Suggestions for new mouthpiece (HELP!!!)

Iplaythetrumpet · Regular Member Joined: 15 Oct 2017 Posts: 15

Hi there!

I've been struggling to find a good mouthpiece for a while now, so what better place is there to come to than here, to ask for suggestions!

I am no trumpet virtioso, and currently play on a (Yamaha mearsurment) 16d which is roughly the same as a bach 1 1/2 c with a deeper cup. I play this because I have substantially large lips, so this fits snugly. However, my range and endurance suffer a lot than when playing a standard 7c, yet I cannot seem to get through a passage on the 7c without bottoming out.

To cut to the chase, I am looking for a new mouthpiece which increases my endurance and range in the upper register (to be used when on lead in a jazz band), but still has a deeper cup than a 7c preferably. A possible candidate for choosing is a bach 8 1/2b, but I cannot really understand all the mouthpiece grading systems as well as I'd like to. I also cannot stress enough that I am not looking for a magical fix to all my playing problems, but just a good lead mouthpiece for a fat lip like me

Any ideas?
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bach_again · Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 1:34 pm Post subject:

You need a good teacher, not a mouthpiece.

Speak to:

Mike Smith (tampa)
Roger Ingram (chicago?)
Bryan Davis (nyc)
Chris LaBarbera (boca raton)
Rich Willey (not sure where)

The above I recommend with personal experience. I'm not snubbing loads of supeb teachers.

Best,
Mike
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zaferis · Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 1:37 pm Post subject:

I see this is your first post... I'll give the benefit of the doubt that you're not just posting to get your 5 posts to get to the Marketplace...

"Bottoming out" in a 7C bothers me.. regardless of the thickness of your lips, that much intrusion is a problem in itself.
Bach 7's might be too small for you but I would suggest that the 16D (Yamaha?) is too big and you've grown accustom to letting your chops "fall" into the cup.

Bach 3c, Yamaha 14B4 or 14C4, Curry 3C or 3B or a multitude of other mid-size mouthpieces THEN a teacher to make sure you're approaching play in a good fashion.
For playing lead, a somewhat (not drastically) shallower piece is where most of us go but can be accomplished without that assistance.

My suggestion is to stay with a "C" cup (pick your maker) and train the embouchure.
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JVL · Posted: Sun Oct 15, 2017 1:59 pm Post subject:

Hello,
A deeper mpc than the 7C for lead?
In your case, i d rather try a Yam. 14B4 or, more specialized for lead, a 14A4a, knowing that shallow mpcs need another aperture compared to deeper cups.
Best

Ed Kennedy · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Jan 2005 Posts: 3187

http://storkcustom.com/how-your-lips-dictate-your-mouthpiece-choice/

Check out this info by Phyllis Stork. She knows her stuff.

"Chops flat, corners firm, AIR ON." Leon Merian

Iplaythetrumpet · Regular Member Joined: 15 Oct 2017 Posts: 15

Iplaythetrumpet · Regular Member Joined: 15 Oct 2017 Posts: 15

Iplaythetrumpet · Regular Member Joined: 15 Oct 2017 Posts: 15

Iplaythetrumpet · Regular Member Joined: 15 Oct 2017 Posts: 15

JVL · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 2:44 am Post subject:

dstdenis · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 4:19 am Post subject:

Conventional wisdom: choose an appropriate rim inner-diameter to get a good fit for your lips—smaller diameter for smaller lips, larger diameter for larger lips. Then choose cup depth for the kind of tone and support you want—shallower cup for a brighter sound and more support in the upper register, deeper cup for a fuller, heavier sound at the expense of range and endurance.

So the 16 rim might be okay for you (I don't know, I haven't seen your face), but the deep D cup isn't helping you with range/endurance or to get a brighter sound. If I were you, I'd check out the article from Phyllis Stork that Ed Kennedy mentioned (actually, I did that several years ago, and she helped me a lot). Once you've identified a reasonable rim inner-diameter fit, try mpcs with shallower cups to get the sound and support you're looking for.
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bach_again · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 10:25 am Post subject:

Iplaythetrumpet · Regular Member Joined: 15 Oct 2017 Posts: 15

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will have a revised look on my embouchure, and consider trying to borrow a 14A4a for a bit, just to see if I can cope with it and/or if it makes any difference. Also, thanks for the link to the Phyllis Stork website, its cleared a lot up for me around the mysteries of mouthpieces!

I'll also persevere with my 7c, just to see if I can make any difference with my sound
Thanks again for all the replies,
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A wannabe trumpet player-I'll get there some day..

cheiden · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 3:49 pm Post subject:

I think you'd do better to try some of the more common Yamaha pieces like the 16C4, 15C4, 14C4,... You may find the smaller ID helps. And you might find the flatter "4" rim a better fit, many do.

The 14A4a is a highly specialized piece. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone in your situation.

Regarding the 7C, there are plenty of reasons not to like it but bottoming out isn't one of them. I'm guessing that there's something else going on.
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Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart

dstdenis · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 5:53 pm Post subject:

JVL · Posted: Mon Oct 16, 2017 9:07 pm Post subject:

i agree with Mike "Bach again".
I think the choice of the ID or mpc size has more to do with labial/facial musculature and teeth.
Your embouchure, tongue placement or tongue technic (tongue arching, KTM for instance), have too a pretty important influence.

i know big lip trumpet players playing on medium or small sizes, and very thin lips players playing on Bach 1 size
best

Seymor B Fudd · Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 2:31 am Post subject:

TKSop · Posted: Tue Oct 17, 2017 4:08 am Post subject:

steevo · Veteran Member Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 454

Just adding my $0.02.

Lessons: This is the best investment you can possible make. You don't need a big name to learn from. Regular lessons are best, but even a one-off lesson will be of benefit. By the way, there are teachers that will do Skype lessons. Take a few lessons, listen, learn and practice.

Hardware: An idea to consider is that there is no one perfect mouthpiece. Many have spent lifetimes on their "mouthpiece safari", few have emerged from the jungles with their prize. Many who have believed they found "the one", later became disappointed and returned to their safari. Personally, I use three or four different mouthpieces, all with a similar rim but with varying amounts of compression. What works for others won't necessarily work for you.

Lessons: Yeah, I am mentioning this again. I can't say it enough. Take lessons. Practice. Repeat.

Louise Finch · Posted: Thu Oct 19, 2017 8:55 am Post subject: