Mouthpiece Too Big

Xenoman · Heavyweight Member Joined: 19 Nov 2001 Posts: 1209

How can you tell when your mouthpiece is too big? What are the symptoms?

I've been playing on a Monette B2 for about a month now (previously played a Laskey 70C). I love the sound that get on it and I have gotten a few compliments from folks who have heard me use it. I paced myself getting aclimated to it - long tones, easy slurs, etc. During practice I stuck to the 10 minutes on/ 10 minutes off concept to make sure I got enough rest. I also used my flugelhorn in performance situations to keep from rushing the process.

I broke out the trumpet and B2 last night for a church rehearsal and I sounded great the first time through. The second take was a nightmare. By the middle/end of the song (a VERY slow but short tune) my chops were GONE. I couldn't even play a tune C with ease. I ended up using pressure just to get through it and as a result I think I hurt my chops AND a tooth. Nothing serious - they just feel strange the day after.

Of course now I'm rethinking things. I like the sound on the B2 but that situation REALLY bugs (scares) me and I don't feel confident in continuing to play on it. I've got a B4S that is looking pretty good right now and I've got a master class tomorrow.
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Eric M. Brewington
http://www.jazzbrew.com

Druyff · Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 1:03 pm Post subject:

Sounds like you know what to do!

bugleboi · Veteran Member Joined: 17 Mar 2004 Posts: 288

I heard that massaging the lips, and putting a ice bag will reduce the swelling...Im from Upper MArlboro as well, I'm at UNCG currently. Are a you jazz or classical player??

mafields627 · Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2004 1:41 pm Post subject:

I would suggest a couple of things. One would be to pick one mouthpiece and stick with it. You seem to hop between equipment fairly often (which, IMO, is one of the downfalls of being an adult player -- you have the funds to experiment). Picking one "middle-of-the-road" mouthpiece during the developmental stages of playing seems to be the best route.

The second thing I would suggest is to start upping the amount of playing you do in your play/rest cycle. If you want to be able to play 10 minutes in church, then you need to be doing 20 or 30 minutes of playing at a time in your practice routine; otherwise, you'll play 10 minutes at church and then get tired, just like at home. In my experience, 10 minutes of rest is too long of a break. That is just enough time for the chops to start getting cold.

Hope this helps.
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--Matt--

No representation is made that the quality of this post is greater than the quality of that of any other poster. Oh, and get a teacher!

Xenoman · Heavyweight Member Joined: 19 Nov 2001 Posts: 1209

I may try the ice tonight. I know I will be taking some time off after the master class Saturday. At least two days... I've never had ill effects from playing too much (or too hard) before.

I picked the trumpet up 4 years ago to play jazz (small group improvisation). At this stage I try not to lose sight of the fact that I need to learn to play the horn FIRST. Hard to do sometimes...
_________________
Eric M. Brewington
http://www.jazzbrew.com

Xenoman · Heavyweight Member Joined: 19 Nov 2001 Posts: 1209