friend put each  mouthpiece on the horn and hand it to you. Keep track of each one giving it a name, say, #1, #2, #3 etc.
2. Try all of them once and eliminate the obvious rejects, keeping in mind your goals and objectives for the switch.
3. Assess in your mind what you like about each one and get feedback from your friends. They are after all on the business end of the horn!
4. Take your time and rest often. You want to make a choice based on how it sounds, and it is difficult to sound your best if you hammer away at it and let your chops get tired.
5. Do this until you have determined the winner

I personally have 3 different mouthpieces I use. They are all based on the same rim design, so there is no difference in how the mouthpiece sets up on my lips. I use my main 'piece for 90% of my playing.

OK maybe I sound a bit hypocritical here. Especially after all my pontificating about finding one mouthpiece and sticking to it. Well, you might be right, but remember, I have been playing the trumpet for many years, and I have an understanding of the implications of what I am doing. I have only switched mouthpieces 4 times since I started. The first time, admittedly, I didn't have a clue what I was doing. I wanted to play high and loud. I went to the music store and simply bought the mouthpiece that produced the highest, loudest note! It makes me cringe just thinking about it! The next 2 times were for very specific and necessary reasons, under the guidance of renowned, seasoned teachers. My last switch to the mouthpieces I play now was in preparation for getting a new horn and optimizing the potential sound possibilities of my new trumpet.

I hope this article has given you some ideas if you ever need to switch mouthpieces. More importantly, I hope it has emphasized the need for caution and clear thinking regarding trumpet mouthpiece selection and the need to avoid mouthpiece phobias!

Regards,

Terry.