Mouthpiece advice for beginning cornet player

Rogerrr

A couple months ago a friend gave me a beat up Besson 2-20 cornet. On a whim I got it fixed and it was so fun I started taking lessons.....then everything got shut down because of the corona virus....so no more cornet lessons for a while.

The cornet came with a mouthpiece that only says “cornet” on it with no other information. Seems to work ok but I’m curious what a beginner normally would use on a Besson 2-20

I’m actually a sax player and I must say I am thrilled that brass mouthpieces are waaaaay cheaper than sax mouthpieces and less vulnerable to quality control problems

I basically play jazz/blues on sax and will probably do the same on cornet

Any suggestions?
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Sax player learning cornet & trumpet...and occasionally a little bit of trombone.
( so don't confuse me with an experienced player )

zaferis · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2020 7:06 pm Post subject:

You will get a variety of suggestions. Mine is to go for a mid-sized mouthpiece, from one of the big named makers-not a knock-off.

Appreciate the difficulty in blindly suggesting something: unlike a sax (in a simplified comparison) where you're matching a mouthpiece, to a reed, to get a specific sound, expected response, etc
With the cornet, you are the reed, thus the reed you're trying to match a mouthpiece to is unlike any other reed-it is unique. What works for me and many, might work for you and might not.

Start with mid-sized, middle of the road (not too big, not to deep/shallow) practice, practice, practice.. then down the road (2 or 3 years, or more, of good growth) you may go on a bit of a mouthpiece safari to find a better match, if needed.

So... for cornet I suggest a Bach 6 (no letter) a very good mouthpiece for cornet. A good size, with a popular shaped rim, and nice depth for cornet.
There are others: Curry 5 or 7 DC., Pickett 7C or BC., Yamaha 14C4..

I'm not familiar with the particular model you have - but there is a chance that the shank size (the portion of the mouthpiece that sets into the instrument) is not standard - before buying blindly, this might be something to determine.
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Jerry · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2020 11:17 pm Post subject:

If it seems OK. And you were taking lessons. And your teacher didn't have you switch.
Then forget about what others typically use.

You have no idea what a can of worms you could be opening by even thinking about using a different mouthpiece.

harryjamesworstnightmare · Veteran Member Joined: 04 Mar 2010 Posts: 167

If it's working don't try to "fix" it. Renold Schilke used to say he'd rather teach someone to play correctly on their current mouthpiece than sell them a new one.
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JayKosta · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 5:08 am Post subject:

If it seems to 'fit your face' and doesn't cause lip injury or pain, then don't worry about it.
For brass, the mouthpiece is the 'connector' between you and the instrument.

Also, it's very important to realize that playing is a learned skill, and when done correctly does not require excessive force or facial contortions.
Your lips should be providing a durable cushion for the mouthpiece. The lips shouldn't be stretched thin like a rubber band, and shouldn't be smashed flat by high mouthpiece pressure.
Brass playing 'works' by having the lips flexible enough to vibrate from the air you blow thru them. It doesn't work if the lips are prevented from being able to vibrate.

Jay
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Rogerrr · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 7:33 am Post subject:

Thanks everybody

I am fully aware of the perils of picking a mouthpiece blindly like this. I've had pretty good luck in the past getting a popular "standard" mouthpiece on sax. My assumptions when picking something generic is (1) if others like it, maybe I will too (2) At least I'll have a basis for comparison when I hear people discussing mouthpiece types (especially since I don't have any information on my umarked mouthpiece) and (3) If I don't like it I can always sell it

Also since a cornet mouthpiece doesn't cost too much (unlike a $400-$500 sax mouthpiece ) I'm not risking much cash. It costs about the same as a lesson or two --and I'll be learning from the experience

Having said that, I'm reasonably happy with this "mystery" mouthpiece....I mostly want to try a different one because I have no idea what type of mouthpiece it is and would like to be able to compare to something known.

Thanks again
_________________
Sax player learning cornet & trumpet...and occasionally a little bit of trombone.
( so don't confuse me with an experienced player )

bagmangood · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 8:40 am Post subject:

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

Give your teacher a call. He/she knows what your current piece is and may have a good idea of which direction you should go, if at all.

Rogerrr · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 9:51 am Post subject:

My teacher didn’t know anything about the mouthpiece either. It doesn’t have anything stamped on it except the word “cornet”

The only reason to get a new mouthpiece is curiosity and to fight the boredom of being stuck in the house during the pandemic
_________________
Sax player learning cornet & trumpet...and occasionally a little bit of trombone.
( so don't confuse me with an experienced player )

Jerry · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 10:50 am Post subject:

Rogerrr · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 11:03 am Post subject:

Well I can always limit my mouthpiece adventures to saxophones...at least that's a world I understand
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Sax player learning cornet & trumpet...and occasionally a little bit of trombone.
( so don't confuse me with an experienced player )

tptptp · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 2:19 pm Post subject:

I know nothing about cornet mouthpieces, but people who hang around the cornet forum do. Consider redirecting the question there. Might get some more general suggestions.
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Craig Mitchell

Peck Time · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2020 8:18 pm Post subject:

As a saxophone/ clarinet player who plays cornet and flugel, I believe a different mouthpiece MAY help a lot. Let me explain...

Sax players have very relaxed embouchures as a rule. This means that the smaller diameter 7C type mouthpieces included with cornets and trumpets can hinder our progress.

Try a 3C or similar diameter and report back!

Rogerrr · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2020 7:46 am Post subject:

Just measured my cup diameter and it looks like 17mm....

Not sure how accurate it is— just put a ruler on the mouthpiece and looked at it through a magnifier
_________________
Sax player learning cornet & trumpet...and occasionally a little bit of trombone.
( so don't confuse me with an experienced player )

delano · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2020 7:58 am Post subject:

If it’s really 17 mm, congratulations, you just joined a select group of symphonic top players.

Rogerrr · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2020 8:01 am Post subject:

What a great instrument- I can only play one song and I’m already at the top? Wow

The curve along the rim is probably causing my measurement to be off....maybe 16.5 is closer

Sure would be easier if my repair shop wasn’t shut down and I could just show this to the owner and try a variety of mouthpieces
_________________
Sax player learning cornet & trumpet...and occasionally a little bit of trombone.
( so don't confuse me with an experienced player )

JayKosta · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2020 8:55 am Post subject:

Rogerrr · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2020 7:33 am Post subject:

And what’s the difference between long and short shank ?

Different size shanks for different horns? Or just another option to complicate choosing a mouthpiece?

My mouthpiece is about 63mm long
_________________
Sax player learning cornet & trumpet...and occasionally a little bit of trombone.
( so don't confuse me with an experienced player )

cheiden · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2020 10:03 am Post subject:

Rogerrr · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2020 11:49 am Post subject:

Thanks— not surprised a ruler won’t easily give the right measurement.

I was thinking of getting whatever Yamaha mouthpiece seems reasonable.
_________________
Sax player learning cornet & trumpet...and occasionally a little bit of trombone.
( so don't confuse me with an experienced player )