Starting back mouthpiece..does it matter?

Tenring · Regular Member Joined: 18 Aug 2019 Posts: 80

I have a Getzen Severinsen Jet-Tone (no size). I struggle on low notes.
Bach 5B.. med/med...I do ok with it.
Yamaha 11...small diameter/fat rim..I struggle with it on most but more lower notes.
Getzen 10 1/2C...small diameter med rim.. I do ok with it.

I have lips on the thinner side if I had to describe them. Since we are all different there can’t really be a middle of the road for everyone right? So I’m guessing there might be a middle of the road for people with thin lips? Medium lips, and Full/thick lips people?

Am I way wrong? Just wondering if there is a best mouthpiece size to be practicing with until my chops are ready for something different. Does a person play the same mouthpiece for everything? Or is that music specific too once you’re at a stage it matters??

I’m on my lay-off day just buzzing a mouthpiece and finding ths somewhat difficult to do smoothly from “C” to “C”
Thanks Charles

kehaulani · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 3:43 pm Post subject:

Sounds to me that you don't need a new mouthpiece as much as some competent coaching.
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zaferis · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 3:52 pm Post subject:

Lip size/shape has little to do with what mouthpiece works best for you. IMO it's more about dental/jaw structure. Beyond that it's hard to tell which without trial and error.

As a general instruction , I would go with a middle of the road piece (Yamaha 11C4, 11B4, Bach 7C) until you develope some consistency and have a chance to work with an instructor to experiment.

Jet-Tone probably too shallow and tight...
5B is not med/med.. it's more med/deep and as Bach writes "for mature embochures"
10 1/2 C a good piece, that many like, but may be too small
11C4 or 11B4 = middle of the road

Then, what is the condition of each - clean, good plating and still smooth?

Finally, there may never be a reason to move away from the Yamaha 11 or Bach 7C neighborhood - will depend upon your chops, BUT they need to be developed and consistent before the "safari" starts.

Pick one! put the others in a locked box then, practice, practice, practice.
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cheiden · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 4:20 pm Post subject:

My goto mouthpiece for starting or resuming players are the Yamaha pieces from 11B4 up to the 14B4. These have relatively flat comfy rims with a relatively friendly inner edge. Pick the diameter you like and stick with it a while. If you feel the need for a somewhat larger tone then try the 11C4 through 14C4 which is the same as the previous except a slightly deeper cup. Sure some folks prefer larger or smaller diameters, deeper cups, or rounder rims, but most get along pretty well on these. It's a pretty safe place to start.
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Brad361 · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 4:22 pm Post subject:

JUST a suggestion here, don’t take offense.

Judging by your posts on TH, it almost seems as if you might be headed down an equipment “safari.” I think that’s the LAST thing you want. Yes, everyone is different, but until/unless you get with a qualified teacher to help you, staying with a “middle of the road” mouthpiece, along the lines of maybe a Bach 7C or 5C, might be your safest bet. Extremes at either end of the mouthpiece spectrum are probably what you need to avoid for now.

Based on your description of your former skill level, I don’t think you’re ready to start experimenting with mouthpieces or horns, you probably need to establish a solid base, through practice and lessons before you spend much energy or money on trying different equipment. Out of what you have, I think the Yamaha piece might be your best option, at least for now. You have a solid, well respected horn, so once you recover from your four hour chop-bash-fest, PRACTICE!😉

Brad
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cheiden · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 4:31 pm Post subject:

jondrowjf@gmail.com · Heavyweight Member Joined: 15 Jul 2016 Posts: 668

I agree find a good instructor first, and get their input on mouthpieces. When I started lessons with my new teacher, he told me my cornet mouthpieces played flat. Sold them and bought what he suggested and I could hear the difference.

Have thin lips myself, I now play a Bach 1.5 C trumpet mouthpiece, Bach 2 cornet and Getzen 5 C cornet mouthpiece. Until recently I played mostly 3 C trumpet or cornet mouthpieces.

When I bought the Getzen 700 Eterna trumpet it came with two mouthpieces. The 3 C didn't suit the 700. So I tried the Bach 1.5 C and liked the sound. Played the 700 trumpet at my lesson and the teacher agreed. So I sold my 3 C mouthpieces.
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Tenring · Regular Member Joined: 18 Aug 2019 Posts: 80

Thanks for the input. I asked because I thought these were all "not" middle of the road. And I didn't know where the middle of the road was? So good old Bach 7C or 5C or Yamaha 11-14 b or c. I'll try to find the most middle of the road of those.

I didn't want to go on a safari and I felt like I was on a safari just with the one's I happen to have. The Yamaha 11 came extra with my daughters trumpet and she also got Generic 7C. I'll try her 7C.

Teacher Hunting tomorrow!

Cheers

Charles

zaferis · Posted: Thu Sep 05, 2019 6:18 pm Post subject:

yes, find a teacher..

I'd be leery about the generic mouthpiece though.. just 'cause there's a 7C printed on the side - that means nothing-there is no standard-does not have to have any relationship to a Bach 7C.
I'd say you have a 50/50 chance of that being a piece of crap (I'm being generous)

I also agree with and support this:

HERMOKIWI · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Dec 2008 Posts: 2581

There are no real standards based on lip size. It's much more complex than just that one factor. It involves the entire physiology of the lips, teeth, jaw, etc. It's a somewhat inexact science. You just have to jump in, look at your results and make changes calculated to improve your results. Of course, knowing what changes will improve your results is an important part of this and something a qualified teacher should be able to help you with.

The above being said, I think for most players there is a range of mouthpieces that can work for them and success becomes more a matter of adapting to a mouthpiece that generally works for you rather than perpetually trying to split hairs with design changes. There are no magic mouthpieces.
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JayKosta · Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2019 4:57 am Post subject:

Use whichever mpc feels like it's a 'good fit' on your lips & teeth.
After using for a several weeks (as long as no injury or pain) think about whether the fit is still good, and if you have noticed any 'problems' with the size or shape of the rim.

As long as you're using an unmodified 'middle road' mpc, I think it would be a waste of time to worry about the details of: cup depth, and throat / backbore size.

Jay
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Robert P · Heavyweight Member Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2596

Tenring · Regular Member Joined: 18 Aug 2019 Posts: 80

Update... I purchased a Yamaha 11b4 and 11c4, both feel nice and only take a few notes to find the sweet spot. I’m starting the Clark studies and I’ve never played notes that low and a bit of a challenge but doable. One step at a time...
When I learned as a kid I progressed very quickly. I’m finding this isn’t so easy as I thought as a kid. Not that I really thought it was easy, but I don’t remember struggling ever except maybe reading new music I’ve never heard.

Thanks fella’s
Charles

delano · Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 4:46 am Post subject:

Stay with one mouthpiece for quite some time (think months instead of weeks).
I suggest the 11B4.

cheiden · Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 1:12 pm Post subject:

Brad361 · Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2019 1:06 pm Post subject:

JeffM729 · Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2019 8:40 am Post subject:

I started a comeback after many years of not playing and here are a few things that I experienced.

1- It will take around a year to get back the skills you once had

2- You will get discouraged as progress is slow but steady. It's not like riding a bicycle.

3- Two steps forward and one step back will happen, it's inevitable

4- Messing with equipment is not helpful

5- Develop a daily routine and stick to it

6- Taking lessons is very helpful

7- Joining a performing ensemble will aid your progress

Wishing you the best......