Anyone tried these wooden cup "nu mouthpieces"?

[arpthark]

On etsy:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/398689241/ ... mouthpiece" target="_blank

They look nice. Remind me of the one(s?) Michael Bush posted on here a few years back. I don't think I could ever get used to wood on my chops though.

[fenne1ca]

I backed their Kickstarter, but the first batch hasn't shipped yet. The project was funded a month or two ago, but the production process takes a bit - lots of time for wood treatments to cure, as I understand.

[WitchyPsycho2]

Havent tried these before. My only experience with wood has left a wood taste in my mouth for hours... It was not the most pleasant. Depending on price I might give it a shot.

[ECUorchbound]

Tried these at ITEC this past summer. It's a very comfortable mouthpiece that responds very well. Allows for some neat effects and sounds to be made on the horn, but I don't see it being used in a consistent/classical playing situation. Neat stuff though! Would probably get one for the hell of it and to support the endeavor.

[imperialbari]

...... but I don't see it being used in a consistent/classical playing situation....

Is that because the instrument gets more out of tune with itself?

And/or because the general pitch is lowered, so that the tuba will not match other instruments tuned to A=440Hz?

Klaus

[Walter Webb]

They are designed for digeridoo style playing, with a really loose embochure and to facilitate circular breathing. I'd like to hear from a digeri player who tried it... the videos sound very good.

[jbaylies]

Hi, John here, vice president of nu Mouthpieces. Glad to see this discussion happening.

I don't think I could ever get used to wood on my chops

The woods we use are infused with Tung Oil, which feels much smoother than plain wood. You may find it easier to get used to than you think.

My only experience with wood has left a wood taste in my mouth for hours... It was not the most pleasant

I've been testing prototypes for months and can guarantee that the woods we chose have no taste whatsoever. We actually ditched Verawood because we were afraid that people would be put off by its pungent aroma, but even it didn't leave a taste.

...... but I don't see it being used in a consistent/classical playing situation....

Is that because the instrument gets more out of tune with itself? And/or because the general pitch is lowered, so that the tuba will not match other instruments tuned to A=440Hz?

It's because nu mouthpieces are intended to allow musicians to bridge the gap between low brass and didgeridoo techniques. The general pitch is not affected, but playing in the high register is quite difficult since nu mouthpieces feature the widest possible bore.

Are these things one size fits all?

nu mouthpieces have the standard American shank size. If you would like a custom shank size feel free to PM me.

[imperialbari]

Thanks for the replies!

As I get it, the nu mouthpieces are much wider than high.

How long is the horizontal (widest) inner diameter?

How long is the vertical (shortest) inner diameter?

Klaus

[jbaylies]

Thanks for the replies! As I get it, the nu mouthpieces are much wider than high. How long is the horizontal (widest) inner diameter? How long is the vertical (shortest) inner diameter?

You're welcome!

nu mouthpieces are actually just as wide as they are high. The rim is contoured to facilitate circular breathing, which is why it may look oval, but if you look straight down the bore, it is actually circular. The tuba mouthpieces have a 32.5mm inner-rim diameter.

[Donn]

Thanks for joining us here. Looked at a video, and ... I'm not sure where to start!
nu tuba mouthpiece groove 2

I have a hunch that to play like that, it would not be quite enough to just have the mouthpiece. While it's somewhat outside the ordinary ambitions of tuba players, it might worth a page or two on your site, outlining the techniques for people who have no didgeridoo background. I guess my selected question is, on this recording, what's the volume level - how loud are you? About in the range of an acoustic guitar? trombones and saxophones? way loud?

[jbaylies]

Thanks for joining us here. Looked at a video, and ... I'm not sure where to start!
nu tuba mouthpiece groove 2 I have a hunch that to play like that, it would not be quite enough to just have the mouthpiece. While it's somewhat outside the ordinary ambitions of tuba players, it might worth a page or two on your site, outlining the techniques for people who have no didgeridoo background. I guess my selected question is, on this recording, what's the volume level - how loud are you? About in the range of an acoustic guitar? trombones and saxophones? way loud?

Your hunch is correct. The didgeridoo embouchure is much more relaxed, yet just as refined, as any low brass embouchure. Erik Nugent (president of nu Mouthpieces) is going to upload a video of the four pillars of didgeridoo technique within the next few weeks. In the meantime, here's a quick video of his didge embouchure on a visualizer, and here's a playlist of some of the best didgeridoo tutorials on YouTube. The volume level on that recording is about the same as if you played a Bordogni etude at mezzo forte.