Strad37

Hey I was wondering if any could help me with this. I play 2nd chair in a local jazz ensemble. We have a pretty big library (over 200 charts) ranging any where from Standards, to Maynard Ferguson, to Latin, to Gordon Goodwin, etc. The second book has a lot of different styles of solos and I have been trying to keep up a double embouchure so that I can play all of the different styles correctly. I use a Yamaha Bobby Shew-lead mouthpiece for any swing, latin, etc. as well as a Bach 5c for any ballads or patriotic songs. I have been having trouble keeping up that double embouchure and I am wondering if anyone has any good excersises that could help or any other advice for me. Thanks.

Schwab

I think you should pick one embouchure and stick with it. All the guys I know who can play all the styles correctly play with one embouchure, the only change they might make is to switch mouthpieces to change sounds from classical to commercial.

Brekelefuw

Personally, I am not a member of the "one mouthpiece per genre of music" crowd. I use one mouthpiece and one embouchure for everything I do. This keeps me playing consistent because I know exactly how it will feel everytime I play.

I agree with Shwab.

Strad37

O.k. I was wondering if that would be the case. Should I just stick to one of the two I have or should I be looking for something in the middle? What are you guys using right now?

Brekelefuw

Use what gives you the most benefits, and remember, range is only one small part of those benefits. Choose the one that you can get around the horn easily on, that helps you get the sound you want, that responds the best, that doesn't hurt your lips, etc etc etc

Strad37

I think that I'll probably end up on the 5c. It just has such a good tone and I totally agree with you, range isn't everything. Once again, thank you so much for the advice! Hope to see ya around!

Ray Vega

Amen and Amen!
You go Schwab!
Switching embouchures can lead to some disastrous results. I've seen several players crash and burn in the middle of a gig when they're not able to navigate the different chop set-ups.
Peace-RV

rowuk

I switch mouthpieces depending on horn or general style. I find it makes more sense to use a shallower mp when I need a bright sound than to try and get that sound with my "orchestral" piece. Another switch is when you play flugelhorn, the deep vee mouthpiece gives me a sound to kill for. I do not switch because of range-ever. When I am in the big band, where we are amplified, I go with the bright sound - it prints better to the mic.
I do not change "embouchures" though. My lead piece is not so shallow that I have to bend anything.
If the difference between the Shew lead and 5c is too great, then that is not the right combination. One of the two will have to go and be replaced by something better. I don't know if there is a 5D or 5E, but there is a 7D and 7E that may fit your needs. The only way to know is to try it. I have no personal experience with the Shew MPs.
I believe that the mouthpiece can be a big help depending on the types of playing that you have. It is much easier to get a slightly shallower mouthpiece to brighten up your sound instead of wasting energy trying to get dark sounding hardware brighter. If the rims are essentially the same, the switch is a piece of cake.

stchasking

I had to have a cutom 5D made. It is a screw rim because I asked for a certain feel such as a 5C rim with a 5D cup and a 5C standard back bore. I can still use the MP but have since moved on.

Just for comparison I ordered a 7DW a few weeks ago. It hasn't arrived so I can't comment on the 7DW compared to my favorite 3D.

Good luck on your search. I have found the 3D to do it all for what I do. I have a church gig in December and I'll use the 3D.

Vulgano Brother

In the long run, people don't really need to hear Miles or Chet or Wynton or Maynard or Freddie or ________. They should be able to hear you, so go after the mouthpiece that truly lets you sound and play like you want to! Using different cups with the same rim for different sounds is a far safer way to adapt the equipment to yourself than trying to serve two masters.
Good luck!