B15M

It's an old school thought that the bigger the mouthpiece, the more lip in there, the bigger the sound. I was taught that way and I play on a big mouthpiece. I still agree somewhat with the idea. to think in extremes, take a shilkie 14A4A (best guess at the size label) and a Bach 1C and compare the sound. Although your teacher doesn't understand the Bach numbering system, he does have some idea what he's after.

To pick a mouthpiece you have to find the correct mix of accuracy, the sound that you want and comfort. It has to fit.

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ewetho

Heck I have a band mate who play a 5C on his cornet and Trumpet. He played in the USMC band while in the service and can't handle the 3C even 4 years back playing.

If the 5 is good for you stick with it.

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Ian000450

Sorry if there is confusion. I did not start on a 5C, that is what these kids started on. I started on the 5B.
If you meant the B that's fine, just clarifying.

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Trumpet(s)/Coronet(s)
Yamaha YCR-2330II




Mouthpiece(s)
Bach 3C
Bach 5B
Yamaha 11E4

ewetho

Nope did not miss it at all. Just commenting that a guy who has played many more years and has been playing for again for 4 years and pretty technically proficient can't play a 3C still. He is stuck on his 5C. Why would you arbitrarily make a student go to a 3C from what they have been doing well on (and it even another Bach that is not that far from the norm).

Like I stated if the 5 series is good for you stick with it.

In the 1 series I like the Ds and Bs much more than the Cs. With a cornet too boot, the 5B is great. Might even try the 5SV, 5MV, or 5V down the road for a more cornet like tone, not that it cannot be achieved on your rig now. I would not suggest a move until you have a reason too for a problem you need solve. You may NEVER need to change!!!

The MP I started my daughter on is a silver version of mine, A CG Personal. It is about a 5-3 size but DEEP and then Vee'd with a large throat and backbore. Last one she should ever need (OK wear or damage may require replacement but size and design is great. I really like the changes on a Bach MP going from a C to B cup. I think you just get more from it.

Read the Jen's Mouthpiece Rant and then ask you instructor why??? What make's it a better choice for YOU!!! Not the line, YOU!!! If you make YOU the best you can be then the line will be better too. SO what does it do for you!!!

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Kanstul Chicago 1001 w/ CG Personal GP
Conn 80A w/ CG Personal GP

Ian000450

Alright thanks!

__________________
Trumpet(s)/Coronet(s)
Yamaha YCR-2330II




Mouthpiece(s)
Bach 3C
Bach 5B
Yamaha 11E4

miles71

WARNING: AGGRESSIVE POST ABOUT TO HAPPEN.

I am getting really tired of the negative comments towards band directors on this forum. Yes, I understand some of them are very bad at their job and have no business telling kids how to become musicians, HOWEVER they are the ones hired to do this exact thing. I hate to inform you guys of this but some of us DO know what we are talking about and take our profession very seriously. I am a trumpet player, but I have also taking the time to learn about ALL of the instruments I teach to include how to play them and what equipment is out there.

Now, as a student if you decide to just ignore your directors instruction, just like ignoring any teachers instruction, you are setting yourself up for a negative outcome. None of us know how you sound on a certain mouthpiece, but the director does. I will agree, putting your section all on a 3C will not magically give you a better sound, but you need to address this to the director privately. I bet if you talk to him you will understand why he made this decision and might even be able to explain why you would like to stay on your 5B (which is a fine piece as well.)

One of the reasons I have not been on TM for a while is because I get sick and tired of the bashing of the school band directors. Unless you have stood in front of school band class for at least one school year and tried to make music, I don't see how you have anything to say in regards to a teachers decision. Perhaps a forum for questions concerning Music Education is in order.

Sorry if this one seemed to harsh, TD

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Markie

What?!?
If he/she wants the trumpet section to have a darker sound, let the director buy the mouthpieces.
Just tell the director your folks can't afford it and trust me, in today's economy, that's probably not far from the truth for a lot of the trumpet players in your band.
Some very knowledgeable people have already suggested this request of your band director for mouthpieces is ridiculous.
I concur.

ewetho

I can see when you have guys on substandard gear or just inappropriate gear (A4a in concert band). I can see it as a guideline suggestion for new students. But if someone has quality gear that is in the neighborhood they should be evaluated separately and explained what the reason is for recommending a change.

Short of that, it is arrogant. Maybe it would have better handled with a short introduction to see what the guys/gals are playing and what they sound like. If all is well leave well enough alone. If there are problems evaluate and make honest suggestions. On occasion you may find someone who need to go the opposite direction than the recommended to fit in better. Happens.

This was the approach of my teachers in Elementary School, JR High, High School, Honor Bands (yes they looked over our gear and had us pull out the most appropriate stuff we had for the venue and suggested changes when appropriate) and the couple of College class (Professor was my PI too for a while) and they guided us individually. Yup they let me play the heck out of my 20D2d back then because I could and the 3C rubbed my crooked tooth. They also would not let some off there 7C cause the had trouble with the 3C.

If they just ask what MP to get as a "NORMAL" suggestion the 3C is a great choice and will fit most. A very good suggestion for almost all. Someone playing on a 5B who is happy and doing well hopefully the instructor takes the time to ascertain a reason for a change. Maybe the student does not sound as good as they think, then a change might be good thing but a choice like that should be a bit more individually based.

Also there have been numerous Pro's on here who also teach and suggest a more personalized approach too.

In short
General Recommendation of 3C - Good maybe Great
Blanket Requirement - Arrogant and possibly detrimental to the student!!

I could not have played that more than the 3 days I did on to bigger stuff. I would have quit not become section leader and Drum Major!

__________________
Kanstul Chicago 1001 w/ CG Personal GP
Conn 80A w/ CG Personal GP

B15M

I feel compelled to post an answer to Miles71

My high school band director was a bass player. He went to school at NEC.
He could conduct the band ok but how could he teach me to play the trumpet? The answer is that he didn't. He taught how to play in the band.

In Jr. high the band teacher was a trumpet player. He also was low key about how to play the trumpet even though he knew. I went to music school and I know that you have to learn how to play all the instruments. The thing is, not well. A band teacher is a hard job. I was lucky to have good ones but, it could have gone the other way easily enough.

The guy that replaced my HS director was a drummer. How would he have any idea what mouthpiece to pick? The answer is he wouldn't.

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Ed Kennedy

I have been a band director and I also ran a repair shop that serviced band programs. Each director is different, some operate with intelligence and others operate with a-one-size-fits-all formula in every aspect of their program. Dictating mouthpiece size falls into the latter catagory. I am reminded of Lt. Sheisskopf in Catch-22 requiring that all the trombone slides move exactly the same. Does every body have to wear the same marching shoe size?

Some band directors need bashing, some don't. By the way, Gerard Schwartz had a stellar career on a 5B before he became a full time conductor.