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Originally Posted by barato  I may soon get a new mouthpiece for better flexibility and some other advantages I needed. I am looking into a Bach 3C, but the problem is I don't have any stores around that will allow for trying mouthpieces. Is there any online services that allow you to try a mouthpiece, then to purchase it or something else of that sort. If I do find a store around me to test the mouthpiece, do you take your instrument with you to test the mouthpiece or do they supply one for you to try it on? |
Umm barato,
flexibility is not instowed by a new mouthpiece, even if the ads do imply that that is possible!
I agree that one should experiment as there is no fool-proof method for picking THE RIGHT mouthpiece however!
Any time that a post starts out with the notion that a mouthpiece (or horn) will cure anything, I get the urge to rant. Hardware CAN make our job "easier" BUT only PRACTICE creates cooperative chops. If you have a flexibility PROBLEM, the mouthpiece could MAYBE be PART of a solution, but only your daily ROUTINE will ultimately produce the results.
Figuring out if a mouthpiece really offers any benefits takes at least a couple of weeks. It may feel good at first, but many times after 4-6 weeks, everything is back to where it was before. This is long past most time periods for return. Play testing for less time doesn't give you the whole picture.
If you are looking for a 3C, I am sure that there are TMers with drawers full that would be happy to help. Just do not expect the mouthpiece to fix something that only practice can!
It is real easy to spend someone elses money - especially on the internet. It is tougher to guide them to the BEST solution for a particular playing situation. I am very conservative when it comes to mouthpieces and expectations not related to sweat.
The only meaningful test is on the horn you will be using the mouthpiece with (unless the store can create uncertainty about your present trumpet - leading to the next promise of instant virtuosity and urge to spend money!!). The interaction between mouthpiece and horn is sometimes more fickle than an intimate relationship.