Brasil66

I chipped a high F during a flourish at the end of the Clarke today. At a wedding. Blew right through it and recovered well. It was a typical run that I do there. Surprized me more than anything. And my endurance was compromised elsewhere.

However, I recently switched to a Monette Prana Picc mouthpiece, with its dynamic-super-advanced-high-tech-efficiency. It's shallower than my reguar Kanstul-Burbank "P" mouthpiece (which exists on no comparison charts). Has a rounded rim, compared to the Kanstul. Seems to be a softer, easier, forgiving mouthpiece. Intonates well.

Where did I go wrong in the adjustment to this piece?!? Is it a matter of pressure? Is it a different air flow? Could I be bottoming out?

I don't want to give up on it. Have any of you made the switch to a Monette piccolo piece? What were your experiences? Thanks for sharing. John

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GR 67C; Monette B4, C4
Kanstul CCT 920 Picc, Monette AP4LS
Bach C-239GH, 25S (Wow!)
Schilke E3 D/Eb
Various Rescued Cornets

GordonH

I play a Monette piccolo trumpet mouthpiece and it is the same rame as my Bb mouthpiece. I have not had any problems with it. I did two performances yesterday and they both went as expected.

However, I find that I need to have the instrument well in tune for the mouthpiece to feel at its best. If I push the slide right in and try and play at the wrong pitch it does not feel right so even if I am playing on my own I tune the instrument so A is actually A and it works better.

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I used to have a career, now all I do is play Schumann.

rowuk

WHOA!
Why do you think "chipping" the F has ANYTHING to do with hardware?
Did you have this problem when practicing the piece weeks BEFORE the wedding?

It may be convenient to look at things that you have recently changed as being a problem. That is just projecting the REAL ISSUE away from yourself.

If I make a decision to change something, I know why and what to expect. I also know that my playing consists of habits based on what I have done for years. My body changes with time too. With that knowledge, I tune my practice sessions to take all of the "changes" into account. Before I play one note for an audience, I know that I have adequately prepared - if it is a new mouthpiece, I have spent the time and become used to it. There is no question about compatibility or suitability.

If you did any less, then it is YOUR fault. The hardware is NEVER to blame. Even sticky valves can be compensated for by oiling when you should and not when you have to and brushing your teeth before playing - EVERY TIME!

If your practice time went well, something else was wrong with YOU that day. Mind not on business, full stomach, too little sleep, irregular practice routine before..............

DO NOT EVER BLAME HARDWARE - IT IS JUST A LUMP OF METAL THAT DOES NOT CHANGE CHARACTERISTICS BY ITSELF. WE are in charge of and responsible for our own fate!

__________________
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

Sterling

I too have switched from my normal B6 to a piccolo trumpet A6 for my Schilke P5-4. It took a while to get used to, especially where the pitch center is. Also, the mouthpiece (or the player) behaves differently depending on the size of the room. I played the Clarke for two weddings yesterday and found when I relaxed and sang instead of trying to overpower the horn, I had much more success.

Brasil66

rowuk is right. It is my own fault! What could I have been thinking? Is there a support group for this kind of thing? And I should thank rowuk for this sage advice, "Even sticky valves can be compensated for by oiling when you should..." I woulda never thought of that. My director says I might make first chair if I just keep working hard.

__________________
Brass Sound Creations Bb (BSC) "RF" Model
GR 67C; Monette B4, C4
Kanstul CCT 920 Picc, Monette AP4LS
Bach C-239GH, 25S (Wow!)
Schilke E3 D/Eb
Various Rescued Cornets

rowuk

Brasil66,
My point is not to "chew you out" or be sarcastic. I always find it interesting when and how players analyse problems. Even more interesting is when hardware is pushed up front.

My stand is that preparation always brings the problems up at a time when we can do something about them. What happens at a gig is the sum of our preparation and daily form. When people are listening we need to be prepared. I play Monette mouthpieces and a variety of horns, there was a transitional phase as with any mouthpiece switch. That does not pop up as a surprise during a gig.

The Prana mouthpiece is not "efficient" by the way. It is a lump of gold plated brass. When you relax into it, YOU become more efficient. The Monette website has advice that does not need any amplification:

David G. Monette Corporation

If nothing was apparent when you practiced, you are probably did everything right. That is where you need to look for answers - what was different in YOUR PLAYING/body use at the gig?

Chipping a note in a performance is never hardware.

__________________
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

wilcox96

This is probably just "something that happened". There isn't a trumpet player on the planet who hasn't chipped a note. However, I guess you just haven't had enough time on the newer mpc to get "fully" acclimated to it. Heck, it may not even be for you!

(I agree, in principle, with Rowuk...it ain't the equipment's fault. However, if a piece of equipment is not right for you, then you are not going to be able to "force" it to work well. Therefore, you should probably not "experiment" on a gig. ...which is another toughy, since certain types of gigs can be a better benchmark than a practice room).

You are no High Schooler, John. (don't let him fool you by the comedy). Maybe the mpc is not a fit...maybe it is. Time with it will tell. Regarless, it's one note. Sounds like you were able to move on just fine and didn't let that note ruin the rest of your performance. Good job.

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Sterling

Brasil66, you said that it is a lick that you typically do. It is easy to get distracted and let your concentration wander when playing familiar tunes. It's hard for me to concentrate on Trumpet Voluntary when I'm thinking of the next tune I'm supposed to play in the service. Is the next tune on flugelhorn? C trumpet? Bflat? That's when I get into trouble, when I think too far ahead. Also, as I've said previously, when I try to overpower my A6 Monette mouthpiece, it closes right up. As soon as I relax, the notes flow. Go figure.

Gary Schutza

I don't wish to offer advice on your "problem", but I would like to criticize your choice of words. When we "crack" or "split" or "clam" or whatever, that's one thing. But I would like to see us try and get away from using the phrase "chipping" or "I chipped a note". As someone who has been called Chip his entire life I find this miss-use of my God given nickname offensive. Thou shalt not take my name in vain, in other words!!

by the way, I'm totally not serious about this. Just having a bit of fun.

chip schutza