Selecting a Brass Mouthpiece
If you are considering getting a new mouthpiece, there are many variables to consider. There are a million options ranging from beginner all-around mouthpieces to ones that are used for very specific applications. In this article, we’ll begin with some terminology, give a few tips on the mouthpiece-selection process, then we will make a few recommendations for each brass instrument based on what private teachers in our area prefer and what makes the most sense for an advancing musician. At the end of the article there is some information about how two contrasting manufacturers describe their sizing.
I’d like to begin by stating a fact that should be obvious, but is often overlooked: Everyone has different mouths. My lip shape is different from yours, so the mouthpiece that is going to work best for each of us will probably be different. If you’ve done any other research on mouthpieces, you may have been told that “XYZ player uses this specific mouthpiece”. While that information is nice to have, it will have no bearing on what works for YOU. Every player’s setup is completely unique and consists of the player's lip shape and mouth muscles, the mouthpiece they choose, and the horn that they play on.
For the purposes of this article, we’ll be using a Trumpet mouthpiece as the example. For other instruments like trombone, french horn, euphonium, and tuba, the same principles apply although some of the shaping is slightly different.
Parts of the Mouthpiece
The RIM is the exterior edge of the cup. This is the part you put your lips on. They can be wide or narrow, round or sharp, and everything in between. Since this is where the player actually makes contact with the instrument, the rim variables are primarily about comfort.
A WIDE rim will increase endurance since the pressure is more distributed across the edge, while a NARROW rim allows for more flexibility and range. A ROUND rim is more comfortable to play on, while a rim with a SHARP edge increases brilliance, precision of attack, and note accuracy. Too sharp and it can reduce endurance, though.
The CUP is the inside of the mouthpiece. This is where the sound is created, and the mouthpiece’s largest determining factor on tone (Don't forget: most of your tone comes from the player’s own technique, but the mouthpiece can help).The differences from one mouthpiece to the next can be very small, with sizes typically measured in either thousandths of an inch, or fractions of a millimeter.
A LARGE diameter cup will increase your volume and control but can be taxing, and a SMALL diameter cup relieves fatigue and weakness. A DEEP mouthpiece cup creates a darker tone, especially in the lower register, and a SHALLOW cup helps to brighten tone and improve the response, especially in the higher register.
After the buzz is created in the cup of the mouthpiece, it travels into the THROAT and backbore of the mouthpiece before entering the horn itself. All of the air created in the cup gets funnelled into the throat opening, which focuses the sound before it moves into the instrument. A SMALL throat increases resistance, endurance, and brilliance. A very small throat can be difficult to play. A LARGE throat increases blowing freedom, volume, and tone, but requires more air from the player. Too large of a throat and the player can tire more quickly.
Like the throat, the diameter and shape of the BACKBORE influence the tone produced and the amount of resistance you feel when playing. A NARROW backbore will help with high notes, create a brighter tone and increase the overall resistance, while a WIDE backbore will make lower notes sound better and yield a darker tone.
Finding the right mouthpiece shape and cup size is extremely important, and can take a lot of trial-and-error to balance these factors. Some players have several mouthpieces in their collection that they use for different purposes, as a mouthpiece that the lead soloist in a jazz band uses would likely be a lot different than someone sitting in a concert band trumpet section whose primary goal is to blend with their section mates.
Tips for Trying Mouthpieces
1. Figure out your priorities for things you’d like to change.
Is it Tone? Volume? Comfort? Endurance? Range? It’s okay to want to improve all of these things, but you’ll likely have to compromise a little on some of them. Going into the practice room with an idea of the end goal will help you narrow down your search, and help our employees make educated, personalized suggestions to you.
2. Bring your own equipment.
Playing on your own horn and having your own mouthpiece will let you have a “control” to compare against as you experiment with different mouthpieces. With your own instrument, you already know how things are supposed to feel and sound, and can make more informed decisions instead of relying on memory. Of course, we’ll have a horn to borrow if you leave yours at home.
3. Play a variety of music on each mouthpiece.
Even if you are looking for a mouthpiece to scream with, it’s important to try a variety of styles to make sure it’s comfortable in all registers and styles. TAKE YOUR TIME with each mouthpiece, don’t make a snap decision. We recommend giving each mouthpiece a quick warm up, a range exercise, something slow and pretty, and something quick and loud. Feel free to bring in your own music or borrow a book to play from.
4. Try a few different models/styles.
If you’ve only played on one mouthpiece before, it can be extremely helpful to experiment! You can research options ahead of time (this article counts as research!), but you never know what might work best for YOU. Even before you come into the music store, talk to your teacher and see if they have other mouthpieces to try or ask another player to try theirs (Just be sure to clean them carefully to avoid spreading germs). When you come into the store, we encourage you to take several options into the room and sample them against each other and against your own mouthpiece. Oftentimes, people are surprised how much they like the feeling of one they weren’t even planning to try.
5. Listen to your private teacher.
If you’re working with a private teacher or coach, get their opinion. They might have several options for you to try, but they will have the most knowledge about how YOU play, what your goals are, and how to correct specific weaknesses or achieve a certain sound. Your teacher’s opinion is valuable! Always keep your own preferences and budget in mind as well.
Our Recommendations
Alright, you’ve done your research, but you’re still unsure of what mouthpiece to purchase. If you’re looking for some guidance as to which ones to try, here’s a list of the mouthpieces that our local private teachers and band directors are recommending. We have lots of mouthpieces to try out!
Trumpet
Starting out:
Bach 7C: This is the type of mouthpiece that comes with our rental instruments: moderately deep with a comfortable rim shape, ideal for beginners.
Step-up:
Bach 3C or 5C: these are both more shallow than the 7C, to facilitate the higher range.
Schilke 14A4a: a shallower cup with a sharper rim shape to help with pitch accuracy.
Trombone
Starting out:
Bach 12C: This is the mouthpiece that comes with our trombone rentals. Designed for easy response and great flexibility, it is the best-selling mouthpiece for beginners. It’s on the small side, so eventually players will need to size up.
Step-Up:
Bach 6½AL: Larger and deeper than the 12C. The most common step-up mouthpiece.
Bach 5G: A deep cup with a wide rim and larger throat. Good for developing a powerful low register and big sound.
For Bass Trombone: Bach 1½G or Schilke 58: Deep mouthpieces with a powerful low register, larger cup diameter than the 5G.
For Euphonium: Bach 6½AL, or Schilke 51D: a large cup for a dark tone.
**A quick note about trombone mouthpieces: Trombones come in Small and Large shank (the tube that connects the mouthpiece to the hand slide). Most tenor (student) trombones are small shank, but not always. It’s important to know which type of trombone you have, or to bring it with you. Most mouthpieces come in both Small and Large shank options.**
French Horn
Starting Out:
Holton MC or MDC: The Holton Medium Cup, or Medium-Deep Cup is a great all-around mouthpiece for beginners and advancing students alike.
Step-Up:
Yamaha 30C4: A great option with a powerful, rich tone and excellent stability in the upper register.
Schilke 30: The original Farkas Model, it has a wide rounded rim and fairly deep cup.
Schilke 31: This model has a V shaped cup, and is designed to produce a bigger sound.
Tuba:
Starting Out:
Bach 18: A medium cup that is good in all registers and produces an even tone
Step- Up:
Bach 24W: a much deeper cup than the 18, good for a sonorous, rich tone
Helleberg 120S: A thinner rim than the Bach mouthpieces allows for greater range flexibility
Sizing Guide
So what do those numbers even mean? Now that you know what the differences are, let’s learn how to tell them apart. I put this at the end of the article because there are lots of people who just want recommendations, and don’t need to know how they differ or what the numbers stand for. Feel free to skip this section if you’re not interested in the technical stuff, because this is the technical stuff.
For brass, there are generally two configurations for how a company numbers their mouthpieces, and they are totally opposite (rumor has it the founders were sworn enemies, so what one company did, the other company did the opposite. Most other smaller makers follow one school or the other). Once you understand what the manufacturer’s numbering means, you can compare mouthpiece specs with ease.
BACH SIZING
Cup Diameter: mouthpieces are numbered in a progression from the largest to the smallest diameters and from the deepest to the most shallow cup, each with a choice of rim designs. 1 is very large, while 15 is very small. Many sizes available in half sizes (denoted with an H or ½ after the number).
Cup Depths: are notated with letters. “A” cups are the deepest; standard cups have no letter designation; progressively shallower cups are marked B through F. “G” is used to denote a larger throat.
Rim shape: isn’t described in Bach’s sizing shorthand... Nearly all are medium-wide. Extra wide is denoted with a W.
For example: a Bach 7C trumpet mouthpiece has a moderately wide cup diameter, with a medium-depth cup. This is generally considered a good starter mouthpiece for beginners. A Bach 3C is a common step-up mouthpiece as it has a larger cup for more volume.
SCHILKE and YAMAHA SIZING
Regarding the Schilke and Yamaha mouthpiece numbering system, using the model 14A4a as an example:
14 refers to Cup Diameter:
Smallest numbers have the smallest diameters. Diameter size increases as the number increases. (Trumpet mouthpieces range from 5 to 24, and trombone ranges from 45-55)
A refers to Cup Depth:
A. Small – shallow B. Medium small C. Standard (medium size) D. Medium Large E. Large
4 refers to Rim Contour:
1. Roundest 2. Semi-Round 3. Standard 4. Semi-flat 5. Flattest
a refers to Backbore:
a. Tight b. Straight – slightly more open c. Standard d. Medium large- slightly curved out e. Large
So the mouthpiece “14A4a” has a medium-width cup with a shallow depth, a semi-flat rim contour, and a tight backbore, which is good for a player looking for a strong upper register without sacrificing tone. A “13A4” mouthpiece has a slightly smaller cup with a larger backbore than the 14A4a, which makes for a more free-blowing mouthpiece ideal for Lead playing.
Wrapping it Up
You can tell by now that the most important step to finding a new mouthpiece is experimentation. It may take a few tries to find the perfect mouthpiece for you, and as you progress as a player, you may find that what worked in the past is no longer ideal, and you have to start the search over again. If you can understand how they are different you can decide what is best for you. Small changes can create dramatic differences, but don’t forget the most important fact: The best mouthpiece is the one that makes you want to play your horn.
Thank you so much for reading, and if you have any questions, we would be happy to talk in store, by calling or text at 503-385-8790, or you can send us an email at: Sales@wvmc.net