[Trombone-l] Assessing mouthpieces

[Charles DePaolo]

Hi,

I often get this question here at Hickeys.  I feel the single most important thing a customer needs to know about a replacement mouthpiece is not model number, brand, cup depth, etc.  Instead, I feel they need to know specifically what problem they are trying to solve in their playing.  Or put another way, what are they trying to add that they currently do not have.  Are they trying to improve high range? low range? articulation? fuel economy? flavor?!  If the customer doesn't know exactly what they're trying to fix or improve, then they probably don't really need a new mouthpiece at this time.  In such cases, usually the practice room is the solution (yes, I've actually talked folks out of buying something).  Knowing specifics about construction, weight, shape, et cetera can be confusing and misleading unless you are a mouthpiece engineer.  You can find yourself with a drawer full of barely used mouthpieces, the combined value of which can easily exceed that of a decent flat screen TV.  Typically, one main measurement (rim diameter for instance) is accompanied by other geometric issues, such as cup depth, rim shape, bore size and more.  None of these get mentioned or are estimated, loosely described or are simply unknown.  All these elements combine to create a unique playing experience, often one that is unexpected given the particular number assigned to the model.   You have experienced this a bit with the Griegos.  Apparently, Griego has made other adjustments to his designs that either compliment, supplement or even offset the basic cup diameter number.  

My advice is to decide what you want to fix, and then approach mouthpiece selection with that goal in mind.  Someone who really knows mouthpieces will be able to help you choose a replacement, based both on the problem you are having and the mouthpiece you are currently using. Later, when going through the trials, see if anything else is lost as a result (your experience with the 6.5AL shows a loss of tone for instance with a gain of range, not an uncommon situation).  If you find that no mouthpiece gives you an additional playing asset without significant liabilities, then it's possible you don't need a new mouthpiece as much as a different approach to practice and playing.

Hope this helps!

---Chuck

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dave Demko 
  To: trombone-l 
  Sent: Monday, January 07, 2008 4:26 PM
  Subject: [Trombone-l] Assessing mouthpieces


  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.
  Thanks to Newell Sheridan, who travels with more and better trombones
  and gear than some stores have in stock, I was able to try some
  mouthpieces with my horn (and some very nice horns with my
  mouthpiece). The experience reinforced for me the importance of
  verifying by ear and feel whatever differences size, shape, weight,
  and so on are supposed to make according to the spec sheet.
  For example, I tried a Griego 4.5 and 3.5, both a bit larger than my
  5G, expecting them to help my tone quality at the expense of my high
  range. But they didn't make much difference in either. A 6 1/2 AL does
  help my high range while making my tone thinner.
  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?
  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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