beginner mouthpieces

Alex F · Post by **Alex F** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 10:19 pm

Child or adult?

ai698 · Post by **ai698** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 10:23 pm

Bach 18
Conn Helleberg
Conn Helleberg 7B
Schilke Helleberg

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 11:13 pm

If the beginning band is 6th grade or middle school, I agree with the 25.

Ulli · Post by **Ulli** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 10:24 am

Never an other, you will use for your rest of your life.
My conviction: Better to learn slower with the "right" mouthpiece, than to use first a beginners. I know tubists, they use in age of 70 years theyr first 25er with limited sound and possibilities.
In case of Bb-tuba take a Bayamo, SSH, JKlier 1AA, miraphone TU 41.
Ulli

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 1:58 pm

Indeed. I use a Kelly 18 exclusively on my souzy, not just because of its other physical attributes, but also because for me it sounds good and fits my embouchure.

Kelly also makes other models, most notably a 25 and a "Kellyberg."

Lew · Post by **Lew** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 3:02 pm

bloke wrote:Blessing 18 / DEG-Weril 18 / or (if the person is just a bit clumsy) a Kelly 18.

I agree, but for a beginning player it should be a glow in the dark Kelly 18.

quinterbourne · Post by **quinterbourne** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 3:14 pm

I second the Bach 24AW. It might be a little deep (it will give them a nice sound, though) but the RIM is very comfortable. A nice wide rim, very rounded inner and outer edges is the way to go.

hurricane_harry · Post by **hurricane_harry** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:29 pm

kellyberg

tubeast · Post by **tubeast** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:46 pm

What exactly makes a mouthpiece a "beginner mouthpiece"?
As long as the size fits the beginnerÂ´s physique (all of us started at different ages, didnÂ´t we?), what would be the specifications of a tuba mouthpiece NOT suitable for beginners ?

Steve Inman · Post by **Steve Inman** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 8:27 pm

Doesn't it rather depend on the size of the player's mouth / lips (hence typically, on the age)? I believe I started on a Conn 2 with a Sousaphone in 7th grade (no idea how big/small a Conn 2 even is). Played whatever came with my 186 in 8th grade (early '70s), and with whatever came with the Meinl Weston 25 in 10th grade.

Small player? 24AW
Average size (listed in increasing size)? Helleberg 7B, 18, 12 or Helleberg

Cheers,

ken k · Post by **ken k** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 10:34 pm

ai698 wrote:Bach 18
Conn Helleberg
Conn Helleberg 7B
Schilke Helleberg

what he said depending on the student's size and mouth.

Generic versions such as Faxx, Benge, Kelly, etc. would be fine too.

ken k

iiipopes · Post by **iiipopes** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 10:58 pm

I disagree totally on the 24AW. A beginner needs a more 18-ish middle of the road rim and work on intonation before he decides whether his playing will take him in the sharp Helleberg direction or the cushy AW direction.

ai698 · Post by **ai698** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 11:02 pm

ken k wrote:
ai698 wrote:Bach 18
Conn Helleberg
Conn Helleberg 7B
Schilke Helleberg
what he said depending on the student's size and mouth.

Generic versions such as Faxx, Benge, Kelly, etc. would be fine too.

ken k

Xactly! I use the 18 as the middle of the road mouthpiece. I'll move smaller or larger from there. If they have a hard time filling up the horn, then I'll move to the 7B or Schilke and vice versa. It's not a science, usually a mixture of sound, feel, and luck.