[Trombone-l] Mouthpiece advice

[leveller1@suddenlink.net]

Wayne writes:
<<<I had excellent results when I taught beginners many years ago as a
middle school band director.  I recommended the Bach 6-1/2 AL, and  that was
small enough for the beginner embouchure (most students),  but large enough
to carry the students well into high school.  I had  students to make the
All-Region bands, and later in high school All-
State.>>>

Okay, I'm gonna get flamed here for going against the "one size doesn't fit
all" philosophy (which is correct, or course) but...

Absolutely.

Wayne is right on the money here. So was the judge; but as Wayne suggests,
you might want to try the 6-1/2 first.

If they don't know a 6-1/2 is supposed to be big and more difficult, most
students won't have *any* difficulty with that mouthpiece and they'll tend
to get a more characteristic -- and more satisfying -- sound almost from the
get-go.

And the "more satisfying" part of that, IMHO, leads to more motivation, more
time on the horn, and actually, a *greater* likelyhood they'll develop that
secure high register. As quickly and as easily as they would have on a 12c.

At least that's been the experience not only in Wayne's area of Texas, but
pretty much across this state, I think.   In fact, my grandson's class of
beginners in Austin two years ago were all  started on .525 trigger-horns
and 5G-range m'pieces. I nixed the 5G in favor of a 6-1/2 (my only
interference in the matter) and, (just as my own students whom I put on the
m'piece), he's doing just fine.

Yeah, there have been some great and beautiful players who have played on
12c's and smaller, but, on average, it's my bet those m'pieces have been at
the root of far more discouragement and drop-outs than the 6-1/2.

Me? I still play my Remington, although nobody else seems to play one. ;- )

So there's another $0.02.

kb



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Wayne Dyess" <texastbone at gt.rr.com>
To: "Bob Woodard" <bobwoodard at comcast.net>
Cc: "Trombone List" <Trombone-l at server5.samford.edu>
Sent: Friday, November 30, 2007 10:18 PM
Subject: Re: [Trombone-l] Mouthpiece advice


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