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I think the 6 1/2 is a good place to start. Once the beginner gets a feel for it... and you the teacher sees what he/she can do range wise... you can move up or down (most likely larger in size if the student is practicing)

Just my opinion. I started on 6 1/2 myself and now use a Doug Elliott set up.

I think the 6 1/2 AL or Yamaha 48 is great for a young student.

It all depends on the age of the player. Many elementary age kids will have better success with a smaller mouthpeice than a 6 1/2. King used to make a mouthpiece that they sold with their "baritones" back in the 60's and 70's I think it was a 13M. What a great mouhtpiece, small rim like a 12 or 7 but with a deeper more v shaped cup. Great mouthpiece to start kids on and it gave those old bell front baris and great sound. Another good one is a Bach 7, but you don't find them around too much. It has a deper cup than the 7C. HS beginners would be fine with a 6 1/2.
ken k

I have worked with a few kids at an early age. I recommend the 12C or equivalent. Mainly because it corresponds with a smaller embouchure better and has a tighter throat for backpressure which can help young'ns. Depending on their performance and progression, they may change after a short period of time or stay with the 12C for a while.

Matthew Gilchrest wrote:I have worked with a few kids at an early age. I recommend the 12C or equivalent. Mainly because it corresponds with a smaller embouchure better and has a tighter throat for backpressure which can help young'ns. Depending on their performance and progression, they may change after a short period of time or stay with the 12C for a while.

Agreed. I like the 12C for ease of tone production in young players. The 6.5 is a great middle school and early hs mp but not until they're big enough or are otherwise ready.

--paul;

If possible I would start all my beginners on a 5G. I feel that half the reason so many young players have small sounds and don't use a lot of air is that they don't have to to produce a buzz on the smaller mouthpieces like the 6 1/2AL. I mean, we all assume that you start small and gradually progress to larger mouthpieces as you can handle them. What if you started with a bigger mouthpiece and taught them to play (buzz) with a big sound using tons of air, and then gave them something smaller to play on that suited them better. I only ask this because when I started buzzing a tuba mouthpiece in the mornings (and later started playing tuba), my euhonium sound really opened up and became much, much easier to play.

For a younger student, a Bach 7 is a good choice. 6 1/2 AL would be appropriate for 8th grade, but too large for younger students.

Awwwww, Smooches.......

You're making me blush!!!!

That's okay, I love you too sweetie..........

BTW, Sly is already planning on going out to reunion week at Share-a-man's place this summer, and if it's the first week (6-12 I think), I think I'm going to go as well..........any plans?????