GR Mouthpieces

gabriel127 · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 8:34 am Post subject: GR Mouthpieces

I've seen/heard stories of a few people who have tried GR mouthpieces, felt good on them when they tried them out, but then when they started playing them in gig situations, their endurance would take a nose dive halfway through the gig and would get to the point where they almost couldn't get a sound.

Is there some special way that these mouthpieces have to be played and in order to avoid this? In other words, backing off a little bit and drawing the lips in, like a roll in and not allowing them to protrude into the mouthpiece as much? Any light that anyone could shed on this would be appreciated. I've tried the GRs and found one that I liked, but I'm reluctant to buy one until I can have some comfort level that I'll be able to stick with it over the long term.

Richard A · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 8:55 am Post subject: GR Mouthpieces

I've been playing a GR mouthpiece for several years, after a fitting session with Alexa Yates. The only thing I ever noticed was improvement in my playing

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Richard Ashmore
I am a Mechanical Engineer and have many years of Social Distancing experience.

DrJay · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:21 am Post subject: GR Mouthpieces

I've been using GR on my horns for several years now. Endurance went way up playing lead as well as significant improvements in tuning, especially on my pic. While no one thing is for everyone, don't let haters get in your head, these are truly fabulous mouthpieces....

B. Scriver · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:28 am Post subject:

It could be that they did not have the correct fit and that will kill a player on any brand of mouthpiece. Also know that GR's are very efficient. You can actually back off a bit more than you can on other mouthpiece designs.

I have never had any customers contact me with the issues you were told about.

Brian Scriver
www.grmouthpieces.com

snichols · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 9:58 am Post subject: Re: GR Mouthpieces

hose · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2017 10:41 am Post subject: Re: GR Mouthpieces

ScottA · Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 8:04 am Post subject:

Dave-glad the GR is working well for you. It was good to see you again!

I have heard of only one situation where this happened and the player (without a consult) unknowingly started playing a GR with a much lower alpha angle than his previous piece. I guess he just really liked the initial sound but without the support of the higher alpha angle his chops just gave up on him after a bit.

Even a simple looking mouthpiece is a "system" and all parts have to work for the player to get the most efficient results.
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Scott Apelgren
Indialantic, FL

hose · Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2017 8:47 am Post subject:

brassidol · Regular Member Joined: 05 Apr 2005 Posts: 24

What you have described sounds much more like a malfitted mouthpiece which would cause trouble no matter the brand.

Another possibility is that the player is trying to achieve a sound behind the horn that they are used to when playing their normal mouthpiece with whoever they play with. When our new equipment does not give them the same feedback we force the tone wihout knowing we are doing it.

To know whether the equipment is good. Play efficiently and then have ears in the audience or a quality recording tell you what is coming through.

I would say avoid thinking about physical things to do to play the GR. It is a mouthpiece, just play and evaluate when you are not playing.
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gabriel127 · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 2:03 pm Post subject: Re: GR Mouthpieces

PH · Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2017 5:57 pm Post subject: Re: GR Mouthpieces

matahaka · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 7:22 am Post subject: Re: GR Mouthpieces

jengstrom · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 8:01 am Post subject: Re: GR Mouthpieces

hose · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 9:15 am Post subject: Re: GR Mouthpieces

Arjuna · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2017 1:08 pm Post subject:

In very dead rooms it helps to go to a more lively set up. The set up should be less effort and produce more results with plenty of zip and zing.

VetPsychWars · Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 4:54 am Post subject:

I had a bad fitting by one consultant very early in my comeback and a good fitting by another consultant many years later.

If the player sucks, as I did then, the fitting, if given, might not have worked.

The two pieces? 66M (too big) versus 65M (just right). Such a small change....

Tom
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1950 Buescher Lightweight 400 Trumpet
1949 Buescher 400 Trumpet
1939 Buescher 400 Cornet
GR65M, GR65 Cor #1

Brad361 · Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 6:09 am Post subject:

I switched to a GR Carl Fischer Jazz Rockstar about a year and a half ago.
It works well for me/for what I do. It works, nothing miraculous, I don't believe any mouthpiece is.

Brad
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When asked if he always sounds great:
"I always try, but not always, because the horn is merciless, unpredictable and traitorous." - Arturo Sandoval

dstdenis · Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2017 6:17 am Post subject:

I've found that I can tell whether a new mouthpiece will work for me fairly soon, but it can take awhile to become fully acclimated to it, regardless of who made the piece. During the time I'm trying to get used to it, I'm careful about conserving my energy so I don't run out of gas in the middle of a performance or rehearsal. So yeah, I might back off a bit, but I wouldn't manipulate my embouchure differently.
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Bb Yamaha Xeno 8335IIS
Cornet Getzen Custom 3850S
Flugelhorn Courtois 155R
Piccolo Stomvi

tomtrum · Posted: Fri Sep 01, 2017 5:23 pm Post subject: GR Experience

Great discussion about an important link in the chain for important music.

I purchased a GR63Z* for my Schilke B1 b flat trumpet after having a consultation with Pierre at Charlie Melks shop in West Allis Wisconsin. In my small jazz ensembles playing at fund raisers, country clubs, and libraries, I found this MP very satisfying with jazz swing "standards" of the 40s thru the 70s, playing the lead. I think the fit
initially was ok but I stumbled on a slight variation when I visited Dillon's
Music in NJ. So the 63Z became a 63Z*which gave me more efficiency in the upper range. I firmly believe that with any new MP, one has to work with it for the purposes you intended to use it for and keep at it. However, with the GR, I didn't really have a "break in" period as it seemed to nicely fit in with my mouth and embouchure. Now its my "daily driver" for my trumpet!

The flugelhorn situation is an ongoing saga where I'm still looking for the deepest sounding FL mp. Guess it comes down to the Flip Oaks X5FL MP
which I cannot find a used one. And Mr. Oakes only sells new and only direct with no returns possible. I tried the GR among others and they feel comfortable but without the deep sound I'm looking for. Hope I can find a used Flip Oaks X5FL "standard" model MP with a large morse (whatever that means!). Will be using it with a Wiseman 600 flugel which I'm about to take possession of.

I hope to continue this discussion with others as the opportunity presents itself. Call me if anyone wants to chat.
Regards,
Tom Kieren
Oak Ridge, NJ
Tel: 973-214-6473

CJceltics33 · Veteran Member Joined: 24 Aug 2017 Posts: 475

Any good GR mouthpiece dealers that have trials? The only I found is Dillons, which doesn't have the 64M I am looking to try.