BergeronWannabe

Hey Keith, hope you don't me a hijacking...but this is the perfect question I need answered. Right now I have a perfect 'legit' piece and looking for one to enhance range. I've tried similar rim sizes in Curry, Warburton, Giardinelli, etc. The shallower cups are better, but still not what I'm looking for sound wise. What do you think?
Thanks,
-Andrew

pdqman

Mark,

My compliments to you on your great products. I 've
purchased several Curry mouthpieces, as well as your lightweight valve stems, lead sound sleeve, etc.

I've got a request in with PK at Pick Music to order a 60TC
as soon as they are available. It will be interesting to compare it to my 60TF.

Thanks,

Jeff

Keith Fiala

Hey BergeronWannabe,

Sorry for taking so long to reply... it's been my experience with mouthpieces and from taking lessons from Pops, Bob Odneal and listening to Maynard talk about his chops on and off the gig that the mouthpiece is only a small part of what we do. A shallower cup will not give you the screamin' range without doing the work and getting used to your cup.

Pops believes that a shallower / smaller mouthpiece is more efficient. Maynards last mpc. was very shallow but had a huge throat.

What I would try is Mark's "M" or 600 series... I play a 50M and just from doing really soft long tones, have noticed an improvement in my tone. I wouldn't go play an orchestral gig on it, but I am happy with my tone overall.

Hope this helps...

BergeronWannabe

Keith,
Thanks for your reply. I too believe the shallow cup is more efficient for upper register playing. I also believe a mouthpiece will not 'give' you range. The notes are there, just squeaks above G. (above high C) As an older student, I know it has been slowly progressing. I guess my concern is that there might be something I've been missing to help the process along.
I've taken lessons from both 'legit' and 'lead' players and as far as I can tell, my fundamentals are sound and efficient. I'm looking toward equipment as the next factor.
I'll check Mark Curry out, thanks!
-Andrew

Keith Fiala

Another Thought -
For years (as any trumpeter obsessed with high notes) I was searching for a useable Double C. An understanding of a few things has allowed this to happen... relaxing and a balance between airspeed and compression. Maynard, Wayne, Eric M., Roger Ingram, etc. can use a Double C because they've learned to play it like they learned how to play a High C. Eric said many years ago that it's not just air... it's a balance. So, with that thought, I started with G on the 2nd line and got it to feel as though the note was playing itself. Then I moved upward. When I got to G above High C, I noticed a major improvement. As I moved up beyond Double C, I noticed that my first instinct was to tighten up too much - either with pressure or with compressing my lips too tightly.

Just some thoughts that helped me advance...

BergeronWannabe

Keith,
So many good things you said there- thanks! Couple of questions...
you said, "like they learned how to play high C" This made me think, and I'm trying to remember how I 'learned' how to play it. Back in high school, it was press and pray- but now in college (and a couple lessons from Eddie Severn) I 'unlearned' what I learned. However, I'm confused about airspeed and compression because I was taught not to 'push' or 'blow harder.' ?
Also, have you had the squeak experience? Meaning, notes that once were just vibrations that turned into loud, solid tones?
Thanks so much for your help,
-Andrew

Keith Fiala

Hey Andrew,

The squeak experience is how most all of my upper register notes started... or at least nearest I can remember. It took practice to gain control over the balance of compression and air as well as build up the strength in the supporting muscles.

As far as air speed is concerned, you're not looking for a larger mass of air, you just want to make the air go faster... a tighter appeture naturally produces a smaller (faster) air stream with little to no effort of "pushing". Try closing down your appeture into a small hole... Bob Odneal describes it as someone pulling a silk thread out of your chops. Then try to play the softest note (G is my choice) possible.

As for learning to play a High C, they / we had to build up enough strength and courage to be able to play that note in a musical sense. The press and play technique stops working just passed High C - trust me - I tried for years to make it happen, and all I got was a dead tooth from too much pressure.

Remember, you're "playing" the trumpet - not working it. :)

BergeronWannabe

Hey Keith,
Thanks again for your replies, at least now I have a little encouragement in my playing pursuits. I guess it just takes time and proper practice. I'll have to try closing down the aperture and see what happens.
Talk soon,
-Andrew

Bob Odneal

Hi Keith,

Good to see you posting! Hope you are well.

Bob

Keith Fiala

Hey Bob O.

We need to get together dude... drop me a line at bugsytrumpet@gmail.com when ya can. Been playin' a ton and may need more sub work...

K