Trumpet Mouthpieces

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Trumpet Mouthpieces

• College Trumpet/Horn Methods
• Kenny Piatt

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Trumpet mouthpieces come in many shapes and sizes
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A mouthpiece will help you to play very
beautifully.
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Or to play very HIGH!
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There are many mouthpiece makers

• Bach
• Schilke
• Yamaha
• Monette
• Bob Reeves
• Jet-Tone
• Blessing
• to name a few

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There are many parts to a mouthpiece
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Inner Rim Diameter

• The inner rim diameter is one of the most
  important parts of a mouthpiece
• A smaller diameter allows for easier upper
  register playing, while with a larger diameter
  volume and darkness of tone increases

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Rim Contour

• Because the rim is where the lips contact the
  mouthpiece the most, rim contour is very
  important
• Contour can be flat or curved, but most players
  prefer flat because it allows for a clearer
  attack and easier flexibility

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Rim Thickness

• Rim thickness can be wide or narrow
• A thick rim is used for players with thicker
  lips, but it reduces flexibilty
• A thin rim offers greater flexibility, but
  decreases endurance

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Rim Bite

• Rim bite can be sharp or soft
• A sharp bite can offer cleaner attack, but if it
  is too sharp can limit flexibility
• A soft bite will be more comfortable at expense
  of a clean attack

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Cup depth

• Cup depth is very important, and preference
  depends on the player
• A shallow cup allows for ease of upper register,
  but the player can bottom out and tire quickly
• A deep cup offers a big, dark tone, but upper
  register is more difficult

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Throat Diameter

• The throat diameter can be long and narrow, or
  short and wide
• A long, narrow throat provides high resistance,
  fast response, and easy high register
• A short, wide throat requires a lot of air, but
  results in a large open tone

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Backbore

• The backbore follows the throat, and affects
  pitch, timbre, and resistance
• Like the throat, a narrow backbore results in
  bright tone, more resistance, and upper register
  ease, and a larger backbore increases darkness of
  tone

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Weight

• Some manufacturers add more weight, or mass to
  the mouthpiece. This is supposed to darken and
  stabilize the sound

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Get out a sheet of paper and label the mouthpiece
parts!