Will a shallow trumpet mouthpiece actually improve your range and endurance? Tool Talk with DWP!

[@GordonHudson]

I have big lips and didnt get a decent range and tone until i switched to big mouthpiece. I do use specialist mouthpieces for piccolo and lead trumpet, but thats for sound and intonation rather than range. I can play double top C on a Wick 2 cornet mouthpiece, but it sounds awful.

[@InfiniteQuest86]

Yeah that's really good. I have a gig double G, much higher in practice room. I have the same range on anything, but the key is efficiency. A "lead" mouthpiece just makes the job easier.

[@Darlexis]

I have a couple mouthpieces and i like the 3c! It always works for me and the notes are where i think they’re going to be plus it gives me a good endurance. I also have a bobby shew 1.5 marcinkiewicz e9.1 mouthpiece and it’s a bit shallower. I tried using it full time as a kid and it really was tough because it would cease up on the middle register even after a little bit of time. I’m trying to learn how to use it so that doesn’t happen.

[@gregorysloat4258]

I don’t think it’s about a shallow mouthpiece giving you extra range. It won’t give you more range than you already have. It will just give you it for longer before you’re worn out. It’s about finding that balance between there being so much resistance from the mouthpiece that you’re fighting against the horn and working too hard, or so little that you’re having trouble providing enough air to keep the stream going and it feels like you’re being sucked into the horn and you’re working too hard. You want a mouthpiece that runs on that line between those two extremes, where you have a nice, relaxed, easy and efficient blow; not so easy, that you’re getting sucked in, and not so difficult that you’re fighting to get the notes out. That balance will be different for everybody and may also be dependent on the type of music you predominantly play. I think first, you find the rim diameter that works for you, something that is comfortable for you in all playing situations, and then find the cup depth that gives you that balance you need to be right on the line between too much and too little resistance. Then, if you need to adjust your cup depth for the kind of music you’re playing, you can go shallower or deeper as needed, but the one constant is you have the security of always playing on the same rim. So, using the Bach numbering system as an example, let’s say you play on a Bach #3 rim. You might use a 3C for concert or “legit” playing, and a 3E for lead playing. You might also just play on one or the other all the time if it’s giving you that consistent balance between too much and too little resistance, if you’re satisfied with your sound in various musical situations. The only way to find out is to experiment. Once you find the right rim diameter, however, I think that should remain the constant, and do your experimenting with the cup depth.

[@Luismartelo.trumpet]

Yes Josh 💪🏼🎺

[@explodingsausage6576]

Who the hell are these people? Are Wick just hiring anyone these days?

[@davidsader3218]

I think you actually mean, "IS" (in the singular) Wick just hiring anyone these days? And yes, anyone can apply because everyone has a different perspective on something as complicated as a brass instrument. No single person is exactly the same as another, especially as far as lip size, lung capacity/strength, and other physical attributes too numerous to mention, not to mention, experience.

[@explodingsausage6576]

@@davidsader3218 My statement refers to the fact that Wick seem content on saturating the brand with absolute nobodies who have contributed the bare minimum to music. The point of having artists is to make your brand more exclusive, and handing out artist deals to literally hundreds of utter unknowns is massively cheapening the brand.

[@davidsader3218]

Okay, I understand. Thanks for clarifying. Point taken.@@explodingsausage6576

[@apeschell]

Who are you?

[@apeschell]

One is a you tube jazz guy that seems pretty well known in trumpet circles.