"Cheater" Mouthpiece

starkadder · Heavyweight Member Joined: 01 May 2008 Posts: 542

Consider whether you are getting the range you need to get with the sound you want to have.

For a while I was using a Curry 50M. High notes were easier, a bit. But after my teacher commented that my tone was really bright, I re-evaluated my equipment. I wanted a more pleasant sound and I am now using a Laskey 70MD, which is a little deeper than a C. I will still use the Curry when I need a little extra security, but I acknowledge that comes at the expense of my tone.

iiipopes · Heavyweight Member Joined: 29 Jun 2015 Posts: 549

What the general consensus of thread is: there is no such thing as a "cheater" mouthpiece. Whatever and however a player plays, it takes proper fundamentals of technique, embouchure conditioning and breath support.

Many times what is really necessary is a proper fitting of a mouthpiece by a qualified person, who can take the mouthpiece currently being played, ask a few questions about how it plays for the player, and then adjust one or more mouthpiece parameters to better fit the player's embouchure and help with efficiency of breath support.

And that can change over time. As I got older, the venerable 3C didn't work for me anymore. I was getting too tired. After consulting a friend who specialized in teaching beginning band and fitting instruments, we talked over everything: current technique, current conditioning, breath support. It was the breath support that was the problem, as we all lose vital capacity as we get older (I am in my 50's, and was trying to play the same mouthpiece I did in high school). He suggested a slightly tighter backbore. So since I did like the traditional 3C feel, I purchased a custom 3C with the slightly tighter #76 backbore instead of the standard #10 backbore, and to keep velocity of the airstream, slightly opened up the throat from the stock 27 to about halfway between a 27 and a 26, like Curry does - the "wobbly 27." I now have the efficiency to play like I used to. Larger range? No, but I never had that much range to begin with. Do my fingers move faster? Well, probably from a couple of years ago, because I now play more that it is more comfortable. More endurance? Yes, because not only does the backbore match my current ability to provide breath support, but again, because it is more comfortable, I play more.

It is no different than a suit: I wear a 42R. I am not going to be comfortable in a 40R or a 44L. And yes, the pants will have to be let out a bit. But once it is fitted, you don't have to tug at it anywhere, you just look good.

If instead of mouthpiece safaris, striving for a "cheater" cure, or anything else, spending a session with a trained mouthpiece fitter and purchasing what fits will go much further to help a player, just like the standard, and true advise on any other point: consult a good teacher.

OK. So much for my rant on mouthpieces.
_________________
King Super 20 Trumpet; Sov 921 Cornet
Bach cornet modded to be a 181L clone
Couesnon Flugelhorn and C trumpet

Sharkbaitboi · Posted: Fri Sep 28, 2018 1:49 pm Post subject:

Get the GR fix

Seymor B Fudd · Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2018 2:47 am Post subject:

Brad361 · Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2018 6:37 am Post subject:

Rod Haney · Heavyweight Member Joined: 22 Aug 2015 Posts: 937

The only cheater mouthpiece I have found is the Wedge, and that’s not a cheater just a better sounding piece for me.

I struggled like forever with a 7c size piece with no range higher than weak hi g’s usually e or f and had to use so much pressure I could only play up there for less than an hour, not exactly Woody Herman material. Then I started playing mp’s in the .620 range and a shallow cup. The range became much easier, but everything else started sounding better to. Low register clearer and fuller, just everything sounded better and became easier to do. Also I use very little pressure anymore. I have an instructor who is a Symphony principal and plays a 1.5d because that matches the sound he needs for his primary gig, but has no issues with smaller depending on what he has to play. He was surprised that such a radical piece had improvements across the board and said he really had not seen it happen with his other students saying there was usually some sort of trade off in moving so drastically. His take was that my lips and everything were better matched for that piece and that I should stay with what works. So - is a MP that is too small for over 90% of players a cheater or just the mp I need? My tone is as deep and full on the smallest Bach as his is on one of the largest. I should also mention I play a 25 throat, the previous mp’s I played had smaller throats.. I’m not smart enough to know which specific factor made the difference, but one or both did make a difference.
My .02$
Rod

Sharkbaitboi · Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2018 3:00 pm Post subject:

JeffM729 · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 3:28 am Post subject:

The System Blue mouthpieces were designed by the 18 time DCI champions, the Blue Devils for use in the world of marching. If your instructor has no idea about your mouthpiece, the Blue Devils, and it’s intended use, then perhaps you should inform him of the facts.

Brad361 · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 6:14 am Post subject:

Sharkbaitboi · Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2018 7:49 am Post subject:

Rod Haney · Heavyweight Member Joined: 22 Aug 2015 Posts: 937

Quit🤯

Lionel · Heavyweight Member Joined: 25 Jul 2016 Posts: 783

Sharkbaitboi · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 11:51 pm Post subject:

If you're not getting a ring from playing trumpet, you're doing something wrong. I would actually get some kind of safe nonpermanent marker and draw it on if you dont have it

omelet · Veteran Member Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 245

Despite the sentiment given here, the whole discussion is predicated on a perceived wince given by an instructor upon supposedly looking at a mouthpiece.
It might in reality be nothing to do with the mouthpiece or instructor. Maybe you are self conscious about the mouthpiece? Are you sure the guy winced? Maybe he had something in his eye! You could talk to him about it.

Brad361 · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2018 7:36 am Post subject:

GideonJazz · New Member Joined: 08 Oct 2018 Posts: 5 Location: Detroit

There is no such thing as a "cheaters" mouthpiece, but always go with what works best for you. I know some guys who play bach 10c's, so it's all subjective.

Sharkbaitboi · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2018 7:03 pm Post subject:

The bach symphonic line is good for cheater mouthpieces

wilder · Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2021 11:50 pm Post subject:

trickg · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2021 6:23 am Post subject:

marathoner · Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2021 7:31 am Post subject:

After watching "Chase" live (in-person) I was utterly amazed ! I was a junior in high school. Then I heard about "cheater" mouthpieces and someone told me, "Yeah, that's how they all can hit the high notes so easily". I was so excited to find the "Keys to the High Note Kingdom". I went to my local music store , grabbed an "a" cup Schilke mouthpiece and proceeded to not even be able to play a note - let alone a High C. End of "Cheater" story for me ! Moral - no shortcuts, just utter respect for the dedication required to play at that level !