[Trombone-l] Mouthpieces

[Daniel Pliskin]

> I'd like to comment on "new mouthpiece syndrome." Having experienced it
> over and over, and having heard similar stories from many people, I'm
> pretty sure I can explain it. The problem stems from "learning" the new
> mouthpiece. ...

I've switched mouthpieces many times and haven't found it to be anything but a joy.  If I want to alter my basic tone, the first thing I do is try a few of my favorite mouthpieces.  Even if I'm just warming up after a period of playing English horn, the first thing I do is find a mouthpiece that at  least lets me enjoy my tone, while I warm up.  I may switch mouthpieces a few times, during those few days, until my chops are back in trombone mode.  Then I settle in to a mouthpiece and stay with it until I find myself playing double-reeds again.  And it starts all over when I get back to trombone.  

Surely there are mouthpieces that simply don't work with a particular trombone, but for the most part, the only thing that changes, when you change mouthpieces, is your tone shifts.  So why not start out with a mouthpiece that gives you the tone you want to hear?  Sure, you  learn something, trying to get that dark sound you're after on a 12C.  Sisyphus already went there.  No thanks.  

You talk about how much work it is to get used to a new mouthpiece.  But how  much work are you doing trying to get the tone you're after with a mouthpiece that doesn't help you get there?  

What am I missing?  Is it some machismo thing?   

DanP
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