[Trombone-l] Mouthpiece advice

[clayton murphy]

A couple of other thoughts . . . . 

Bob, your "immediate response was 'Boy, (student), that is an awfully large mouthpiece for a 7th grade student.'   I have always waited to move a student to a larger mouthpiece until they have developed a strong embouchure, a solid 2-octave range, and a well-supported open sound on the smaller mouthpiece.  The recommendation of the judge goes against my teaching philosophy from all of these years . . . ."   The judge has listened to your student for only a few minutes and probably when the student was playing at or close to his best.  You, on the other hand, have listened to him repeatedly - both when he is playing well and probably when he has struggled some.  You know where his strengths and weaknesses lie and have most likely got a plan to address his developmental needs.  While a bigger mp will address the concern the judge has, the bigger question is how will it help the student address all of his needs that you have addressed?  Your student can work on improving his sound on virtually any mp.  It has been my experience that modeling a good sound and working with them to fill up their horn does far more to help student's sound than adjusting their equipment.  

I would say that moving to a bigger mp is certainly something to consider.  However, you know your student and his developmental needs.  I don't think that I would change my approach simply on the 5 or 6 minute evaluation of a judge that listened to an ensemble.  Work with your student on getting a well-supported open sound, his embouchure.  And, when you think the time is right to adjust his equipment, by all means encourage him to do that.

Murph


> From: bobwoodard at comcast.net
> To: trombone-l at server5.samford.edu
> Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 22:26:56 -0500
> Subject: [Trombone-l] Mouthpiece advice
> 
> I need the advice of those of you who have experience teaching developing
> young trombonists.  What is your opinion about changing mouthpieces to a
> larger cup/bore with young students?  What do you take into consideration in
> deciding on mouthpiece size and how do you determine when it is time to make
> that change (assuming that most students will start on something comparable
> to a Bach 12C, which has always been my standard recommendation)?  Here is
> the situation that prompts this question and makes me question what I have
> believed and recommended about mouthpieces in the 15+ years I have been
> giving private trombone lessons.
> 
> I have a new private student who is a 7th grade boy - has played for a
> little over a year.  He has a great attitude and has worked hard on the
> material I have given him in the 3 lessons we have had so far.  This past
> weekend he played in a trombone trio at a district solo/ensemble festival.
> He was pleased that the group had played well and received positive marks
> and comments from the judge, a retired band director and trombonist who has
> judged students of mine in years past and who has always seemed right on
> with his comments and observations.  My student told me that the judge
> talked with the trio after their performance and recommended to him that he
> get a larger mouthpiece to help open up his rather thin, weak sound.  He
> suggested that this student get a Bach 5G.  
> 
> My immediate response was "Boy, (student), that is an awfully large
> mouthpiece for a 7th grade student."  I have always waited to move a student
> to a larger mouthpiece until they have developed a strong embouchure, a
> solid 2-octave range, and a well-supported open sound on the smaller
> mouthpiece.  The recommendation of the judge goes against my teaching
> philosophy from all of these years, but.......  Teaching practices do
> change, and I am certainly open to new ideas. I do have a great deal of
> respect for this judge's opinion based on his previous track record.  Do I
> need to rethink my ideas about mouthpieces?    
> 
> Any advice/opinions on or off-list would be appreciated.
> 
> Bob Woodard
> Small After School Studio Teacher of middle and high school brass students 
> 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Trombone-l mailing list
> Trombone-l at maillists.samford.edu
> http://maillists.samford.edu/mailman/listinfo/trombone-l

_________________________________________________________________
Connect and share in new ways with Windows Live.
http://www.windowslive.com/connect.html?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_Wave2_newways_112007