ConnMan36B

I am wondering what, if any, advantage there is to purchasing a heavy mouthpiece such as the Bach Megatone line? I have not seen many professional orchestral trumpeters using them. I'm just curious.

kadleck

I think that weight on a mouthpiece may add stability or focus to the sound. I don't know about symphony players, but I know that Randy Brecker plays a Bach 3C megatone.

Tony

Shermock

Hello!

If I remember correctly, the megatone has a #26 throat, vs. the standard #27. So it's a bit more open-blowing, but not much.

The extra weight gives a little more "girth" to the sound. However, there are many times when I've been mouthpiece shopping with a student and we decide against the megatone. Sometimes it just doesn't fit the player, when a standard weight fills the bill nicely.

YMMV

Cheers!

Shermock

ConnMan36B

Thanks for the info. guys. I didn't know if there was an noticeable benefit, or if it was just clever marketing. I will head to the local music shop and give a Megatone a try.

SyL

For some players including myself, switching to megatone will make dynamics a bit tougher. You will have a tendency to play too loud. What I did to remedy this was use the Earl D. Iron's book. My megatone was custom made for me(goldplated rim\Satin finish bore) and it is a 1 for size.

I will be honest with you. It took me nearly 2 months to learn how to use and now my sound has never been so deep, so controlled dynamically etc.. I had to sit by my electric piano and buzz the pitches to figure out where they were. I would start on Concert f and move down chromatically to the f below that. Then eventually I was able to produce some very clear pedal tones.

Just remember that if you do make the change, you must do longtones and longtone interval changes to get used to it.

rowuk

The mouthpiece and the horn have to complement each other. The heavier mouthpiece, when it fits, will allow more projection, which means you do not hear yourself as well (but the audience gets more!). Nothing is actually tougher - you just don't have the same "communication" as with a lighter mouthpiece. You can only judge the effects in the type of room that you actually perform in. A music store environment tells you NOTHING about what the piece will do for you elsewhere!

FlugelFlyer

Just to drop in, the mouthpiece is obviously only part of the whole setup, and not only does the whole setup has to be in agreement with you, and it has to sound good to whom it matters the most, usually the guy with some involvement with your paycheck. I agree that it's rare to see a classical player using a heavyweight mouthpiece, but your own Manny Laureano uses a heavy horn and mouthpiece setup. He'd be the best one to ask though about his own setup.

shooter

I've been thinking about switching to a megatone myself. From a standard Bach 3C to a 1.5C megatone.

R.A.S.

I have Bach Megatones: 1 1/4C and 1B

Neither is as efficient (in my opinion, and on my horns) as the Monettes I have that are similar in size: B15 and B15M/C15M

It takes time to determine what is best for you, and most of us have a collection of mouthpieces that represent our search for the "perfect" setup. Don't let this process discourage you. Try as many as you can.