rowuk

Actually, I do not like to go into great detail because it can often do more harm than good when we do not have a professional at our side guiding us through such changes. There is a lot more than I will describe here! These points are my observations of AMATEURS. The discussion for advanced playing is much different!

The reality of amateur players is the limited amount of practice time, but the need to "get through" rehearsals and concerts. Good band leaders rehearse more when it gets close to the concert to build chops and consistency of playing, but many will moan about the first rehearsal after Christmas vacation! My observation here apply to these players!

1) more lip in the mouthpiece = greater vibrating area = less critical placement
2) when the chops are tired, more room for swelling = you can play longer
3) better sound when you don't practice as much as you should
4) tonguing is less critical because the large vibrating area is easier to set in motion. The sound "speaks" easier
5) the "bigger" "darker" sound helps a section of amateurs to blend better. Smaller, brighter sounding mouthpieces stick out easier
6) The bigger mouthpiece is a constant reminder to take a big breath and it helps you get rid of that air, preventing it from backing up

One possible disadvantage of a big mouthpiece is quoted as less range. I have NEVER had a student that has lost range because of a bigger mouthpiece. Sometimes the switch from a 7C size to a 3C or 1 1/4 took a couple of weeks to get used to. After that - no losses.

The advantages of a smaller mouthpiece for a more advanced embouchure are also clear. Here we do not have problems with notes not speaking, size and "color" of the sound, range or flexibility. For an advanced embouchure, a smaller mouthpiece means less work when playing as a SOLOIST. A section has different requirements. That is why the symphonic players generally use bigger mouthpieces - the section sound benefits. If they all would switch to smaller mouthpieces, that would work, but it would probably be harder to transfer what is in their head to the real world. I have had students with more mature embouchures that have switched to smaller mouthpieces to play lead. In the beginning the range was (much)worse, but after several weeks improved dramatically - accompanied with a much brighter sound, less suitable for symphonic playing.

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

Lormacon

Hello again,

Sorry to bail on this post for a day, but I was working a crazy shift at work. Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions.

She does indeed have a private instructor along with her daily band class and practice sessions with me. Her instructor was the one who suggested she my be ready to move up to a larger mouthpiece as she is consistently hitting G's with the 3C. She inherited my full lip structure (think Liv Tyler), and like me plays with the edges of the rim in the pink part of the upper lip. I have read this can cause problems but haven't experienced any personally that I am aware of but I don't want her to be handicapped by it as we are all unique. My big concern is some sort of muscle strain or other negative physical affects and problems to watch out for.

As for the smaller mouthpiece theory, I had a professor in college encourage me to to try that to the extent of rolling my lips inward against my teeth. Trust me, it was not a pleasant experience. I do know there are trumpet players out there with large lips buzzing small mouthpieces but I have not been successful with it. Larger seems to be what I need unless I am doing something incorrectly.

Thanks again for all the help, you guys are wonderful!

Joseph

michael shanks

I'm a sophmore in highschool and have been playing for the last seven years I started on a yamaha student trumpet and still own it but if I were you I would start her on a professinal B-flat it cost alittle more but it will be wirth it in the longrun. Ireally dont know what mouthpiece to start her on see what she feels comfortable on I would see what she thinks of a warburton 4d and go from there it all comes down to what she likes.

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God gives the sound I just play it

Richard Oliver

Joe,

Have fun teaching your daughter. What fun. Duets!!

Richard

BudBix

A 3C is about as middle of the road as it gets. As long as she is progressing I wouldn't mess with it.

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Men govern nothing with more difficulty than their tongues, and can moderate their desires more than their words. - Baruch Spinoza

stchasking

Live Tyler lips should easily be a 3C or 3D. I don't think you should do much more until she is out of high school.

She will learn enough on her own about mouth pieces if you can take her to some conferences where mouth piece manufactureres are available.

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"I was performing professionally at age 17 and have never had a real job." Allen Vizzutti

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