New Mouthpiece Xeno Cornet - A above staff

[Twick85]

I play a Yamaha Xeno Cornet, usually with a Denis Wick 4B. Solo Cornet/ Principal.

The A above staff is a tricky tone on this instrument, and is starting to annoy me. It can be very difficult to hit the A directly, seem to be out of center. So I want to try other mouthpieces which maybe can reduce this problem. Is there any else with the same problem which has changed mouthpiece with a better result?

V. Bach 3C ?
V. Bach 3B ?
Yamaha 16E ?

Anyone tried the new
CR-Neo16E-M ?
CR-Neo16Trd-M ?

I appreciate all good experiences and advices

[TKSop]

On the older Maestro cornets that A was even more of a pig...

Every mouthpiece is a compromise - there's nothing inherently wrong with trying different ones, just don't expect anything to be better at everything!

The 16E is a good mouthpiece, quite a wide ID though - you might prefer the 14E if your 4B is a good fit.


I wouldn't go the Bach route, tone will be brighter than desired on most players.
If you like the rim on a Bach 3c, you might like the Curry 3BBC which has a similar rim with a brass band friendly cup.

[etc-etc]

In the list below, the 1st harmonic is the pedal tone which is difficult to play on trumpet and cornet but easy to play on flugelhorn and trombone. The 2nd harmonic is the lowest note normally playable with a particular fingering; for 0 valve position (no valves engaged) it will be C below staff (concert Bb).

0: no valves
1: 1st valve
1+2: 1st and 2nd valve
3: 3rd valve etc.

Gif images do not display on TH, follow the links:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Music/imgmus/trum3.gif
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Music/imgmus/braa.gif

The A above staff, played as 8th harmonic with 1+2 does not respond well / is not centering. This is also a common problem on Yamaha Maestro cornets that precede the Xeno range.

If the problem is with 8th harmonic, it may be possible to go around it by using an alternate fingering with a different harmonic.

With 8th harmonic, how is the centering on:
C above staff with 0 (no valves)?
B above staff with 2?
Bb above staff with 1?
Ab above staff with 2+3?

As long as you can comfortably play 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th harmonics with 0 (no valves), A above staff may be played as:

a) 7th harmonic: 0, lipped down - one of those cases where you really need a tune-all trigger which would prevent the need for lipping - sharp;

b) 7th harmonic: 2, lipped up (very tough because slot is narrow, but might work) - flat;

c) 8th harmonic: 1, fully triggered and lipped down - worth a try - sharp;

d) 8th harmonic: 1+2, perhaps slightly triggered (default) - does not respond well;

e) 8th harmonic: 3 (alternate from 1+2) - likely flat;

f) 9th harmonic: 2+3 (lip down, extend fully 3rd trigger) - likely sharp;

g) 9th harmonic: 1+3 (trigger if sharp) - should be in tune;

h) 10th harmonic: 1+2+3, fully triggered both 1 and 3; lipped down - likely sharp but if the trigger throw is sufficient, in tune.

Side note: the Xeno cornet has rather short trigger throw, particularly on 1st valve. A pitchfinder would be very nice to have.

This video from 2013 by Austin Custom Brass show the tune-all / pitchfinder trigger on Adams cornet (this would be fantastic to use with 7th harmonic - if triggered tuning slide extends far enough):


Link