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BleekGilliam · 03-02-2007, 11:35 AM

Hi,

I've been playing trumpet for about 7 years now. Most if not all of my playing is small group jazz and the occasional church solo gig. I've been on a Warburton 4MC with an 8* backbore but I have a Monette B4S that I frequently try out in the practice room. I LOVE the sound that the Monette gives me. Dark and silky one minute but brilliant/edgy when I step on the gas. It's a very flexible piece and probably the best I've ever played. The only downside is I seem to run out of gas faster. Even though Monette lists it as the size of an "old 3C" it feels bigger than any Bach I've ever played. Comfortable - but bigger. When I brought it the B6 felt way too small so I went with the B4S.

Since I don't have any gigs lined up over the next few months I'm thinking of making the switch. The sound difference is nice enough to my ears to work through the change. I'm only concerned about the size. I've read on some of the other forums that if someone doesn't practice 4 to 5 hours a day - a big mouthpiece is a dead end street. I practice at least an hour to 1.5 (not including rest) during the week and more on the weekend if I don't have to gig. Is that enough daily practice to support a piece this size? I considered going to a B6 but it feels way too small. Since they recommend going to a larger size the B4S seemed like the logical choice.

I know from lurking that we have some Monette users on the site - I'd love to hear your thoughts with regards to getting acclimated. I've already learned a bit just from searching the forum. I've got the guide and have been reading it - I'm sure I will have more questions and hopefully the folks here can help me out.

Thanks all!

03-02-2007, 11:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
BleekGilliam New Friend Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2	Moving to a Monette B4S Hi, I've been playing trumpet for about 7 years now. Most if not all of my playing is small group jazz and the occasional church solo gig. I've been on a Warburton 4MC with an 8* backbore but I have a Monette B4S that I frequently try out in the practice room. I LOVE the sound that the Monette gives me. Dark and silky one minute but brilliant/edgy when I step on the gas. It's a very flexible piece and probably the best I've ever played. The only downside is I seem to run out of gas faster. Even though Monette lists it as the size of an "old 3C" it feels bigger than any Bach I've ever played. Comfortable - but bigger. When I brought it the B6 felt way too small so I went with the B4S. Since I don't have any gigs lined up over the next few months I'm thinking of making the switch. The sound difference is nice enough to my ears to work through the change. I'm only concerned about the size. I've read on some of the other forums that if someone doesn't practice 4 to 5 hours a day - a big mouthpiece is a dead end street. I practice at least an hour to 1.5 (not including rest) during the week and more on the weekend if I don't have to gig. Is that enough daily practice to support a piece this size? I considered going to a B6 but it feels way too small. Since they recommend going to a larger size the B4S seemed like the logical choice. I know from lurking that we have some Monette users on the site - I'd love to hear your thoughts with regards to getting acclimated. I've already learned a bit just from searching the forum. I've got the guide and have been reading it - I'm sure I will have more questions and hopefully the folks here can help me out. Thanks all!