Quote:
Originally Posted by k0elw  Read "Jens Lindemann's mouthpiece rant" on Trumpet Herald. Forum: trumpetherald.com
Best thing anyone had written on trumpet mouthpieces, ... ever. |
Very good indeed - Jens even makes the point that the "medium" mouthpieces can also be considered "specialty". I am not sure this applies to all types of players.
IF I am a pro in a symphony orchestra, it is clear that a large mouthpiece will give me the colors that I am looking for.
IF I am a pro and playing the lead book, I need different sound colors and therefore buy a different (smaller) mouthpiece.
IF I am a travelling Artist somewhere in between as Jens is, I need to do things that maybe the other 2 extremes don't and buy a mouthpiece that is in between.
The common denominator is that all of these guys are PROS and really get used to whatever they choose. It becomes an extension of their bodies!
IF I am a normal joe and practice about 1-2 hours a week (or maybe a little more), I can really benefit from the bigger sweet spot as Jens describes it, of a bigger mouthpiece. I see this all the time in amateur players that I work with. The benefit in sound and consistency for this type of player more than outweighs the few high notes less that are possible. This concept also provides great benefits for a local concert band section sound. It also insures that the first book players practice regularly - otherwise they don't get through the rehearsal! A 3C, 1 1/2, 1 1/4, Schilke/Yamaha 17 or 18, or equivalent GR, Warburton or Monette turns out to be a real blessing!
Amateur big band requirements are also MUCH different than the pro situation. The smallish mouthpiece does not give chops with less routine enough room to swell. A bit bigger works here too! Generally the amateur lead book is a little less demanding than Maynard Fergusons book was!
What I am saying is there is a little bit of truth in any of the posts here. The big picture is so diverse that mouthpiece manufacturers will continue to produce everything from toilet bowls to hypodermic needles - and find customers for them. For most of us, the truth is like for Jens Lindemann, somewhere in between!