[Trombone-l] Mouthpiece advice

[Bob Woodard]

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