greenpeppers

Here is a photo so you can see what I'm talking about.

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IAmBrassman

I agree with most of these posts. My opinion is start with a piece no larger than a 3C and no smaller than a 10 1/2 C. Logic on each solid one in that range:

3C -- as previously stated, good all-around mouthpiece with reasonable depth and diameter. Fairly comfortable rim.
5B -- My symphonic favorite for years. Slightly narrower than the 3C, but actually only slightly deeper than the 7C. Rim on the 5B is similar in comfort to the 3C. The shape of this cup gives a very warm, dark sound.
6C -- The oft overlooked great piece. Everything the 7C is, but with the cup depth slightly shallower and a much more comfortable rim.
7C -- Medium width with a slightly deeper than standard C cup. People with large, or very soft, lips (like me) may find this rim too 'sharp'.
10 1/2 C -- Much closer in size to 'starter mouthpieces' used in the late 1800's than the 7C. Some consider it too small a starting place. I do too, with only one exception -- if you have sharp teeth, very squishy lips, limited air supply due to a physical challenge, or simply cannot get any of the others to work, give this one a try. It's a very forgiving piece, fairly comfortable rim, but significantly smaller cup volume. (Get a good teacher who knows how to teach the smaller pieces before going this small.)

VetPsychWars

The outside shape of the mouthpiece has almost zero effect for someone at your level. You have nothing to worry about.

Tom

hagertheherald

As a beginner, in my opinion, you need to make the mouthpiece you have work to a certain level before even knowing if changing mouthpieces will be an option for you.

My experience with cup depths and rim sizes are that comfort does not necessarily yield intonation. Shallower cup depths, for me, record sharp when playing in a recording horn section. For you at your level, keep in mind you may someday need to record with a horn section, and need to choose a mouthpiece that plays in tune with those around you, and that needs to be the overriding factor in choice of mouthpieces.

There is some talk by some people on this site about mouthpiece changes as if they were a pair of socks. The truth is, to me, the equipment only does so much, & the player has to put in a bulk of the effort, especially at your stage in the game.

Practice an hour a day, and you will make the equipment do what it will do. Most of all, have a competent teacher with recording experience guide you through the journey, then go visit him or her when they are old, so you can let them know how very much they were appreciated :>)--HH