mattcraig06

Hey Tony, I'm just writing with a few questions which I am in the process of trying to figure out! I currently play on a bach 3c and a marcinkisicz (spelling...) e9.6 which is the closest rim to the 3c they make. I have been reading the same thing from one after another of pro's as yourself that if you play to sizes you should try and go big to small. I have however been trying that and have some difficulties at time. It seems if I play to much on my 3c at first than it feels awkward and limits the playabiltiy of the smaller mouthpiece. I have been trying to incorporate the switching into my routine as to allow versalility without the hurdle of having to majorally adjust everytime I switch! Any suggestions? Also what kind of lip slurs do you do daily? Thanks very much!

Matthew Craig

kadleck

Hi Matthew -

I always warm up on my largest mouthpiece (currently a Bach 5B) first. That being said, if the bulk of your playing is going to be on your Marcinkewicz, I might limit the amount of time you spend on your 3C. And don't hit it too hard with the 3C. When you move to the smaller piece, try easing into it. Don't assume that if you warm up on the 3C, that you'll be able to just jump right into the Marcinkewicz. Also - try doing the same warm up routine on both mouthpieces.

Lip slurs - I just start on a low C going up to G and back down to C, B up to F# and back down to B, etc... Then I keep going up the overtone series (G-C & down chromatically, C-E, E-G, etc... all the way up). This can be tedious, but I find it quite helpful.

Thanks -
Tony