Mouthpiece recommendations

[Steve Inman]

What would everyone suggest as a good mouthpiece for a prospective professional in college? As of now, I'm using a pretty generic Blessing 24AW, which just doesn't give me the darkness of tone I want or the range. It's a very big piece, really only good for volume.

-Devin Page

Things to note:

1. a 24AW is not a wide diameter cup -- it's a bit more narrow than "average", but it IS deep
1a. it is popular amongst Eb tubists in the UK, according to posts on the old TubeNet

2. What kind of tuba do you have? Is it an "American" or a "German" style of horn? You have sonic options here:

2-1: Brighter horn / brighter mpc -- American style -- (I define as a wider bell flare, such as my Conn 56J) tuba combined with a cup mpc such as the Bach 18 (a little larger than your 24AW) or a Bach 12 (a nice mpc similar in size to the Conn Helleberg in cup diameter).

2-2: Brighter horn / darker mpc -- wider bell flare with something like a Conn Helleberg mpc, for example

2-3: Darker horn / brighter mpc: Meinl Weston 25 BBb / Bach 12 or Miraphone C4. Meinl Weston (more reserved bell flare and heavier metal) tends to have a darker, more focused sound. Many folks (not all) like a shallower bowl-shaped mpc to add some overtones to the sound, so it's not quite as dark (Dark = fewer high harmonics in the sound)

2-4: dark horn / dark mpc: MW 25 with Conn Helleberg

These 4 combinations will have significant differences in the sound you get. You may not have much flexibility with your choice of instrument. But it is easier to make changes in your mpc. Since your audition will be a solo performance, you might "buy" a couple mpcs that are different (one funnel shaped, one bowl shaped) on a trial period (I think Brasswind will do this). Ask a group of friends or family what THEY think sounds "better". Go for a pleasing solo sound for your audition. Next, ask your teacher or band director what THEY think sounds good -- for ensemble playing. This is the other mpc you should have -- unless they happen to be one and the same (lucky!).

My $0.02,

[Normal]

Devin,

Please forgive me if I have your story wrong or things have changed in the last three weeks. You said in earlier posts that you have an audition with the college of your choice, FSU, on January 22. Three weeks or so ago you were asking for hints on the Vaughn Williams and decided to play something else. Now you are looking for a different mouthpiece to increase your range and create a darker sound. You've got your work cut out for you!

You are getting great advice here on a mouthpiece, but you need, IMHO, a different type of advice and you need it fast. You need someone who knows tuba techniques to listen to you, especially, you playing your audition piece. A trained tuba teacher could give you advice on whether or not you are on the right track. OR They can answer the question, do you have the right mouthpiece now? I wouldn't change mouthpieces unless you really have a problem that a new mouthpiece can solve. Remember also that it sometimes takes playing time to adjust to a new mouthpiece.

There are many things that can go wrong with an audition. The more familiarity you have with your equipment and your music, the less chance that nerves will get you during your audition.

You are involved with a bit of a gamble. Consider the risk of things not going the way you want. If you are a very solid tuba player with nerves of thick brass and you have nothing to lose, go for the changes and play your heart out at your audition. Good Luck!!!!

[WoodSheddin]

The Helleberg is THE standard mpc.

I have not played on a Helleberg style mouthpiece regularly for several years. There are a good number of us playing on bowls.

[MartyNeilan]

Like this guy?