Problems With a Mouthpiece

Dupee · 07-08-2009, 03:29 AM

Recently I have discovered that the mouthpiece I have been using for the last 2 years is not the size I thought it was. I had gotten a USA 3c mouthpiece, which I had never heard of before. I thought that it was the same size as a Bach 3c, but I was wrong in thinking that. I know that different brands make mouthpieces with different qualities, but this was pretty insane. The USA 3c I'm using has a smaller cup than a Bach 7c!

Well, I've come a long way with this mouthpiece, but since marching band this past year, I've been having major problems with my playing. I would be on that famous "trumpet rollercoaster," but it seems different for me than with other because I will go down to a pit where I cannot play much higher than a G right above the staff, but then a week later I can play the G an octave above that. It's really affecting me and each time I go down, I more and more want to just give up playing.

I didn't know what the problem was because I had never had this problem until now, but now I'm thinking that it may be due to the mouthpiece. I know that air is key to playing the trumpet, but could the mouthpiece be negatively affecting me? If so, what mouthpiece should I try out?

Brekelefuw · 07-08-2009, 08:15 AM

I think that if the mouthpiece has worked for two years, regardless of what size it actually is, then it is a change in your playing habits that has affected you.

Bob Grier · 07-08-2009, 01:03 PM

Your 3C USA is probably stencil line. A mpc that looks like the brand name on the outside but is

Bob Grier · 07-08-2009, 01:09 PM

Sounds like your mpc is a stencel line mpc. made to look like a brand name on the outside. But the inside where it counts is inferior. I've seen many mpcs like this. To the inexperienced player they seem to work OK until I hand them a quality mpc. Them they realize they have gotten use to something that has been making them work way to hard. It's been holding them back. try some brand name mpc. Bach, Yamaha, Schilke, Curry, Stork, etc. There's a reason they are more expensive. You get what you pay for. By the way the same is true for trumpets.

Dupee · 07-08-2009, 01:41 PM

That sounds right to me because when I try to play on a 5c (which DEFINITELY has a larger cup than the USA 3c), it feels so much different and almost seems like it takes a whole different technique to play it, which it shouldn't.

Phil Kersh · 07-08-2009, 02:25 PM

I'm all for name-brand equipment. All too often, I've known young players (or parents) that thought that an inexpensive alternative would produce an identical result. Not so. I'm a big fan of trying out a number of different mouthpieces (say at a music store) and if the cost is an issue, there are so many used versions on eBay or on Craigslist, you will be able to get something that works. Remember though, it's the local music store that can help (if they're good) you choose from a number of options, and thus they deserve fair consideration when making a final purchase. I have a store here locally that when a student comes in and needs a new mouthpiece and the funds just don't work out, a couple of the sales people re-direct them to the in-house repairman who has a box full of "used" mouthpieces that the store doesn't openly market for sale. Good luck!

jazztrumpetlicks · 07-11-2009, 10:53 PM

I wouldn't worry about my mouthpiece as much as I would worry about my chops.

Definitely look into a different trumpet routine or something to help get things moving in another direction.

07-08-2009, 03:29 AM	#1
Dupee New Friend Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 5	Problems With a Mouthpiece Recently I have discovered that the mouthpiece I have been using for the last 2 years is not the size I thought it was. I had gotten a USA 3c mouthpiece, which I had never heard of before. I thought that it was the same size as a Bach 3c, but I was wrong in thinking that. I know that different brands make mouthpieces with different qualities, but this was pretty insane. The USA 3c I'm using has a smaller cup than a Bach 7c! Well, I've come a long way with this mouthpiece, but since marching band this past year, I've been having major problems with my playing. I would be on that famous "trumpet rollercoaster," but it seems different for me than with other because I will go down to a pit where I cannot play much higher than a G right above the staff, but then a week later I can play the G an octave above that. It's really affecting me and each time I go down, I more and more want to just give up playing. I didn't know what the problem was because I had never had this problem until now, but now I'm thinking that it may be due to the mouthpiece. I know that air is key to playing the trumpet, but could the mouthpiece be negatively affecting me? If so, what mouthpiece should I try out?

07-08-2009, 08:15 AM	#2
Brekelefuw Forte User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,533	Re: Problems With a Mouthpiece I think that if the mouthpiece has worked for two years, regardless of what size it actually is, then it is a change in your playing habits that has affected you. __________________ Schilke B3L Schilke XA1 Bach 37 180 ML Chinese custom horn Yamaha 6310G Wedge 5B, 5A and 5FLG After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music. ~Aldous Huxley

07-08-2009, 01:03 PM	#3
Bob Grier Mezzo Forte User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 743	Re: Problems With a Mouthpiece Your 3C USA is probably stencil line. A mpc that looks like the brand name on the outside but is __________________ Bob Grier, An Old Pro Web Cam trumpet & jazz improvisation lessons bgrierjr@triad.rr.com Schilke B5 GB bell NY Bach ML 37GB Bb 1949 Benge 7X 1985 Conn 22B 1940s King Liberty Silversonic 1975 King Master Model Siversonic cornet 1975 1985 Bach C L 229GB 25A 1985 Bach D ML 239 1985 Bach Eb ML 239 1967 Martin C ML rose brass bell 1985 Selmer Paris Picc with Osmun A pipe & Blackburn Bb pipe 1975 Getzen Eterna Flugelhorn 1985 Yamaha YFH 635T Flugelhorn

07-08-2009, 01:09 PM	#4
Bob Grier Mezzo Forte User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 743	Re: Problems With a Mouthpiece Sounds like your mpc is a stencel line mpc. made to look like a brand name on the outside. But the inside where it counts is inferior. I've seen many mpcs like this. To the inexperienced player they seem to work OK until I hand them a quality mpc. Them they realize they have gotten use to something that has been making them work way to hard. It's been holding them back. try some brand name mpc. Bach, Yamaha, Schilke, Curry, Stork, etc. There's a reason they are more expensive. You get what you pay for. By the way the same is true for trumpets. __________________ Bob Grier, An Old Pro Web Cam trumpet & jazz improvisation lessons bgrierjr@triad.rr.com Schilke B5 GB bell NY Bach ML 37GB Bb 1949 Benge 7X 1985 Conn 22B 1940s King Liberty Silversonic 1975 King Master Model Siversonic cornet 1975 1985 Bach C L 229GB 25A 1985 Bach D ML 239 1985 Bach Eb ML 239 1967 Martin C ML rose brass bell 1985 Selmer Paris Picc with Osmun A pipe & Blackburn Bb pipe 1975 Getzen Eterna Flugelhorn 1985 Yamaha YFH 635T Flugelhorn

07-08-2009, 01:41 PM	#5
Dupee New Friend Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 5	Re: Problems With a Mouthpiece That sounds right to me because when I try to play on a 5c (which DEFINITELY has a larger cup than the USA 3c), it feels so much different and almost seems like it takes a whole different technique to play it, which it shouldn't.

07-08-2009, 02:25 PM	#6
Phil Kersh Pianissimo User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Provo, Utah Posts: 71	Re: Problems With a Mouthpiece I'm all for name-brand equipment. All too often, I've known young players (or parents) that thought that an inexpensive alternative would produce an identical result. Not so. I'm a big fan of trying out a number of different mouthpieces (say at a music store) and if the cost is an issue, there are so many used versions on eBay or on Craigslist, you will be able to get something that works. Remember though, it's the local music store that can help (if they're good) you choose from a number of options, and thus they deserve fair consideration when making a final purchase. I have a store here locally that when a student comes in and needs a new mouthpiece and the funds just don't work out, a couple of the sales people re-direct them to the in-house repairman who has a box full of "used" mouthpieces that the store doesn't openly market for sale. Good luck! __________________ Mt. Vernon Bb - Monette B1/2 Monette C937 Bach 229H C with Malone MC2 - Monette C1/2 Schilke P5/4 Yamaha YTR-9610 Eb/D Bach 184 Bb Cornet

07-11-2009, 10:53 PM	#7
jazztrumpetlicks New Friend Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 2	Re: Problems With a Mouthpiece I wouldn't worry about my mouthpiece as much as I would worry about my chops. Definitely look into a different trumpet routine or something to help get things moving in another direction. __________________ Trumpet Master rocks! Jazz Trumpet Licks Forum

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