Trumpet Mouthpiece for a somewhat newbee?

[lightcs]

Hello all,
I used to play trumpet for 8 years during my schooling but 33 years later I am bringing it back out to start playing again. My question is, I only had a Bach 7C when I played all those wonderful 8 years and want to know what should I use now? Keep with the 7C or change to 3C or a different size? What would be the recommendation to start using again? Since I already have the 7C should I just use that for the time being or would it be better to go to a different size, if so, which one? Had I known back in my schooling days to change sizes (my HS teacher was a putz as he never taught us music theory just playing).

Please, any help would be appreciated!
Thank you in advance!

[Jerry]

If you weren't having problems using the 7C back in the day, you might as well use it now.

Or you could begin the never-ending (and expensive) quest for the perfect mouthpiece. I'm particularly fond of GR Mouthpieces: https://www.grmouthpieces.com/Default.asp
They ain't cheap.

You might find a teacher and start taking lessons. The teacher might, or might not, have an opinion on how the 7C is working for you. You'll probably get a lot better real quick with a good teacher.

[Brad361]

Private lessons will help you a LOT, and as mentioned above you can probably address the mouthpiece questions with that person.

If the “ putz” you’re referring to was your band director, I wonder how much music theory you thought he should be teaching? Hey, the guy may in fact might have been incompetent, I have no way of knowing, but music theory classes in high school are just that, separate classes.

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

[O00Joe]

A good place to start is honestly a Bach 7C. Kind of a standard then move from there.

The "standard" next step would be to try a Bach 1.5C, 3C, 5C, and 10.5C as they all go towards a certain direction in shape and depth that will help you hone in on what tendencies work well for you. I would argue the Curry equivalents are almost as good as a base to start with but the default blank on those makes it somewhat less "standard".

There's a post that was recently active about people's "journeys" if you want a small sample of what a person's mouthpiece history is like.
_________________
1981 Bb Bach Stradivarius 37/25 ML raw - Laskey 60C
2003 C Bach Stradivarius 239/25A L silver - Stork Vacchiano 4C25C
2006 Bb/A Schilke Piccolo P5-4 silver - Reeves A adaptor - Stork SM SP6
Akai MPC Live II
Roland JD-Xi
Casio MT-68

[jadickson]

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is a good policy. Try the 3C if you want to satisfy your curiosity, but it is not important right now. The important thing right now is getting daily practice to develop your fundamentals. You can do that on a 7C or a 3C. Once you establish a correct embouchure and breathing technique, you can obsess about equipment like the rest of us.

I am a middle school band director and have a lot of stuff on my website you might find useful. Steal anything you want: www.JustinDickson.com/Band

Have fun!
_________________
Justin Dickson
Middle school band director. Still learning.
www.BandmateTuner.com

[Bill_Bumps]

I will second the recommendations for thr Bach 7C. I have played clarinet since I was eight years old (I'm 71 now), but recently (four months ago) decided to take up trumpet as well. I have found the 7C to be a good starting mouthpiece with plenty of flexibility.

[TNTrumpeter]

I'll echo everyone else. There's nothing wrong with a 7C, particularly if you used it in the past and don't know any specific reason to change. Get the horn on your face and start playing. Practice will make much more of an impact than any switch in mouthpiece size.

[kehaulani]

I might add an alternative without departing, altogether, with the above recommendations.

The Schilke 11 is basically the same size as a Bach 7C but has a rim configuration that some find more comfortable than a Bach 7C.

I went to a Schilke 11 and immediately felt it was more friendly.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn

[grune]

I would never recommend a 7C to anyone. I know this from experience: too narrow, too deep, too sharp. You are far better off choosing a 3E or 3D. I am not alone in this, to wit.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGzGJt03bCQ
_________________
Bach Stradivarius, 180S37 (Silver Model 37 Bb), ML75618, purchased new in 1972.

[kehaulani]

Ah, Curt Thompson. Fair and Balanced.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet
Adams F-1 Flghn