Mouthpiece experimenting? Euph

[NotABaritone]

Hey all! I would appreciate any suggestions. I play on a DEG Bowman BB1BT large shank with my YEP 842S horn, and I love it. It serves me well in nearly all the rep I have looked at.
However I could possibly use a mpc with a shallower cup to assist my extreme upper register. (And yes, much practicing).

The Wilby Concerto, for example is great on the Bowman, as long as I punch the air through properly of course. Now I am playing repetoire consistently above C5, which is very challenging to open up the tone on the very deep cup Bowman. Should I try something like a laskey 85MD? I am really unsure.


Thanks

[MSchott]

I don't know the science but in m experience high range is more about moving enough air than a shallow cup. When I switched from a 51D to a Wick SM4M my high range improved immensely. I can easily play to a high Db cleanly and for relatively long periods of time now.

[Bombardonier]

I use smaller cups to get a brighter sound (and this sound, paired with playing in a higher range, might be more approrpiate for some pieces that call for a more characteristic turn-of-the-century baritone sound). I actually use a deeper mouthpiece for higher range playing as I have an easier time moving the air I need to support the tone. No, I don't attempt to "overblow" the higher range...rather, the increased demand for air for tone production reinforces the support I need to play in the higher range. It seems like a paradox, but it is not. I have a much easier time playing high notes on a Shilke 57 (or a 1.25G) than I do on a 52E2 (or a 6.5AL)...Try some different mouthpieces and see (listen, feel...) which one supports your best use of air! : )

[NotABaritone]

Alright.. Getting my hands on other mouthpieces is always a challenge, but it can be done.

MSchott, what you said doesnt really support your initial statement. Granted more airflow IS the key factor, is the SM4M not MUCH smaller than the 51D?

[pgym]

Alright.. Getting my hands on other mouthpieces is always a challenge, but it can be done.

MSchott, what you said doesnt really support your initial statement. Granted more airflow IS the key factor, is the SM4M not MUCH smaller than the 51D?

The 51D is considerably smaller than the Wick 4's (25.5 vs 26.0).

Yup.

The 51D is toward the small end, both in terms of diameter and cup volume, of what most consider the "normal" euph mouthpiece size range, while the 4AL is close to the middle.

I have also found that a move to a bigger piece (SM4U to a Warburton Demondrae) combined with thinking of "faster air" took my high range from a squeaky C to a solid Eb.

I had the same experience moving from a 4AL to a Warburton Demondrae (though it should be noted that Demondrae believes most euphers use mouthpieces that are too deep, so the Warburton Demondrae was designed to be wide but relatively shallow).

[Bombardonier]

Sure...52E2 might be a good place to start...followed by DW/SM 3.5M...Bach/Blessing/generic American 3G...still not big enough...try the 57 and 2G and 1.5G... This list includes relatively "non-exotic" models that should be available at most larger dealers.

[PMeuph]

There's also the Mike Finn PS Solo you might want to try. It's pretty similar in shape and size to the Schilke 57, although it's heavier. I use it with two of my euphs. (I own both a Euro and large shank version) Range on both ends is not an issue.

[bearphonium]

Another place to look: http://www.dwerden.com/forum/forumdispl ... outhpieces" target="_blank, although the advise that bloke gives is what I ended up with after considerable searching.