TubeNet

I am a 74 y/o newbie on tuba...I have about 9 mouthpieces, from a small Yamaha 65 thru
a Bobo Symphonic to some 33mm deep bowls. I find I can play on all of these and, aside
from some difference in tone on the deeper pieces, I don't see a lot of difference in how
I perform on these. I haven't used a tuner exhaustively yet, so that's one thing I could look
at.

What methods do you use to decide which is the best mouthpiece for you. Do you look at
articulation and how the tone begins, the tonal palette the mouthpiece gives you or some
other factors?
-royjohn

Hello,
I only have seven mouthpieces.
Have gone back to my original MP and could have saved myself a lot of messing about and money.
At 74 years old you are wise.
Other posts will provide you with the details of this MP and that and this other one.
I find that what suits me best, is what I like and sounds good.
Best wishes, G

I think that you are making life quite difficult for yourself. I have 3 mouthpieces - 2 that I use regularly ( a 40 year old VB 24aw and an alliance Les Neish) and a PT24+ that I use occasionally.
I would not care to comment on the merits of particular mouthpieces but would suggest that you slim your options down from 9 to 2 or 4 that really feel good to you and ditch ( or sell) the rest

I have dozens. I find slight characteristics matter, and what works on Horn A doesn't always work on Horn B. My criteria:

- has to play in tune, most often this is influenced by the shape / size of the mpc
- has to sound the way I think is best
- feels "right" when I play it, almost like a handshake with the instrument

it really comes down to trial and error and what pleases you first and foremost. Outside of that, it rapidly becomes much more subjective.

As a mouthpiece maker, designer, and specialist in embouchure issues, I like to break itt down into:
Rim inner diameter and shape (how it interacts with your face),
Cup depth and shape (primarily sound quality) and
Shank/throat/backbore (how it interacts with the instrument)

You will play best on a rim size and shape that functions well with your face and embouchure. Some do well on smaller rims and some on larger rims (talking about inside diameter). Outside diameter also has an effect depending on your facial structure. If you get too far from your ideal, you'll be working too hard. I would define "smaller" as 1.25-1.26 inch, and "larger" as 1.30-1.32 inch.

Shallower cups resonate high better and deeper cups resonate low better. Sometimes you can compensate for instrument tendencies or deficiencies by choosing a cup that helps that.


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As a mouthpiece maker, designer, and specialist in embouchure issues, I like to break it down into:
Rim inner diameter and shape (how it interacts with your face),
Cup depth and shape (primarily sound quality) and
Shank/throat/backbore (how it interacts with the instrument)

You will play best on a rim size and shape that functions well with your face and embouchure. Some do well on smaller rims and some on larger rims (talking about inside diameter). Outside diameter also has an effect depending on your facial structure. If you get too far from your ideal, you'll be working too hard. I would define "smaller" as 1.25-1.26 inch, and "larger" as 1.30-1.32 inch.

Shallower cups resonate high better and deeper cups resonate low better. Sometimes you can compensate for instrument tendencies or deficiencies by choosing a cup that helps that.


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