HoboTrumpet

I’m not sure if it’s the warm weather (finally!) or just trumpeter’s DNA, but I have the itch to buy something. I’ve decided to focus on finding a different mouthpiece, but only because I have an inkling that my current one isn’t meeting my needs. Maybe I can fine tune my search with some input from forum members here.

What’s my current set-up? A Stork 1.5C (with 25C bore/backbore). I purchased it from my college teacher in 1997 and have used it ever since. Why the desire to change now? About five years ago I had had enough of my expanding waistline and dropped about 100 pounds over the course of a year. During that time my playing went through quite a few peaks and valleys. Today, I believe that I’m a vastly different player than in my college days: Playing is more relaxed and without the pressure against the face that I used to use. Tension and trying to “muscle” the horn is a thing of the past.

Even though my playing has become more relaxed, I feel as if I’m having to work too hard to play, if that makes any sense. For someone in the best physical shape of his life, I figure that my mouthpiece/horn combo shouldn’t feel like a black hole for air. As I’ve matured over the years, perhaps my current equipment is out of line with my needs. My question is, where to start? Simply order a piece with a smaller backbore, or try something new? I’ve even considered giving a Monette piece a try, just to see what it’s like. Any thoughts?

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Bb: Yamaha 8335G
C:Yamaha 6445H

omelet

Seems like the extra weight could have helped you blow easier, though good job in losing it.

Maybe just experiment with whatever you think might be what you want. change too many variables at once Probably easier within the same brand and not changing too many variables at once . I dunno if buying a more expensive piece like monette is wise when you are not sure what you're looking for, though they could be exactly what you need. Definitely cheaper than buying a new horn.

Only way to find out is through time and experiences it seems.

Brass crusader

Hi,
It would probably be the increased aerobic capacity, as the extra weight wasn't there anymore, therefore the heart and lungs were far more efficient. Also, I'd imagine your blood pressure probably relaxed abit, so the vessels in your face were under less pressure while playing.(I'm by no means a doctor)
I'm a track sprinter/ mid-distance runner, and mountain bike quite often. I use a Bach 3c for classical, and a Yamaha 14a4A for lead stuff. You'd be best off just trying everything you can get your hands on, and find whatever works out for you. I personally am dying to try a couple of different Curry's, but the closest dealer to me is in NYC.

Good luck

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~Brass Crusader

Yamaha Xeno Custom w/ reverse leadpipe
1947 Olds Super Recording trumpet
1947 Olds Special trumpet
1952 Olds Ambassador cornet
1967 Olds Special cornet
1970's Yamaha 631 Flugel w/ Rose brass bell
1970's Conn 17b Coprion director
Other assorted Conns and Olds
Yamaha and Bach Mouthpieces
1929 Martin Handcraft "The New Master"
1935 Conn 22B NY Symphony Special tpt
'83 Callet New York Super Large Bore trpt.
'35 Conn 32H trombone

Richard Oliver

Here's Jens Lindedemann's take on mouthpiece size: Forum: trumpetherald.com

Phyllis Stork knows bunches. Why not run it all buy her, and she what she recommends?

et_mike

Ahhh.. the great “mouthpiece search”. It sounds like you might be on of the few that have a legitimate reason to start looking at new equipment. All too often we read about folks changing equipment simply in search of that “golden goose”, if you know what I mean.

Your trumpet should definitely not feel like a black hole that air is escaping into. The idea is to find the right amount of back pressure to make playing comfortable and easy. Personally, I would look more at a smaller backbore before changing cup sizes, but I am sure plenty of people will disagree. In any case, the only real way to find what you are looking for is to play as many pieces as possible, on the horn you play everyday. So take your horn to the music store with you. If you don’t have any stores close that can help you out, look into mouthpieceexpress.com. They have a 30 day return policy, you can order as many pieces as you like, try them out and send back the ones you don’t like… all you will be out is shipping.

Let us know how the search goes.

rowuk

Hobo,
I don't know if you play golf or swim or do any martial arts, but equipment is not the solution for you. I am not saying that a different setup won't have ANY advantages, but not in the way that you think.
Playing does have a bit to do with your physical condition, but a "relaxed" approach does not have a body prerequisite. There are enough brilliant players of all body shapes.
The best way to solve your dilemma is not to post your equipment, but rather your HABITS. How and what do you practice every day? In what order do you practice that routine. What type of playing gigs do you have? That is the stuff that makes the hardware come alive AND let you get the most out of it - new or old! It is also the key to hardware independence. Every pro has a story about the time that they forgot their horn or mouthpiece, had to borrow something because something broke or whatever. Most will honestly say that it was more concentration, but few will report that many noticed outside of the immediate circle of informed friends.
So what I am trying to say is to get your face into a consistent routine tuned to your chops, playing and lifestyle. If you have some spare change, you can try other things out, I think that claims of night and day are 99% exaggerated by players trying to convince themselves that they made the right decision. As a rule, if you choose carefully, improvements are only very incremental and more based on your practice habits.
I have been playing Monette since 1997. His equipment will highlight anything that you are doing - right or wrong. If you have some bad habits, you will need to get them looked at in any case. I would start there first.
The change to a Monette mouthpiece did change my approach to the trumpet. The audience didn't notice, but after the initial adjustment, I modified my daily routine to include more long tones (crescendo/decrescendo) and tunes to play with the sound possibilities and build efficiency. I pulled out my old Bach 1 1/4C (Schmidt backbore) the other day, it is a bit freer blowing in the middle register but does not have the core of sound or ease in the upper register and it definitely is not as "in tune". Now after more than 10 years of getting into the Monette thing, it would be a big step backwards to switch back. I would have no trouble getting through a concert though. It would not make me a worse player either.

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

HoboTrumpet

I’m not ignoring this thread I’ve started, just haven’t had time to type any one of the last 30 times I’ve visited the forums.

I probably rambled a bit too much with my first post—my desire for checking out new mouthpieces is really just curiosity at work. Seeing what’s out there, and if I like something better than what I’m using now.

Rowuk: I take your point to heart about practice habits and consistency. I have plenty of room for improvement in those areas, and maybe someday when I have spare time I’ll post about my habits, challenges, etc.

Andy

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Bb: Yamaha 8335G
C:Yamaha 6445H