Who said mouthpieces don't matter?

[Dan Schultz]

One thing is fairly certain.... it's nearly impossible to play a tuba without a mouthpiece

[Kevin Hendrick]

One thing is fairly certain.... it's nearly impossible to play a tuba without a mouthpiece

It can be done -- use the end of the leadpipe instead -- but the low range goes away completely (the high range is great, though!). Also, be sure the end of the leadpipe has no sharp edges before you try it ...

[tubamirum]

Size of the lips is not a factor. If you disagree, check out the jazz greats.

[Carroll]

I know that when I played trumpet I had smaller lips, I play tuba and my lips have grown to match the instrument. Maybe I'm the only one

Hey, me too!

Of course when I played trumpet I was six...

[Lew]

I know that when I played trumpet I had smaller lips, I play tuba and my lips have grown to match the instrument. Maybe I'm the only one

Hey, me too!

Of course when I played trumpet I was six...

That's funny, most trumpet players just have the mentality of a 6 year old.

[windshieldbug]

Who said mouthpieces don't matter?

I think it was a viola player who sat too close to the bass trombone...

[Leland]

The suspense is killing me! Who said mouthpieces don't matter?

I don't know if I ever actually said that, but I'll actually agree -- in the sense that my opinion of a mouthpiece doesn't matter.

I can like what I like, but that doesn't mean that anyone else will like the same ones. Therefore, I refuse to give specific advice on what someone should get for themselves.

[TubaRay]

The suspense is killing me! Who said mouthpieces don't matter?

I don't know if I ever actually said that, but I'll actually agree -- in the sense that my opinion of a mouthpiece doesn't matter.

I can like what I like, but that doesn't mean that anyone else will like the same ones. Therefore, I refuse to give specific advice on what someone should get for themselves.

I believe my advise, or that of another knowledgable brass player could be quite valuable. I disagree that my opinion doesn't matter. I would agree that it is not particularly helpful to someone who knows what they are doing in selecting a mouthpiece. We need to remember that many players, including some on TubeNet, can find a little information and guidance to be quite helpful. Furthermore, a student might find it valuable to listen to mouthpiece suggestions given by that student's private(or otherwise) teacher.

Just my opinion. I know. I know. My opinion doesn't really matter....

[SplatterTone]

I recall a band director holding up a horn and saying: This is not the instrument. Then, taking the mouthpiece out and holding it up: THIS is the instrument. Then, holding up the horn again: This is just the amplifier.

Mabye a bit of an exaggeration to make a point. It is a point I have not forgotten.

Then there is the case where you take a trumpet mouthpiece and put it into the backbore of a tuba mouthpiece, in which case there is no doubt that one of the mouthpieces is the instrument.