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rowuk · 03-08-2008, 06:17 AM

ebogga,
I take a different approach to playing the picc than many others. I feel that the proportion of a picc to a trumpet is the same as a trumpet to a trombone, and that demands a smaller mouthpiece.

That feeling is backed up with the requirements of most of the picc settings which are chamber music. Generally the trumpets are too loud OR when they turn the volume down, do not have the necessary brilliance. Most of the Bach or Handel repertory are NOT trumpet concertos with choir and orchestra accompaniment. That means that players that have equipment that gives us the most colors in the dynamic range between ppp and mf have an advantage.
I used a Bach 10 1/2 C for many years on my G and Bb/a piccs until I switched to Monette. Now I am using an AP5 and BP5 which are approximately picc versions of a 7C. I NEVER have to balance a symphony orchestra or wind band with the picc, so being able to blow walls down with that horn is insignificant. The higher pitched stuff like Bolero I play on the D or my large belled G. To balance a wind band, I have a Selmer Eb trumpet.

My suggestion is to take time and try EVERYTHING that you can get your hands on. Without having your horn in my hands, it is hard to judge what is needed. I pick mouthpieces by addition and subtraction. A no to any facet of playing eliminated the piece. Put it in the horn - comfortable? Play octaves - are they in tune? Sound good? Check flexibility-OK? Check upper register, slotting.
After 5 or 10 mouthpiece trials, the real problems become apparent and then it becomes easier to sort out what works and why. Oh yeah, I almost forgot: you need to try the mouthpieces in larger acoustic spaces. A mouthpiece/horn combination reacts MUCH differently in a small room than in a large one.

03-08-2008, 06:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
rowuk Moderator Fortissimo User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 4,365	Re: Picc mpc with Bach 1 1/4C rim ebogga, I take a different approach to playing the picc than many others. I feel that the proportion of a picc to a trumpet is the same as a trumpet to a trombone, and that demands a smaller mouthpiece. That feeling is backed up with the requirements of most of the picc settings which are chamber music. Generally the trumpets are too loud OR when they turn the volume down, do not have the necessary brilliance. Most of the Bach or Handel repertory are NOT trumpet concertos with choir and orchestra accompaniment. That means that players that have equipment that gives us the most colors in the dynamic range between ppp and mf have an advantage. I used a Bach 10 1/2 C for many years on my G and Bb/a piccs until I switched to Monette. Now I am using an AP5 and BP5 which are approximately picc versions of a 7C. I NEVER have to balance a symphony orchestra or wind band with the picc, so being able to blow walls down with that horn is insignificant. The higher pitched stuff like Bolero I play on the D or my large belled G. To balance a wind band, I have a Selmer Eb trumpet. My suggestion is to take time and try EVERYTHING that you can get your hands on. Without having your horn in my hands, it is hard to judge what is needed. I pick mouthpieces by addition and subtraction. A no to any facet of playing eliminated the piece. Put it in the horn - comfortable? Play octaves - are they in tune? Sound good? Check flexibility-OK? Check upper register, slotting. After 5 or 10 mouthpiece trials, the real problems become apparent and then it becomes easier to sort out what works and why. Oh yeah, I almost forgot: you need to try the mouthpieces in larger acoustic spaces. A mouthpiece/horn combination reacts MUCH differently in a small room than in a large one. __________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.