[Trombone-l] Mouthpiece advice

[michael.purdy@comcast.net]

And exactly how is this 5G supposed to fit into a small shank receiver?  I would be very skeptical of advise about equipment from someone that misses something that obvious.

Mike


 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Bob Woodard" <bobwoodard at comcast.net>
> 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