Mouthpiece rules of thumb

[opus37]

Opinions of mouthpieces are very wide ranging and I know your mileage may very, but there are likely rules of thumb for selecting a mouthpiece based on the horns characteristics. I have been of the believe that a cone shaped mouthpiece was generally better for a piston tuba and a bowl shape was better for a rotary valved tuba. That has not proven true for me. A deep bowl sounds better (and is more manageable) on my Martin and Kanstul horn. I'm still trying to figure out what is best for my helicon. I recently discussed mouthpieces with a prominent professional and he is currently using a helberg on a rotary horn. So mouthpiece experts, what are the starting point rules of thumb?

[Mark]

1) In general, when a young tuba player is left to select his or her own mouthpiece they select a mouthpiece that is too large.

2) You should not need different mouthpieces to play high and low.

3) You might want different mouthpieces to change tone color.

4) Siver vs. gold vs. stainless steel vs. plastic might be more significant than lacquer vs. silver.

4a) Raw brass and nickel-plated mouthpieces are bad. (So are radioactive mouthpieces from the-place-that-shall-not-be-mentioned.)

5) If you have different mouthpieces for your bass and contrabass tubas (and you probably should), I beleive it is hepful if the rims are the same.

[Jay Bertolet]

My initial mouthpiece rules of thumb:

1) Funnel style mouthpieces (like the Helleberg) for horns that have a short leadpipe (note that it's not necessarily piston versus rotary).

2) Bowl shaped mouthpieces (like the Bach 18) for horns with longer leadpipes.

3) Choose rim size/shape for comfort.

4) Choose cup size/shape for sound.

5) Choose backbore size/shape for intonation.

There are other factors once the above rules have narrowed the choices but the above should take most folks pretty far into the selection process.

[ginnboonmiller]

Find something that works and stick with it. That's it. Corrolary -- don't listen to anyone else's advice as if they knew better than you, because we don't.

I had a lesson once with a guy that had theories about mouthpieces, and he tried to get me to try a couple things that he thought were undoubtedly better than mine. Every time I sounded better on what I brought to the lesson than what he suggested I try. He just sort of scratched his head and told me that I had clearly figured out what worked for me, and that was that.

[Heavy_Metal]

Many good principles here. From Jay:

"3) Choose rim size/shape for comfort.

4) Choose cup size/shape for sound.

5) Choose backbore size/shape for intonation."

From Mark:

5) If you have different mouthpieces for your bass and contrabass tubas (and you probably should), I beleive (sic) it is hepful (sic) if the rims are the same.

From ginnboonmiller:

"Find something that works and stick with it. That's it. Corrolary (sic)-- don't listen to anyone else's advice as if they knew better than you, because we don't."

I think most mouthpiece advice on this board is offered in the spirit of "this works for me, but your mileage may vary". Personally, I've found that the larger the rim, the better, up to a point. The larger rim puts more of the lip muscle in play, which spreads out the workload and helps endurance. It also keeps the lips further apart when playing, which allows better airflow.

I also find my attack and articulation is better on a Helleberg-type rim than a wider, rounder one. But again, that's just me.

Each player is different, and each horn is different. I would say don't listen to someone with an agenda, unless that agenda is to help you sound as good as you can, regardless of what mouthpiece you end up choosing.

[Mark]

#1. Remember to bring your mouthpiece.
#2. Do not forget rule #1.

#3 Mouthpieces don't bounce.

[Heavy_Metal]

#1. Remember to bring your mouthpiece.
#2. Do not forget rule #1.

#3 Mouthpieces don't bounce.

#4- Don't drop a heavy-walled mouthpiece on your toe!

[Donn]

#3 Mouthpieces don't bounce.

Brass mouthpieces don't bounce very well, anyway, but polycarbonate mouthpieces bounce a lot better.

Another take on the funnel vs. bowl thing that I read somewhere - funnel vs. bowl results vary according to Wilk/Elliott embouchure type. Which does sort of make sense, if you suppose that air stream directional focus varies accordingly, but that's just my elaboration on the proposition.

[imperialbari]

Mouthpieces don't bounce.

Check!