12/15/2012

Find The Best Trumpet Mouthpiece To Suit Your Personal Needs

By Celia Hall


Choosing the best trumpet mouthpiece does require a bit of knowledge. Most players collect many different mouthpieces over the course of their studies and playing careers. Beginners should look to their current private trumpet teachers for advice. School band directors are also very knowledgeable about what works well for young trumpeters. Advanced players tend to favor certain sounds over others and also need particular configurations to help them play stylistically well.

Mouthpieces have different specifications and they are made of many different materials, such as plastic, brass, silver and gold. There are several component parts that need to be considered. The rim, cup, throat and back bore are the significant components. These come in different sizes and are precisely measured. Performers use the combination of measurements that allow them to achieve the sound they want to hear.

If you could peek into the trumpet case of any professional, you might be surprised to find several mouthpieces inside. They may choose specific ones for differing musical functions. Some players also carry extra trumpets which play in different keys to accommodate specific compositions. But, it is the extra mouthpiece or two that is more common to find. The musicians are seeking sound perfection, and will combine the tools they need to attain it. It really does not matter what the style of music will be.

Once professional musicians find the size and shape that works well for them, they tend to focus in on just a few of their favorites. These choices help them to play the musical sounds they perform regularly. Certain sounds are typical for lead commercial trumpet, others work well for sitting in an orchestra section, and still others provide more subdued sounds for smaller classical chamber groups.

Some misconceptions exist concerning these essential trumpet parts. While a smaller mouthpiece will allow for playing a higher and therefore brighter sound, the quality of sound is highly dependent upon the person who is using it. A larger piece will help performers to reach lower and fuller tones, but the sound produced will tend to be of higher quality when an experienced professional is playing. Technique varies among players and therefore one musician can achieve sounds that others may not be able to produce.

Professionals are united in their advice concerning comfort. They do tend to believe that a mouthpiece must be comfortable when playing it. They pay a lot of attention to how the rim feels on their lips, how their breathing is accepted into the cup and throat, and how the back bore can affect they way the stream of air resonates as tones are produced. It is important that the finish of the metals be intact. No one wants to play on parts that might leach harmful metal residue onto their skin.

Trumpeters at the top of their class often collect antique pieces. They enjoy owning mouthpieces that famous musicians have used, and often have great discussions about how a particular person was able to create a distinctive or beautiful sound using these antiques. There is often a camaraderie that exists among players based on searching for the ultimate sound using this piece or that. What is always understood is that the person creates that highly prized sound in partnership with the instrument, but the quest for that one best piece still is ongoing.

Selecting the best trumpet mouthpiece is a combination of several elements. Experience, technical proficiency and musical styles all play a part in the decision making process. Part of the fun of the selection process is the search for that often elusive, yet perfect musical sound.




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