How to Choose a Mouthpiece with Gail Williams

[@defense9989]

Very good advice, thank you! :) Personally, I (an educational horn major) have very large lips and I used to struggl with my embouchure for over half a decade until I finally found a teacher who told me to get a bigger mouthpiece. Right now, I am playing a very big one with an inner diameter of 20mm (standard is 17.5 mm to 18.5 mm). When I switched to the mouthpiece, I noticed that (although my high register was pretty bad at first) I could play much more freely and had a much better sound. And eventually, my high register came back with a way better sound and a much better airflow. Sometimes, you really have to take some detours to achieve something greater eventually. I have been happy with this mouthpiece for over 3 years now.

[@isaaclitan3907]

I'm questioning my lip size and whether I should get a larger mouthpiece. Thanks for the inspiration 👍

[@defense9989]

@@isaaclitan3907 You're welcome! It does not always have to do with lip size, I know other horn players who get along fine with a smaller mouthpiece though they have bigger lips. But if you feel like your mouthpiece is forcing you to strain or press, give it a try! I was stuck in a loop of not advancing to a higher level due to this for 2 years.

[@fhotzel]

Trumpet player here my range is better (high and low) on a larger mouthpiece, and I get all the overtones that Gail is talking about