pdqman

Ingrid,

Welcome to TM, and thanks for the forum.
Your're listed on Mark Curry's website as a
user of his mouthpieces. Just curious if you
have any comments you would care to share
with us about them.

I've got a few Curry's, including a Flip Oakes
WT7, my all-around favorite, made by Curry for
the Wild Thing trumpets.

Thanks,

Jeff

gridjam

I dig the Curry mouthpiece that Mark gave me. I switch it up with my Bach 7CW the I recently got. I have to be honest though, the Bach is so comfortable and slots like mad with my old Bach that I tend to be just playing with it more and more...

Keith Fiala

I too play a Curry 50M, and just love it. I came off of a few Monette mouthpieces that Dave made for me while on tour... never could get them to work for me for long periods... the throats were just too massive. But switching to a Curry improved things pretty quickly. I'm quite pleased with it.

pdqman

Ingrid and Keith, thanks for your responses!

I can't believe I'm trading posts with artists of your level. It's a little surreal for this fourty-something comeback player.

I find my Flip Oakes WT7 is a happy medium in terms of weight between my bach mouthpieces and my curry (standard blank) pieces for all-around work. However, I do use several different makes and pieces (Yamaha Bobby Shew Jazz, Curry TF, etc, since my gigs can encompass anything from "Bach to Rock")

Jeff

Keith Fiala

Hi Jeff,

I've found that doing whisper tones (super soft long tones) will help you settle in to your mpc of choice. It just takes time. Are you more after tone, range, or just all round playing?

P.S. Hi Ingrid,

Maynard spoke very highly of you... I'd love to meet you someday!
Keith Fiala

pdqman

Keith,

I'm focusing right now on getting my chops
back, Clark Technical Studies, etc. So, to answer
your question, I'm working for a solid all-around
sound and then go on from there.

I know you've worked with Pops McLaughlin in the past.
Which of his books would you suggest I start with?

Thanks so much for your time and expertise!

Jeff

Keith Fiala

Hey Jeff,

I think Pops has written some great material over the years... any one of his books would be great. "How The Chops Work" is a really great resource.

The exercises I've been doing are simple and work on other things at the same time. I will do extremely slow / soft chromatic work from low F# to Double C and up (if I'm feelin' it that day). I also work on major scales, minor scales, modes, etc. 2 and 3 octaves. This helps keep the horn on my face for longer periods of time... I try to focus on "less" pressure and refocus the compression to my chops against the mouthpiece... not the mouthpiece being driven into my skull from pressure.

As goofy as this sounds, I also do another thing that Pops recommends (and so did Maynard) - I read flute music. You have to be comfortable with the register that you're playing in... otherwise nerves can take over.

K

krossum

good call. "Daily Exercises for the Flute" by Andre Maquarre (published by Schirmer/ Hal Leonard) is part of my daily routine.

solid.
-Kelly

pdqman

Thanks again, Keith and everyone. I'm bowing out of this thread now. Hope to run into you again 'round the forum.

Jeff

Mark Curry

Ingrid, contact me off-line at mark@currympc.com. You might want to check out the 7TC (new design, new tool in your arsenal).

MC