sistertrumpetdoc

Are there any mouthpieces on the market that could possibly lessen the jaw pain brought on by the pressure put on a trumpet player's facial muscles and jaw joints? I have a severe, chronic TMJ disorder and have had everything medically possible done for it, including two surgeries. The hardest and most painful thing I had to do was give up trumpet playing------------------for twenty years; since the facial pain and migraines didn't go away or even lessen in severity during all that time, I started playing again. I am currently using a 7C, and have trouble reaching the notes above the register; before my "jaw" got "messed up," I had no problem doing that.
With all that said, can anybody help me out? I CAN'T begin to fathom "hanging it up" for the rest of my life--that just wouldn't be
living!

screamingmorris

The Bach 7C is one of the deepest of the Bach "C" cups.
The Bach 3C is approximately the same cup depth as the Bach 7E.

If you get a shallower cup with a tighter throat and / or backbore, it will support your upper register a little bit more and allow you to play with minimum mouthpiece-to-lips pressure.

When we use a deeper cup and strain for the upper register, there is a natural tendency to increase mouthpiece pressure, which is exactly what you are trying to avoid.
Extra support from a slightly shallower cup with a tighter throat and / or backbore will support your upper register enough that you will not feel the need to increase the mouthpiece pressure for the higher notes.

The same would apply to thr trumpet bore.
Using a tighter bore as found on the vintage Conn 22B's gives a little bit more support in the upper register while still giving great tone.
The vintage Conn 22B (1920's through 1960's) gives that little bit of extra resistance without feeling too tight, so the upper register feels a little bit easier and you will be less tempted to increase mouthpiece pressure for the upper register.

Edit:
I sometimes use a Bach 7E.
Although it is shallower than a Bach 7C, I think it has a more open backbore than a Bach 7C.
So the Bach 7E does help with the upper register a little bit, but that open backbore means that it is definitely not a "screamer" mouthpiece.
I think the Kanstul Comparator at
Kanstul Mouthpiece Comparator
shows the Bach 7D as being almost as shallow as the Bach 7E, but I think its backbore is slightly tighter than a Bach 7E.
So you might try a Bach 7D.
Unless you are in love with the diameter and rim of a Bach 7 series, you might consider trying another brand such as Marcinkawitz (I know I'm not spelling that right).

- Morris

Pedal C

How long have you been playing again? It may just take you a little while to get the breathing and chops back in sync and in shape after all those years. I have no idea how you played before, but a lesson or two with a good teacher might be able to get you on the right track.

As for mouthpieces to make the jaw feel better, the only thing I can think of is a wider coushioned rim. This can distribute the pressure over a little more area and maybe make the jaw muscles work a little differently. Something like a 7CW, if you like the feel of the 7C. Schilke also makes some wider, flatter rims. I don't really know if that helps, but it might be something to try.