[Trombone-l] Assessing mouthpieces

[sabutin]

>Listers,
>	I have a question related to the discussion, a little while back,
>about moving students up from a 12C to something larger, even a 5G.
>

---snip---

>	I'm not asking for specific mouthpiece recommendations so much as
>advice on an approach to evaluating mouthpieces. I'm not even sure I
>want to change, but I'd like to explore the possibilities in a
>systematic and sane way. Any suggestions?


Blindfold tests.

Line up several m'pces of roughly the same size and rim type; shuffle 
them with your eyes closed (Or have a helper do the blind parts for 
you...MUCH better but usually rather wearing on the helper after a 
while. Ask my son for more on THAT matter. >:-o ), and try them. Look 
first for general comfort and sound. Mark down which one seems best.

Shuffle, reset, and try other parameters.

High range, low range, dynamic, articulations, flexibility, etc.

Eventually one will recommend itself.

Then...PLAY THAT M'PCE AND THAT M'PCE ONLY FOR AT LEAST THREE WEEKS 
OF GOOD HARD WORK. Play through the inevitable 'Now it sounds/feels 
terrible!!!" stage, which is simply the time during which  your old 
way of playing is in flux as you adjust to the requirements of the 
new m'pce.

Then...if it does NOT get better after several weeks...return to your 
original m'pce and keep looking.

This is process that I I have used for almost 30 years of serious 
equipment search, and it has worked through at least 4 stages of 
musical necessity in my professional development, on ...oh, on 4 or 5 
really good .500 to .509-ish jazz horns, maybe 4 really good .525-ish 
instruments and 2 or 3 great basses. Plus a couple of tubas, a couple 
of .547 horns and the occasional valve trombone and euphonium as well.

Have fun.

I am...

S.

>	I'm planning to spring for some lessons for the sake of "course
>correction," and I'm thinking that a teacher's ears and guidance will
>be very useful in evaluating mouthpieces.
>
>Thanks,
>Dave D.
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