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I am trying to find a good tuba mouthpiece for me to play on for band. I have been playing on a Vincent Bach 22, but I don't like it. I don't feel like it responds well, and playing loudly doesn't sound good with it. I have not had the same problem when I tried other mouthpiece sizes. While I realize that most playing problems begin with the individual, not the equipment, I am simply looking for any ideas about particularly good mouthpieces. Thanks!

Even that mouthpiece plays well for some combination of tuba and player. The same is certainly true for every other widely available mouthpiece, to the extent that I don't believe there is any such thing as a "particularly good mouthpiece." If you have access to a somewhat representative selection of other mouthpieces you can try, that's worth 1000 times what any of us could tell you.

Donn wrote:Even that mouthpiece plays well for some combination of tuba and player. The same is certainly true for every other widely available mouthpiece, to the extent that I don't believe there is any such thing as a "particularly good mouthpiece." If you have access to a somewhat representative selection of other mouthpieces you can try, that's worth 1000 times what any of us could tell you.

+1

Finding a "good" mpc is an individual, personal thing. Everyone is different and has a different oral cavity and embouchure. That said, it might be a good idea to buy a Kelly 18 and a Kellyburg. They are cheap, and are good all-around mpcs -- one is a bowl (Kelly 18), the other a funnel (Kellyburg), and then go from there if you need to

tooba wrote:Finding a "good" mpc is an individual, personal thing. Everyone is different and has a different oral cavity and embouchure. That said, it might be a good idea to buy a Kelly 18 and a Kellyburg. They are cheap, and are good all-around mpcs -- one is a bowl (Kelly 18), the other a funnel (Kellyburg), and then go from there if you need to

This excellent advice bears repeating. +1

The 2 Kellys are a good place to start. For me personally, one of the key criteria was the rim, especially the inner part. The Conn Helleberg, for instance, despite all the praise it got at the time I was starting out, felt uncomfortable for me, with its narrow cushion and sharp "bite." Others with softer, wider rims just felt better. There's no disgrace in liking a mouthpiece other people don't like - sound, intonation, control, flexibility, range, and how you feel playing it are the things that matter.

I like the Warburton/Canadian Brass "Arnold Jacobs" mouthpiece. Thin rim, wide and deep cup, plays well loud and soft. For me. It might not work for you.

I realize that what is considered a "good" mouthpiece varies with the individual, but I was just looking for any particular mouthpieces that I should try. Thanks for all who have posted suggestions. In regards to the person who posted that having a large selection to try would be worth 1000 times more than anything that I can be told, I would agree, but I have only been able to test two other sizes that my school had on hand. I am currently looking into purchasing a Miraphone TU29 mouthpiece to try. Has anyone tried one, and have comments about it to offer?

Yodachihuahua wrote:I would agree, but I have only been able to test two other sizes that my school had on hand.

Well, here's the thing - it's going to take you a while to settle into a new mouthpiece. I mean, a more normal size will probably improve some things right away, but you aren't going to get as much out of it, the first day, as you will after some time with it. Nothing is going to set your tuba on fire right now, it's going to take time and work. The point is just to check for individual things, a very good example being jeopardymaster's preference for a particular kind of rim mentioned above. Past that, any normal mouthpiece is an equally good starting point.

The TU29? Haven't seen one, but published dimensions make it rather on the large side of normal. That means it's perfect for a few people - just like the Bach 22 is perfect for a few people. Normal is perfect for more people. If you're serious about playing well, you'll look for something that you can play well on.

Go with the Kellys... They're cheap and a good jumping point. Sell whichever one you like less. Even if you get something later, it's nice to have one for outdoor playing.

Ooh, we need an Official List of Mouthpieces That Are Unsuitable for Professional Use!

Herco might have achieved this distinction with some of their mouthpieces, from what I read.

For all of you recommending Kellys, I must say no. I don't think the plastic mouthpieces that I have played are as good as a normal mouthpiece. I don't like the way they make my tone sound like I just started playing tuba.

Yodachihuahua wrote:I have not had the same problem when I tried other mouthpiece sizes.

And...........what sizes where these other mouthpieces??? Maybe start there???

Yodachihuahua wrote:I have only been able to test two other sizes that my school had on hand. I am currently looking into purchasing a Miraphone TU29 mouthpiece to try. Has anyone tried one?

Yes, that is a pretty LARGE mouthpiece, but if it works for YOU, then that is what matters. I sold mine, because it
was just too big for my face! (Your Mileage May Vary)

[/quote]And...........what sizes where these other mouthpieces??? Maybe start there???

One of them was a Yamaha 67C4. I don't remember any others. The 67 was better than the 22, but I liked some of the others better. One time I went to a music shop near home and tried a Miraphone mouthpiece. It was the best mouthpiece I have tried.

http://www.dwerden.com/Mouthpieces/tuba.cfm" target="_blank
Here's a good online tuba mouthpiece size chart (albeit somewhat outdated) but it does give specs. so you can compare mouthpieces of different brands in the size(s) you prefer (when you establish that)
One thing that I have always noticed about Bach tuba mouthpieces is that the throat sizes (bore) are considerably larger than most other brands (in a given size range) especially the "Megatone" series, which usually are approx. 9mm.

TubaMusikMann wrote:http://www.dwerden.com/Mouthpieces/tuba.cfm" target="_blank
Here's a good online tuba mouthpiece size chart (albeit somewhat outdated) but it does give specs. so you can compare mouthpieces of different brands in the size(s) you prefer (when you establish that)
One thing that I have always noticed about Bach tuba mouthpieces is that the throat sizes (bore) are considerably larger than most other brands (in a given size range) especially the "Megatone" series, which usually are approx. 9mm.

Thanks! This is the type of information I was looking for.

One thing I did, and you might try, is to visit the classified forum on this site.

When I decided to make the switch from euphonium to tuba, I spent about $100 on a handful of used mouthpieces. One of which is the one I now play on, which is the Perantucci PT-48S. I think I paid $40 for it, and it works great for me.

What is your budget? If it is $100 or less, then a copy of a Helleberg or a used mouthpiece might be in order. If $100 to $200, the universe expands geometrically and you can get lost in the forest. I'd try a Helleberg or something similar with @ 1.30 cup diameter and moderately deep cup. That will be different enough from a Bach 22 that you will know it is completely different, but you can turn around and sell it if you find something later that you like better.

I have purchased a Yamaha Jim Self mouthpiece, and I already like it much better. It is a much better mouthpiece for me. Thanks for your helpful comments!

Congratulations on your purchase. Now go practice!