I just can't find a mouthpiece that works for me :-(

jonalan · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 4:15 am Post subject:

Stop switching mouthpieces. Find a middle of the road piece (a 3C is fine) and forget about it...for a long, long time. The problems you are having have very little to do with the mouthpiece.
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tpter1 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 873

Specialty horns like Taylor need mouthpieces that match their weight and configuration. (Agreeing with what Shofarguy said...). I am certain this is what you are responding to. Either contact Andy Taylor (I'm sure he'll take care of you and be able to match what you need) or simplify the set-up. It could also be that you are not necessarily a match for the horn I say that not knowing how you play or how you approach the instrument. That is, after all, why one purchases a custom horn- so it can match their approach.
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stanton · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:57 am Post subject:

Though I find it difficult to disagree with JM's logic and approach, it seems you are in the development stage of your playing. But based on what you're saying it seems like your playing is in the development stage. As I stated earlier, I would *strongly* encourage you to seek out an EXPERIENCED teacher who has a track record of developing students.

I can only speak from experience, but once you develop a bad set of mechanical habits it can take a lot to get you on the right track. Bad mechanics can haunt you for a lifetime and NO mouthpiece will ever be right. The one thing that causes me to agree with JM which was implied, but not directly stated was that by centering on ONE mouthpiece (3C is a middle-of-the-road type) you are then forced to focus on your playing and not so much your equipment. The truth is that ultimately, no matter what equipment you play on, in the end you still play and sound like you.

Good luck-
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Brian Moon · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 7:16 am Post subject:

The best advice in this thread has come from Greg and me.
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cheiden · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 8:26 am Post subject:

If you're having some success with the Schilke 14F on your flugel then that's not a bad place to start with your trumpet. I'd recommend getting a standard cup Schilke 14C4 or medium cup 14B4 and see how that goes. I'd advise staying away from the "A" cup and the "a" backbore, at least for now. The 14A4a is kind of a specilty piece and doesn't work for everybody and in all situations.

FWIW, I tend to prefer the similarly numbered Yamaha pieces. They're not exactly the same as the Schilkes but I think the sound and feel are somewhat better, at for me. And to echo what others have said, a Bach 3C isn't too far from the Schilke 14F size and it works for reasonably well for a whole lot of players. Definitely worth considering.
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BJones · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:35 am Post subject:

If you do decide to stick with the Taylor, and it is a heavyweight model (weighs more than 3.5lbs) I would get a heavy mouthpiece as well.

Dave Monette is onto something with horn weight and mouthpiece weight being balanced... You would probably find a Bach Megatone 3C to work better than a normal one if you had a heavy horn.

I would agree with other posters however... If you are playing a Taylor, and haven't found a mouthpiece that works for you, time to get a stock horn and figure that part out.

BJones
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jetjaguar · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 9:40 am Post subject:

7C and don't look back

nordlandstrompet · Posted: Wed Jun 22, 2011 11:18 am Post subject:

The Taylor Chicago Custom is the heaviest horn Andy makes.
It weighs appr 4 lbs.....

The best idea for the OP is to contact Andy about the mouthpiece question.
I can't see (with my best will) that buying a Bach or use a Bach XYC mp can
solve the question he has asked about mouthpieces for his Taylor Custom trumpet.

The mp receiver on Taylors have appr 0.2mm overall smaller diameter,
which, as someone mentioned earlier, makes the gap too big with a standard mouthpiece.
0.1mm difference in diameter one or the other way means appr 2mm bigger/smaller gap.

Andy knows all about this matter.... Call him!

http://www.taylortrumpets.com/chicago_custom.html
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tpter1 · Heavyweight Member Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 873

The best advice I've seen is "call Andy". A mouthpiece is definitely cheaper than a horn.
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"Character is the backbone of human culture, and music is the flowering of human character". -Confucious

lburrows · Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 10:55 am Post subject:

chuck in ny · Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 5:01 pm Post subject:

any player... any time... anyhow... should be able to produce a good job using a normal, balanced mouthpiece.
i'd give a shot at the '3' size in a normal medium cup. a schilke 14, without the a, an inexpensive kelly 3c, the curry 3c.
you might find it advantageous to downsize to the 5 or 7 size and it will not be a radical step.
the advantage of having a NORMAL baseline mouthpiece that you KNOW you can play is it gives you the middle ground that you can then go one way or the other from.... gee, maybe i can play bigger/smaller, maybe i should play shallower/deeper, maybe i should have a tighter/looser backbore.
get some experience with a normal C cup and always keep it on the shelf if you change to something else. it will be your baseline, and prevent you from going nuts. we've all been there. ..chuck

Jericho · Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 12:29 am Post subject:

Thanks for the input guys

Since I am only working part-time atm, a Kelly 7C might fit the bill right now - I will make contact with Andy this coming week & check out his site too

Jericho.

BrianCade · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 12:42 am Post subject:

The Schilke 6a4a will solve all your problems, cure your warts and bring you unlimited wealth. Seriously dude, find the biggest mouthpiece you can handle and STICK WITH IT! Quit grailquesting.

irith · Heavyweight Member Joined: 14 Sep 2008 Posts: 791

I would really, honestly probably tell you to sell the Taylor and get a more standard horn. Something that's in the "under 3 grand new" category. Then get a middle of the road piece (3C of some sort, maybe a Schilke 14) and stick with it. Put everything else you own equipment-wise away, and stick with it for 6 months, practicing at least an hour a day. Do not put in another piece even once.

Then come back to us if you still have "equipment" issues and we'll see.

Trust me, I know the feeling of mouthpiece confusion and I basically did the above to get out of it.
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nieuwguyski · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 1:14 am Post subject:

I would hope the OP has made a decision, one way or another, in the year-and-several-months since he last posted in this thread.
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John Mohan · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 5:04 am Post subject:

VetPsychWars · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 5:54 am Post subject:

Jericho · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 7:18 am Post subject:

Hi all,
Yes, it has been a long time since I have replied!
In the end I bought a Schilke 12b4 - It works just right (for me). I still have my VB 1.25c, but I find that I still have control and better range now

Thanks for all your comments guys

Jericho.

cheiden · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 7:59 am Post subject: