Which mouthpiece is approperiate for Euphonium?

[Bob Mosso]

What size mouthpiece is approperiate for getting a tone that is approperaite for the Euphonium? Not necessarily your favorite mouthpiece.

[Rick F]

This is hard to answer since most have different needs or desire of sound. I use a Doug Elliott which the chart says is about 4.5 for the rim. I like a dark sound... but not too dark.

[ThomasDodd]

you left out all of the above.

Like any mpc choice, it depends on the situation. Generally the larger sizes, but the smaller sizes have their place.

[LOTP]

What size shoe is best for a euphonium player? I play euphonium only occasionally but I seen to do quite well with an 11D. I have heard players use a 9B but the sound is a little thin.

[Bob Mosso]

I understand some people want different tone for different music styles. My question is more of what tone is characteristic of a euphonium and what size mouthpiece achieves that tone.

For example, I feel:
-a 12C will make a euph sound trombone-ish
-a 7C will sound like a Baritone

Does a 51D create a tone that is truely charactistic to the euph? It seems some feel bigger (thus darker) is better.

I presently use a 51D and depending on the results of the poll may try a larger mouthpiece.

[Ryan_Beucke]

Well for you, a 51D would probably produce a sound closer to a euphonium, given what you have said about a 12c and 7c. But it still is a matter of the player. I heard someone who had an incredible characteristic euphonium sound playing on a 12C mouthpiece. However, some people who play on one of those would sound too baritonish. It really depends on the mouthpiece relative to the player.

[jameseuph642]

I like the Wick SM series. Nice balance of tone (not to bright or to dark) and ease of playing.

[Bob Mosso]

I like the Wick SM series. Nice balance of tone (not to bright or to dark) and ease of playing.

James,

How does the SM3 compair to the 51D, size and tone?

Bob

[jameseuph642]

Schilke 51D: 25.55mm cup diameter with a deep bowl shaped cup
Wick SM3: 26.40mm cup diameter with a deep funnel shaped cup

On my 642 I like the SM3 better than the Schilke. The Schilke produces a "bass trombonish" sound, while my Wick produces a good characteristic euphonium sound that isn't too bright or too dark. I have also noticed that the Wick increased the response of my horn especially when playing soft. Even though the Wick is a larger mouthpiece than the Schilke, my endurance and level of comfort has increased. The Wick also made my horn feel more "open" or bigger. With my 321 I have found that the Schilke 51D works better than anything else I have tried. Mouthpiece are a very personal choice and it is best to play on has many as possible and find the one that works best for you. There is no miracle mouthpiece or one size fits all type that works for everyone. The Dennis Wick SM series or standard Trombone series, Schilke 51, 51D, 52, 52D, 52E2, Bach 5G, 4G, and Bowman BB-1 are all excellent mouthpieces to look into.

[Bob Mosso]

Thanks James.

Great details that apply to my situation. I'm using a Yamaha 51D on my old Beuscher right now, but I expect delivery of a new YEP321 in a week. The new 321 comes with a 48, it'll probably stay in its box. I was looking to buy something bigger, like the SM3, to see how I like it in comparison to the 51D. But, my choices are limited with the small shank, it's difficult to find the really big mouthpieces in the small shank.

Bob

[pg]

I was looking to buy something bigger, like the SM3, to see how I like it in comparison to the 51D. But, my choices are limited with the small shank, it's difficult to find the really big mouthpieces in the small shank.

You can get the SM4 for baritone (I think the SM3 is really too big for most mortal euph players) or the BB1 in a small shank. But I think you'll like the 51D on the 321. That's what I played when I had a 321 and it worked fine.

--paul;

[JTJ]

The poll is skewed either towards 5 or bigger than 4. I wonder if this represents American vs. British practice -- my sense is that the British brass banders go for a bigger, darker sound than American wind group players. Or does the poll reflect euph only players, who like smaller pieces, vs. tubists who double and want big pieces? Or some combination of all of the above.

Then there are anatomical considerations. I play euph only and use a bigger than 4 piece. I initially went to it because that size fit my face better than the smaller pieces, which were feeling constricting. It took several months of daily work before I felt like I was controlling the piece and about a year before I felt I had fully grown into it.

John

[Bob Mosso]

The Mega Tone is Bach's version of a heavy mouthpiece. Small shank is available in sizes from 11C to 4.