et_mike

The only thing I disagree with is the thinking that we all have the answers you seek and you should "change" your thought process because of our statements... Now that I have had my Zen moment, here is my advice!

Have your teacher go with you to a music store and try out mouthpieces... you will be surprised what you might find... I went on a mouthpiece safari and spent way too much money on "Cadillac’s". I'm back on my Stork... that cost me $45, used; to start with... don't get caught up in marketing, bling or how many professional are using a certain brand. All that matters is the mouthpiece is comfortable for you in all registers and you get the sound you are looking for out of it. Other than that, it doesn't matter if the piece cost you $10 or $10,000, because a $200 Monette isn't worth a nickel if you can't play on it!

While I’m ranting, it is not likely that your solid chunk of metal mouthpiece is “inconstant”. It is far more comprehensible that your embouchure and breathing are inconsistent. Make sure you are doing breathing exercises and checking your embouchure setup to ensure consistency.

bagmangood

Excuse me while I consult my horoscope and several astrologers to discover which is the best position for tonight

jazz9

et mike, there was been something weird going on with my embouchure for a while now. I just haven't been able to figure it out. On one piece, I may get tired one day. The next day, it is fine. The getting tired is what's worrying me. When my lips get tired, they do weird thing, like separating and causing me to lose air out the sides. (This is when I am really fatigued) The high notes also get suddenly much quieter than before, like I can play the pitch but not the dynamics. I know this is not an air issue; I always take a big breath and open my throat before I play. I'm working on it, and hopefully the new horn will help.

Jimi Michiel

Well put.

Jimi Michiel

I think we're talking about the same thing. north/south/east/west is just the nomenclature I use to remember where a mouthpiece plays best. Although I don't really have experience on non-Monette mouthpieces, I would imagine that the tiny inconsistencies in mouthpieces that contribute to this phenomenon exist in all mouthpieces and brands. Both my old (hand made) and new (CNC-produced) Monette mouthpieces have their "sweet spots," and I was introduced to this idea by Roger Blackburn who, if I remember correctly, does not play Monette mouthpieces.

-Jimi

hubnub

LOL.... Please do!

hubnub

My trumpet teacher in College worked with Roger on the same thing. I was playing Warburton at the time when he got me into Monette. He swore by it. I don't remember having to do that with the Warburton's ,but at one time when I started playing Monette on a non-monette trumpet, I would mess with it and came up with a spot where things just felt better.

If I'm not mistaken, Jimi, don't you play Monette horns? Do you still "dial" the mpc in? I would think that Monette horns and mpcs are pretty much "dialed" in already. I do know (past forums) that tweaking the weighted caps has a great deal to do with slotting on Monette horns. I'd be interested to see if the position of the mpc has something to do with it?

.....and enter Rowuk...... (from a scientific and well appreciated point of view of course)

Schwab

You just need to practice more jazz9, and I don't mean more hours in the day, I mean you can only notice improvement in this area over months or years! There are no quick fixes for consistency, it is something everyone strives for. There is nothing wrong with you or your equipment, it just takes a long time to develop. Keep at it!

tedh1951

I'm not quite sure what is going on here - clocking the mouthpiece for best performance goes against all engineering logic IF the machining process always uses the same centre reference. If however, the cup machining and the backbore machining are carried out using a different mounting reference then the centring of the cup compared to the backbore may vary. It seems illogical that any machinist worth his salt would allow such a situation to occur. I'm certainly going to play with my mouthpieces and see if you blokes are pulling my leg, or not. (Thinks: have these blokes finally sucked me into an urban myth that I am unaware of - perhaps serve me right for making light in a serious forum such as TM?)

rowuk

Jazz9,
I get the feeling that you are starting to look for compensation of your present frustration. Your folks being not supportive, your playing not consistent, the desire for a mouthpiece, horn and new teacher - it all fits.

Now is not the right time to change everything. All you will accomplish is getting yourself even more frustrated. When life is tough (I have been there), become sensitive to the small steps leading to satisfaction: double tounging a bit faster, lip slurs a bit more regular, being able to play more softly on a regular basis. You should have a daily routine that covers all aspects of playing. That routine can carry you through the roughest of times. If you practice something different each day, you need to change a portion of that. Your daily routine builds consistency. THAT you can accomplish NOW without your parents, new teacher, a new mouthpiece or horn. After 3 or 4 weeks of that routine, you will have some things to be happy about!
My life has proven that one happy situation often leads to the next, but that an external bandaid just fools me into thinking that something is better - reality is then generally around the corner.

I also play Monette and know why. The decision was made during a happy time in my life. I wasn't looking for a change - it found me!