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trickg · 05-13-2004, 11:12 AM

Dave,

thanks for the comments. In the past I usually try to practice with both mouthpieces so that I don't have that issue, but I have been so focused on my legit playing that I have let that slide a bit.

As for finding a "crossover" mouthpiece, one that I can use on both legit and rock gigs, I just haven't found one that totally suits my sound requirements for both. The closest I have come is a custom mouthpiece that was made for me by Scott Holbert. I had it made with the intention of being my lead mouthpiece, but I find that the sound I get out of it is almost perfect for when I'm playing 4th book in the Big Band. It is a very free blowing mouthpiece and the sound is big, but it also has a certain amount of edge to it so that it cuts and projects fairly well. I also have decent range, good flexibility and good endurance with it, but it is just a little too edgy to use for legit in my opinion. Like I said, I had it made as a lead piece, but I ended up going back to my 14A4a because it was so free blowing that in that context, I felt almost as if I was falling into the mouthpiece and my endurance wasn't as good as I needed it to be.

I like the 5C that I'm currently practicing with, but due to the inner rim/bite, it feels just a bit too narrow and sometimes I feel a little closed off with it and I'm not as accurate with it as I am with other mouthpieces. The sound is hard to beat though. With the 5C, I have a very smooth yet brilliant sound with a solid core. The question though is do I sacrifice sound for better accuracy by switching to a different mouthpiece, or do I just gut it out, and work towards being more accurate with the 5C?

I might be paying MouthpieceExpress.com a visit today in the hopes of finding something a little different though, maybe a 2 1/2C. (I never really cared for the 3C, but I have always liked the 2 1/2C) I might even look into the Stork standard sized mouthpieces. I have heard many good things about those. I don't intend to turn this into a mouthpiece safari, but at the moment, I just don't seem to have a good mouthpiece that fits me for legit playing in my current arsenal.

05-13-2004, 11:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
trickg Forte User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Glen Burnie, Maryland Posts: 2,054	Dave, thanks for the comments. In the past I usually try to practice with both mouthpieces so that I don't have that issue, but I have been so focused on my legit playing that I have let that slide a bit. As for finding a "crossover" mouthpiece, one that I can use on both legit and rock gigs, I just haven't found one that totally suits my sound requirements for both. The closest I have come is a custom mouthpiece that was made for me by Scott Holbert. I had it made with the intention of being my lead mouthpiece, but I find that the sound I get out of it is almost perfect for when I'm playing 4th book in the Big Band. It is a very free blowing mouthpiece and the sound is big, but it also has a certain amount of edge to it so that it cuts and projects fairly well. I also have decent range, good flexibility and good endurance with it, but it is just a little too edgy to use for legit in my opinion. Like I said, I had it made as a lead piece, but I ended up going back to my 14A4a because it was so free blowing that in that context, I felt almost as if I was falling into the mouthpiece and my endurance wasn't as good as I needed it to be. I like the 5C that I'm currently practicing with, but due to the inner rim/bite, it feels just a bit too narrow and sometimes I feel a little closed off with it and I'm not as accurate with it as I am with other mouthpieces. The sound is hard to beat though. With the 5C, I have a very smooth yet brilliant sound with a solid core. The question though is do I sacrifice sound for better accuracy by switching to a different mouthpiece, or do I just gut it out, and work towards being more accurate with the 5C? I might be paying MouthpieceExpress.com a visit today in the hopes of finding something a little different though, maybe a 2 1/2C. (I never really cared for the 3C, but I have always liked the 2 1/2C) I might even look into the Stork standard sized mouthpieces. I have heard many good things about those. I don't intend to turn this into a mouthpiece safari, but at the moment, I just don't seem to have a good mouthpiece that fits me for legit playing in my current arsenal. __________________ Patrick Gleason email me at: trickg1@hotmail.com "What we do in life echoes in eternity" "At my signal, unleash hell." - Maximus Decimus Meridius