Mouthpieces

[The Jackson]

You probably found a better high register with the Yamaha because their Standard pieces are (By my standards, at least) on the small side, in every respect. A smaller piece (Rim I.D., throat and cup volume) usually brings out a better high register, but doesn't deliver in the lower register.

There are no set-in-stone "good" or "bad" mouthpieces. You decide if you don't like them. That's really it.

Throughout your playing, definitely try out as many pieces as you can. Using that experience, gather information on what you want in a mouthpiece dimension-wise and such.

I think Conn really did well with their 120-S. I bought and used it for a year after using a school's 24AW and I think it was a great choice.

One year (and one stolen Helleberg) later, I was on the hunt for a new piece. The real catalyst for my choice of mouthpiece was trying out the PT-48 belonging to a music ed student that was interning at my school. I loved playing on a school's YBB-641 and knew that this was what I wanted (Wide funnel). After that, I looked all over the Internet (I didn't have a private teacher or TubeNet at this time) and read everything I could on brass mouthpiece design and the different tuba makes and models out their.

I was very lucky to find an amazing deal on a Marcinkiewicz CH H2 and I took it. Added to the wide funnel characteristics of it, the H2 is also a bit heavier than most piece, which I also enjoy.

Before you take a stab at buying a mouthpiece you've never tried, or have little idea of what it might be like (and most likely expend a hefty amount of cash), try out as many as you can. That way, you can really get an idea of what you want.

I've never tried a Loud, but I hear mostly good things about them, especially the LM-7. Be wary, though, as the LM's are made of stainless steel and not the brass that you have been playing. Steel has a different feel than brass, so I'd suggest you try a steel piece beforehand.

Be cautious, though, that you don't become a member of Mouthpieces Anonymous. Mouthpieces cannot perform magic and will not transform you into a better playing. A good mouthpiece fits you and lets you play like you (allen bear lol).

Here are some links that should help you out:

http://www.dwerden.com/Mouthpieces/tuba.cfm
http://www.musiccentralwebsite.com/brass_mp_tips.htm
http://www.militarymusician.com/xcart/p ... ?pageid=12


Gewd Lhuk!

[tubacrow]

By your screenname I wonder if you march with the Kilties. If so you have a couple sources there. You chould ask Chester, or you could have him put you in contact with Stephen Jones. I
would ask to try a couple different types before I settled on what I wanted. you mention you were in college, you might be able to try some of your fellow students mouthpieces, or you could talk to your professor. I know I have collected a rather varied assortment of mouthpieces, and sometime loan one or two out for students to try.
While we could all recommend what we have tried and seen work for other people, mouthpieces are a personal choice. I choose to play on pt49 for my CC and a pt72S for my F, but when I marched I used a Miraphone C4. It is a matter of two things what you sound good on, and what you feel comfortable with. Either of these may vary with the horn, and what you sound good on this horn does not mean it will sound good on the next