Mouthpiece for 2nd/ 3rd in bigband

Heinz

I'm still searching for 'the best' mouthpiece for my application. I'm playing for over 20 years as an amateur in community band and bigband. Since the birth of my first child only in big band as 2nd or 3rd.

I have played the Yammie 11B4 extensively on both my Yam 5335 and B&S 3143/2. I like the 11B4, but I find it lacking a bit of volume and zing. It doesn't seem to be the best bigband mouthpiece.

So I tried the Yammie 11A4 which sounds a little clearer, but the rim also feels a bit sharper. So it's quite exhausting in the long run. I also played the VB 3C which I like the most in sound. But I find it also a bit exhausting in the higher parts.

I also have a flugel with a DW 4BFL mouthpiece. The rim on that piece feels flatter than the 11A4 and 3C. and thus more comfortable. Should I look for a fitting DW trumpet MP, like the DW 4C? Or are there better alternatives?

mograph · Veteran Member Joined: 17 Feb 2020 Posts: 137

I think you want a flatter or wider rim than the 11A4.

Below is the mouthpiece comparator, with the 11B4 (no A on the page, sorry) against the Yammy Miyashiro. I found the Miyashiro stuffy at first (too small), but on big band lead, it became quite easy to blow once I really put some air through it. In my case at least, it responded to a strong blow, but when I tried it in concert band with quieter dynamics, it got stuffy again. Maybe that's me.

Anyway, check out the rim.

https://trumpet.cloud/mpc/index.html?mpc1id=VA913443&mpc2id=VB913487&backcolor=blue
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zaferis · Posted: Tue May 07, 2024 4:57 am Post subject:

The mouthpiece won't be a solution.. but an aid to get you where you want to be.. part of the picture is the instrument too -good horns (both that you've mentioned) but in a sense you're pushing an off the assembly line Chevy into a race with custom Ferrari's.

I like the B4 mouthpieces of Yamana (hate the a4a design for 99.9999% of players) maybe try a 14B4 a little bigger in diameter may help with bigness of sound. Bach 3C is not a bad mouthpiece for the second/third chair, the rim is a bit shaper than the 14B4 and may be why you feel it's more fatiguing.

So my mouthpiece guidance would be stick with the 11B4, try a 14B4 (possibly the heavy weight model), then, if you want to extend the safari, try a Curry 3C. If the Curry works for you then you can safely experiment with different cup and backbore setups within the Curry 3 series (within a series, the rims are the same shape - unlike say the Yamaha 11 or 14 series). Start with a 3C then try a 3* (star)

Endurance is a equally or more effected my technique: tone, agility, breath control - the efficient use of the air stream.
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Heinz · Posted: Tue May 07, 2024 5:33 am Post subject:

Tnx for the feedback.

I looked the suggestions up on the MP comparator:
- The VB 3C and Yam 14B4 are looking identical
- Even the 11B and 14B are looking almost the same

Years ago I had a 14B4 (came with the 5335) and later a GP. I sold/ traded them both because I only used the 11B in community band. I regret that decision now.

Richard III · Posted: Tue May 07, 2024 6:09 am Post subject:

I would also suggest trying Curry. I have C, BC, DE, ZM and Star mouthpieces in my size. Fun to swap out and try different sounds depending on which horn. I play everything but lead in my big band. You think you are different than a lead player but really you are not. You double the lead part on some tunes, just not on all of them. So having the ability to pull that trigger when you need it works better for me if I essentially stay with a lead setup.

For me that would be one of the ZM, DE or Star cups. For me that goes from bright to brightest going from DE, ZM to Star.
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kehaulani · Posted: Tue May 07, 2024 6:45 am Post subject:

If you've been using a Yamaha 11B4 and want more zing, I'd use a Bob Reeves 40/ES 69.
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Trumpjerele · Posted: Tue May 07, 2024 8:07 am Post subject:

Does anyone have experience testing the 11b4 and 11b4 GP?

"The GP Series features an innovative shape and extra-heavy gold-plate finish for players who prefer a focused, concentrated tonal core."

What's the meaning of this verbiage?

The only complaint I have with the Yamaha 11b4 is the lack of volume. Perhaps they sacrifice volume for greater efficiency.

It's going to turn out that they are indeed mouthpieces designed for beginners.
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JVL · Posted: Tue May 07, 2024 10:57 am Post subject:

Hello
you can also try the Marcinkiewicz Shew mpcs (ID not far from yam 11B, i played both), in various cup depths : Shew 2 (the deepest one, kind of 3C cup depth), then slightly less deep or more shallow, 1.75, 1.5.
1.25 & 1 are a priori not what you're looking for.
Best

Schilkeshaker · Posted: Tue May 07, 2024 12:36 pm Post subject:

TA2 by Austin Custom Brass

Jacko1235 · Regular Member Joined: 18 Nov 2017 Posts: 38

I'd focus on what type of rim you like and it's a lot cheaper (free) if you can try a few different mouthpieces from people in your band. Once you know what type of rim you like it's much easier to advise on mouthpieces that will be appropriate.

BreakFromTheHerd · Veteran Member Joined: 12 Apr 2022 Posts: 147

Seymor B Fudd · Posted: Sat May 11, 2024 6:33 am Post subject:

For big band I use the Schilke 14B. Big warm sound and helps getting higher. I use it for all the chairs in big bands (I also play lead in one).
The Yamaha 14B4 that came along with my 6336 RC has a somewhat flatter rim than the Schilke - doesn´t fit me.
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Heinz · Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 6:33 am Post subject:

Tnx for all the feedback!

I like to try the Curry and Austin Brass MPC's, but in the Netherlands those MPC's are not common. Maybe I could import them, but that is too expensive for something to try out.

I'm going to try some MPC's and I will focus on the shape of the rim.

kehaulani · Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 6:55 am Post subject:

Well, if you're in the Netherlands, why not contact one (or more) of the excellent big band players there for their local recommendations?
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
"I wouldn't play like Wynton Marsalis even if I could play like Wynton Marsalis." Attributed to Chet

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet

Heinz · Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 11:40 am Post subject:

My colleagues in the bigband are playing Bob Reeves, but the 1st trumpet is switching to a Denis Wick 5. In community band everyone played a 11B4.

On the Dutch marketplace I saw a Curry 50M. In other topics I saw this is a fitting MPC for bigband with a comfortable rim. And almost the same size as the 11B4. Could that be fitting? Those pieces are very rare in Holland.

kehaulani · Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 3:06 pm Post subject:

By "colleagues" are we talking the players in the Metropole Orch, and the like?
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
"I wouldn't play like Wynton Marsalis even if I could play like Wynton Marsalis." Attributed to Chet

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet

Heinz · Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 8:57 pm Post subject:

kehaulani · Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 9:48 pm Post subject:

What I am saying is ask them. And ask them where they bought their mouthpieces.
_________________
"If you don't live it, it won't come out of your horn." Bird
"I wouldn't play like Wynton Marsalis even if I could play like Wynton Marsalis." Attributed to Chet

Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew trumpet
Benge 3X Trumpet
Benge 3X Cornet

Brassnose · Posted: Fri May 17, 2024 11:54 pm Post subject:

Heinz: Thomann sells Austin custom brass. If — like you said — you want to try them out, you can buy at Thomann and even have a 30 day return policy.
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