fatcat

So I lurk here a lot, and I don't post all that often, but I had a very interesting (in the nicest sense) trumpet experience today, and I thought I'd share and try to get some help at the same time.

To start, I've always been a skeptic when it comes to lead mouthpieces. For a while back in highschool, I searched around playing this or that shallow piece, but none of them did anything for me (except brighten my sound). I've been playing a Yamaha 16C4-GP for 4 years or so now for absolutely everything, and I like my sound on it, and my range is consistent up to High Eb, the F is there for the end of a song, and the G over High C is there on good days. The whole reason for this (longwinded) post is that one of my trumpet mates just got a new lead mouthpiece that he's been going on and on about for the last week. (a Curry 600 series 90s), and I played it. My first thought was that my sound just got incredibly bright, and that it was weird to feel the backside of the cup with my lips. But! the G over High C came out effortlessly. Anything above was obnoxiously squeaky (and we all know that if a lead trumpet player says that, it really must be bad), but it was weird to have that range.

So my questions are;
-Have any of you had a similar experience?
-Is it natural to feel the other side of the cup when playing a lead mouthpiece?
-Should I buy one of my own?

wilcox96

Your experience really leads me to your 2nd question right off the bat. Since you say you got the G...then were squeaking... I wonder whether, after playing for a while on that mpc..that "more" notes (including the G and several below that) would start squeaking out or stop speaking? You obviously have some lip intrusion into the cup... which may or may not be too terribly bad a thing. However, as you tire/play more... since your lips are already a bit impinged into that cup...would you lose tone/range? Something to think about...but is only tested by ...leading to question number 3....

Buy or borrow one for a while. What might help keep your lips out of the cup a bit is a tighter backbore...but again, all of this is conjecture. It's up to you to see what works. Heck...maybe you do "better" with your lips in the cup! Who knows?

I wouldn't sacrifice all (tone/comfort/sound/dependable range) for something that gave me one note plus some unusable squeaks for 5 minutes. See what I'm getting at? Take some time with this. Experiment with one...see what works. How does it sound/feel "all" over the horn? In playing material you normally play? Playing material you "want" to be able to play?

Good luck..and have fun!

__________________
Brad Wilcox
NYTC Endorsing Artist
Stage 1 California Light w/Rose Brass Bell
Bach Strad Flugelhorn
GR Mouthpieces
http://www.newyorktrumpetcompany.com...rad-wilcox.htm

http://trumpetland.ning.com/profile/BradWilcox

fatcat

Thanks,
I wasn't looking at buying the mouthpiece for the one note... I'm considering it more as a way to make the notes leading up to it easier, especially as I get tired. Our marching band director has gone a little nuts this year, and we have a 3 hour practice where we're yelled at to play everything up and full out the entire time, then we have two parades around campus, two mini concerts on our way to the football stadium, the football game itself (including field shows for pregame and halftime) and then a 30 minute or so concert on the field postgame. I know that a lot of people here have gone through similar, it's just hard to still be hitting all the high notes loud at the end of the day.

I was going to start looking for a place to buy from the offered a trial period of some kind. There is 1 small music store in the area, and they don't really have anything other than the standard Bach pieces.

wilcox96

fatcat...

I first wanted to say...I knew you weren't just enamored by the 1 note. I only stated that to make you think of the bigger picture. Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders....

You definately have a tough schedule and an overbearing director. You're also right that many (me included) have gone thru it. As long as you aren't doing any damage, this entire experience is probably going to help your endurance in the long run. Hang in there. You might try and find places to lay back a bit or at least pace yourself (maybe work amongst the other players - noting sections where each can lay back a bit then visa versa?? You all can find ways. ). Maybe talking to your director on the side about what you all are experiencing may help. I know he is trying to push you all ... getting the best out of you... but if the performances end up lacking because you all blow yourselves out in rehearsal...? Only you guys can know that.

Okay...back to mpc... There's tons of internet stores that have trial periods. The catch is, paying for all of them up front and dealing with shipping back the ones you don't like. (or re-selling). I know you'd like to find a dealer who has some things in stock or might be willing to order some things for you to try. Point is..you gotta jump in there..seek this stuff out...take a trip to a place...etc.

Best of luck.

__________________
Brad Wilcox
NYTC Endorsing Artist
Stage 1 California Light w/Rose Brass Bell
Bach Strad Flugelhorn
GR Mouthpieces
http://www.newyorktrumpetcompany.com...rad-wilcox.htm

http://trumpetland.ning.com/profile/BradWilcox

Dave

Since you are in Portland, maybe a trip to Mr. Monette would help.

wilcox96

Wow! I didn't even pay any attention to your location. Dave...good catch!

fatcat...you should be at Monette's w/in minutes after reading these posts!!!!!!! What an opportunity you have - right there. DO IT!

__________________
Brad Wilcox
NYTC Endorsing Artist
Stage 1 California Light w/Rose Brass Bell
Bach Strad Flugelhorn
GR Mouthpieces
http://www.newyorktrumpetcompany.com...rad-wilcox.htm

http://trumpetland.ning.com/profile/BradWilcox

fatcat

Yeah, I've been meaning to take a trip there for a while. The problem right now is that I'm actually away for school and that I don't have a car. I'm definitely planning on going over Christmas break (barring finding a way to borrow a lead piece and discovering that I can't live without it).

Related to the director, we all have talked to him about it, but I think his thoughts are that the music we're playing this year isn't as high as it was last year so we can play a lot more. Unfortunately we have about half as many first trumpets and we're expected to sound just as loud, which makes it just as hard all over again.

Thanks for all the suggestions