Changing cup ID or to not change - that is the question?

[daveboa]

Hi everyone,
Not posted here often but wanted to ask and get opinions about cup IDs/upper register.
There seems to be some players who move easily between different mouthpieces with different cup IDs and there are also those that strongly believe you shouldn’t change your rim. They think one should stick to the same rim and change only the other variables (cup depth, backbore, throat, etc). I was wondering specifically about the upper register players who think you need a smaller ID for upper register playing. Do you guys think it’s equally ok to have a wider ID with a shallower cup and tighter backbore for the upper register? I’ve been playing a Bob Reeves 1.5 classical rim on his S692s underpart. I also have a Reeves 43.5 with various cup depths which has worked well. Recently I though I’d try a Marc Shew 1.5 and it just doesn’t feel as good. Whenever I try a smaller ID my lips feel much more fatigued and incredibly tight after a gig sometimes to the point where I can’t get a decent note out of the horn. I don’t have a great upper register, (never have) but am working on it and was wondering which direction to go in (if any) regarding cup ID.
Any opinions/advice is welcome and just wanted some experienced opinions.
Thanks everyone.

[B. Scriver]

When you look at Inside Diameter you that is only one parameter. There are 12 parameters just for the rim. Most often a much higher alpha angle will make the ID feel smaller. There are a lot more things to consider.

" I try a smaller ID my lips feel much more fatigued and incredibly tight after a gig sometimes to the point where I can’t get a decent note out of the horn."

This indicates an alpha angle issue.

Gary Radtke
www.grmouthpieces.com

[brassmusician]

In my opinion if you are trying to develop your upper register, do it on your usual mouthpiece. Others will have a different take but if you are like me you won't get any more range on a smaller mouthpiece than you have on your reeves classical for example, so why switch? If you already had a lead mouthpiece that worked and were using it for gigs then it would be different.
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[JVL]

hello
i play several mpcs, all with the same ID and contour. Of course, like they have different cups, they feel a little bit different, but in no way is problematic.
my range is the same on each one, from my lead one to my deep flug mpc.
If things worked well with your 43 and its various combinations, stay with these, and keep on practicing, have lessons with a competent teacher.
best

[daveboa]

Thanks guys for your input. Much appreciated.

[cheiden]

It's my sense that most players can play on pieces within a range of sizes. Going to the larger side, range and endurance get persistently harder even though the sound and facility may feel very satisfying. Going to the small end of that range may facilitate playing near the top of your range somewhat. Going smaller than that rarely works for long.

Though it's been said, mouthpiece size can never be distilled to an ID measured at some arbitrary point into the cup. It's always a product of the general rim size and heavily influenced by the shape.
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Bach 3C rim on 1.5C underpart

[daveboa]

I’d be interested to know what the alpha angle is (roughly) on the Marc Shew 1.5? I think I just find larger IDs more comfortable. I seem to have quite a wide embouchure spread when I form my aperture and don’t roll in at all, so seem to struggle with smaller IDs. Does Bob Reeves have more undercut’ on the 43.5 rims and cups? I can play one of his 43.5 ES cups no problem and I never bottom out or feel tight. It feels very comfortable and easy to play. Also, for me, my sound on the Shew 1.5 is very thin compared to the Reeves ES. The difference in tone is huge.

[JVL]