siarr

Hi, folks,
I just treated myself to a couple rotaries, a Ricco Kuhn C and a Scherzer picc. They're both beautiful, great-sounding horns, but I haven't found the right mouthpieces yet. I play a stock Bach 2C on my 239G and feel that I need something perhaps a bit deeper, but I'm not an expert at throats and backbores. Also, I know that it will take some time to get used to the different blow and resistance. As far as the picc, I've had fair results with a Reeves 43, but I have big problems playing a shallow piece. The rim on the B&S 7E that came with the horn is too small for me. Anyone have any recommendations for these rotaries? Also, I've been looking for some detailed instructions or suggestions on the use of the C- and A- keys (klappe) that come on the C trumpet. Many thanks in advance for your assistance. Play on...

MrClean

Rotaries sound better with funnel or V-shaped mouthpieces. I play a JK 4B.

Use the C key for the high C, the A key for the "high" A.

Vulgano Brother

The "typical" old school German mouthpiece had a large diameter, fairly shallow cup, and a long shank. In Bach terms, a 1B with 24 backbore and 24 throat is often used; I use a Curry BC cup with his cornet length shank and Monstersleeve to excellent advantage. On my Scherzer piccolo I use a Curry "Z" cup, also with the cornet length shank and Monstersleeve. Believe it or not, Jerome Callet makes a Bb leadpipe for the Scherzer that will give it a HUGE sound.

Have fun!

RG111

I use the Laskey "Picc" on my Scherzer piccolo. I can't speak for other rotaries.

Roy

siarr

Many thanks for the ideas. I'll check them out. I'm also planning to drive up to see Terry Warburton sometime this summer and will be looking at some new 'pieces I heard about. Meanwhile, I am indeed having fun with my new toys, and eagerly watching the mail for a Yamaha Chicago C I ordered. On the Scherzer, mine arrived with the 3 Bb pipes, but no A, so I'm also waiting on that. It's a puzzle trying to match pipes with mouthpieces, but a pleasant one! Thanks again, take care,

Chas Reskin

rowuk

There are 4 traditional "schools" of german mouthpieces: Cologne, Leipzig/Dresden, Bremen and Vienna. None of those mouthpieces had a funnel shaped cup. They were all bowl shaped and they matched the horns from the respective area. The "Cologne"(Monke for instance) style mouthpieces didn't work well with the Leipzig trumpets(Heckel).
The modern rotaries like the Kühn are designed with standard mouthpieces in mind. Because of the different bracing, you will not hear yourself the same as on an american trumpet. Rotaries also have a unique sound for the low middle and high registers. I would say, keep using what you have until you can define what YOU think should be different. I use the same mouthpiece for my piston and rotary horns.
A picc is ALWAYS trial and error. I do not think that there are any set rules that really apply. In my opinion, intonation is the first consideration, then the blow and last the sound!