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I'm curious about different mouthpieces to try. I've never really been big into changing mouthpieces a lot, and neither have my teachers, so I've been playing on my helleberg almost exclusively since high school. Any suggestions on what I might try?

First of all, I would suggest you experiment with rim diameters. It is a fundamental that is 100% personal and is dependent on your preference and physical characteristics.
After you figure out that basic, then you need to experiment with cup styles. Regular cup, Helleberg, Geib, etc.
OK, now to brands, most manufacturers have decent mouthpieces. Lasky, Warburton, Bach, Shilke, Curry, etc. Forget about who plays what, regardless of where they play it. The pros can play a paper towel roll on a broken sousaphone and sound good. Find one that works for you. Rim styles are a part of it. Full cushion like the 24AW to sharp like the Helleberg all have their devotees. Read about mouthpiece design considerations. There are lots of sources on the Web about concepts and many manufacturers have design information on their sites. There are a lot of poeple that favor the sharper narrow rim because it helps tubas with clarity of attack, etc.
Have other people listen to you play different MPs. It sounds different when you are not sitting under the bell. Play a CD like Pokorny's excerpts, if that is the sound you want and then ask people which MP with your horn and you playing it sounds the most like the sound of the CD. Record yourself and see what different MPs sound like through the mic. Limit the variables as much as you can, e.g. Play a Laskey 30 and try the 30G, 30H, etc. That way. the diameter doesn't change but other things do.
Good luck, it's pretty crazy out their, and we haven't even talked about silver vs. gold. vs. stainless, etc.

I played on a Shilke Helleberg II exclusively for over 10 years until I got hooked on the Giddings and Webster blowers. I play the Bayamo on the 6/4 CC and the Bora on the F. I have also been using the Churada on my bass trombone. You may want to think about the Alan Baer model that will be available soon. Looks like a fantastic all around piece. Alan is not only a great player, but is also an expert repairman and instrument designer. The collaboration of Baer and G&W is going to be big. HUGE!

If you find yourself in L.A., you are welcome to come by my studio and try some different mouthpieces. I have a bunch of different brands and 4 of the G&W mouthpieces.

MSM

my question to you is what are you looking to change or improve? that would help us lead you in one driection or another. Also what kind of horn or playing do you do.

ken k

crbarnes wrote:First of all, I would suggest you experiment with rim diameters. It is a fundamental that is 100% personal and is dependent on your preference and physical characteristics. .......Have other people listen to you play different MPs. It sounds different when you are not sitting under the bell...

I second all of crbarnes advice and these two points VERY much!

chevy68chv wrote:I'm curious about different mouthpieces to try. I've never really been big into changing mouthpieces a lot, and neither have my teachers, so I've been playing on my helleberg almost exclusively since high school. Any suggestions on what I might try?

Are you sure you need a different mouthpiece? Many, many pros play using Hellebergs or fairly close variations of it.

When I asked Doug Elliott for mouthpiece advice, the first question he asked me was what I didn't like about my current mouthpiece. Sometimes you have to experiment a bit to realize what that is. But recognize that mouthpiece experimentation should be a very slow, determined process. Weeding out an overwhelming effect so you can focus on what's important ain't easy.

Story: I was initially quite impressed with a G&W mouthpiece for F tuba. I took it home during the Army conference to try it out in a place a bit quieter than the Elephant Room. With TubaRay listening, I compared the G&W to my current F mouthpiece (a Mike Finn 4), and found that the Finn really did sound better, on both my F tubas. But Ivan really wanted input, so I tried to think of what made it different from the Finn, and in terms of sound it was clarity (and the difference was quite subtle--the G&W was really good compared to everything else). But what had attracted me at first was the feel of the stainless steel, and that feel had overwhelmed my thinking at first trial.

So, you have to give a mouthpiece some time before you know whether or not it's better.

In summary, think about what problem you are trying to solve. Random experimentation can get pretty expensive, and it can lead you down the wrong path pretty easily.

Rick "do as I say, not as I do" Denney

ken k wrote:my question to you is what are you looking to change or improve? that would help us lead you in one driection or another. Also what kind of horn or playing do you do.

ken k

I play on a Meinl Weston 2155, and for that I use my helleberg. I also have a Miraphone 181, and for that I use a Tony Clements mouthpiece because it has a similar rim to the helleberg.

The second part is mostly I guess I'm just curious. I've been happy with my mouthpieces but its one of those things where I don't have enough experience with different ones to really make a good comparison. I switched directly from a 24AW about four or five years ago, and aside from the mouthpiece I use for F tuba those are the only ones I've ever tried.

The real challenge for me has been finding a nearby shop that actually carries more than two tuba mouthpieces in stock. however I might be moving to LA next year so that should make it a little easier.

if you like the helleberg style mouthpiece and want to try something a little different, give the R&S TUHHII a try. They are available from woodwind brasswind and its what I play on exclusively. (I am looking into purchasing a few others, but I like this one so much I dont know if I want to) The extra mass of the mouthpiece really seems to help focus and round out my tone.

Have you listened to the Arnold Jacobs clinic recording in the tips section? I listened to it and its got some good stuff about mouthpiece selection.