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I'm a big guy playing in my 10th grade band on a Denis Wick 2L. Is this mouthpiece too big for a tuba player of less than two years? Helleberg seems like to go-to answer for school band mouthpieces, am i doing something wrong?

A Denis Wick 2L has a cup diameter of 32mm. That is not that large in the grand scheme of things. That is about the same sized cup diameter as a Conn Helleberg 120S. The Wick 2L does have a little bit wider throat, which may take more air than a Helleberg, depending on the player. That may be the reason you are wondering if it seems large to you. If you sound good on it, keep playing it. You will grow into it. My son did not follow through to continue to play in band when he started in 6th grade, but he would occasionally toot on one of my tuba mouthpieces. He sounded the best on a Wick 2L (old style), so I gave it to him, as I preferred the 1L at the time. Over the next couple of years, and especially if you are considering playing in college, whether or not as a music major, you might even eventually want a mouthpiece with a little bit larger cup diameter, as your jaw and face complete the maturation process (a fancy way of saying when you finish growing up). But for the time being, make sure you are breathing correctly, that your embouchure is centered and firm at the corners, use only the slightest contact consistent with making sure air doesn't leak between your embouchure and the mouthpiece, and play on!

Zoop Soup wrote:Helleberg seems like to go-to answer for school band mouthpieces

I personally like a Helleberg style mouthpiece better than whatever the 2L is, but not everyone feels the same about it.

Donn wrote:

Zoop Soup wrote:Helleberg seems like to go-to answer for school band mouthpieces

I personally like a Helleberg style mouthpiece better than whatever the 2L is, but not everyone feels the same about it.

A 2L is the Denis Wick version of the old British "E-Z Tone." (Not to be confused with a line of Conn trumpet and cornet mouthpieces by the same name) It comes down a little straighter from the rim, then comes in. It is a bowl shape unlike any other. The literature says it is comparable to a Bach 18, but to me it feels different - a little more angular and deeper. Others will say it is more like a Helleberg. But it is not a Helleberg. The Wick 1L is more like a Helleberg.

I get a grainy tone out of a Wick 2L, but if a player's embouchure is suited to it, it is a most versatile, toneful mouthpiece. Since it comes out of the brass band tradition, it is well suited to playing outdoors, including on a sousaphone, with a good response and articulation. With the larger throat, it does take more air. But the OP will grow into it. The word "Helleberg" is not included in its description, although it is described as having a funnel cup. It is a funnel in the sense of an old oil can.

http://dansr.com/files/wickfiles/TubaMo ... enWick.pdf" target="_blank
http://www.dfmusicinc.com/mouthpieceChart.pdf" target="_blank
http://www.deniswick.com/all-products/i ... only/ths2l" target="_blank

Finally, for a concert instrument, to me the current incarnation of a Conn Helleberg 120S is a little bit soft in its articulation, which can help some younger players keep from getting blatty. But to my ears it does not have the articulation necessary for playing outdoors, whether concert or marching, field or parade. It is too vanilla and indistinct to my ears.

I've played a 2L ('Classic') for virtually all my playing career - more than 40 years - and I was 12 years old when I first started using one!. I've tried most all mouthpieces - for a short period of time some of them have felt good but it doesn't take long before I return to my Wick 2L. It just suits me and my style of playing. I can't fault it.