Are there any grade 8 trumpeters out there.....

Have been given some money to buy two new mouthpieces... would like to buy one that will enhance my son's top notes D-G.

Can anyone recommend anything.... will be going to Phil Parkers

Cheers

Is this a special present or something? If not then the best thing to do is to actually let him try out some and choose it himself! Something that helps one person doesn't necessarily help another because so much depends on teeth shape / lip thickness / even the trumpet itself etc. Mouthpieces are even more like shoes in this respect, and really have to fit individually.

Otherwise, Bach large number, Denis Wick large number and Schlike small number models are pretty good for high notes because they have a smaller diameter. However this brightens the tone immensely which is generally regarded as a bad thing because it is very piercing (my neighbours back then certainly didn't like it).

Nope not a present.... just thought I would ask! I just needed a starting point so that we're not standing in the shop with every mouthpiece out

There's certainly no harm in going to Phil Parker's and trying out some mouthpieces, but be advised that there's no magic mouthpiece out there. Generally the smaller the mouthpiece, the easier the higher notes get, but the trade-off is that you lose the richness of tone and flexibility that a larger mouthpiece gives. And the 'larger/smaller' thing is complicated, because there are so many variables such as cup depth, cup width, back bore, etc.

For most people when they're in the earlier stages of learning, a Bach 7C (or equivalent) will do a perfectly adequate job - though sometimes something with a slightly wider rim (like a Schilke rim no.4) will be more comfortable.

So do go and try - and ask for advice from Parker's - but the greatest improvement in range will come only from a regular good embouchure development routine, I'm afraid. There are thousands of mouthpiece configurations out there (see www.trumpetherald.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=8 to get an idea of the vastness of the range of options!) - but most people just need an average, comfortable mouthpiece, and should avoid any extremes of size or shape. It's really only at the most advanced levels of playing that fancy mouthpieces start to become more necessary.

Just out of interest, Briantrumpet, but in your profile pic you appear to be playing a trumpet with a funnel shaped mouthpiece (possibly narrow rim too?), and was wondering where you get mouthpieces like that for the trumpet?

That's an old Olds 3 mouthpiece bought from ebay (America) for about £10. Actually, it's a conventional mouthpiece on the inside, but has that distinctive shape because it's made like the 'heavytop' mouthpieces that you can get from Bach etc. Olds were making this type of mouthpiece back in the 30s, which is when my trumpet was made. I use this mouthpiece for lead trumpet or show work, because it's got a slightly smaller cup which cuts through the texture a bit more, and is easier in the extreme high register (up to G on the 4th leger line or so). Otherwise I use a Schilke 174D for symphonic & solo stuff.

Brian

My son (12) was playing on a 7C Bach but since acquiring a xeno trumpet, he's started to use the xeno mouthpiece. He got gr7 last year with distinctionn and is now preparing for gr8 so I would say he is starting the advance stages. He plays in orchestras, concert bands and big bands and has been advised to look at getting two new mouthpiece for improving his high notes. He can hit D but would like to get higher and be able to sustain the sound for longer.

Actually, the Yamaha mouthpiece supplied with the Xeno is reasonably large (I think the number of it is 16C4) so will not help the high notes, although this would be OK for an experienced player with a well developed embouchure - but at age 12, this is a big mouthpiece. There's not much wrong with a Bach 7C, though the rim can feel a bit sharp to some people (me included) - I prefer a Schilke 4 rim. With my Schilke 17D4 (this is slightly bigger and deeper than your son's Yamaha) I do classical work up to concert E (written F#), but then I've had 30+ more years to develop my range!

So yes, a smaller mouthpiece might help - I use a smaller one for lead trumpet in big band, which often sails up to written G on the 4th leger line; my Schilke doesn't work in this context, as it is both too hard work, and doesn't cut through a band. John Miller's advice (apparently) is that one should use the smallest mouthpiece with which one can produce the desired sound - why waste extra energy playing on a big mouthpiece?!

If you want a chart comparing the size of mouthpieces, try this:
http://www.militarymusician.com/xcart/pages.php?pageid=1

But, as I said, don't expect to find the 'miracle mouthpiece' - it doesn't exist. They are all trade-offs - usually what you gain in range, you lose in tone and flexibility.

hi there, I used a 2 1/2 C VB mouthpiece but have recently swapped to a DW 1.5C
Both are pretty good i prefer ones with wide rims .

Just go to a shop and play ones and see how you get on.

You should also try a Kelly mouthpiece, they have a wonderful tonal quality and come in all sorts of bizzare and wonderful colours. Made from Lexan, various sizes available for trumpet.

See

http://www.kellymouthpieces.com/

The principal trumpeter in my band plays on one of them. Are they actually any good? I know from an acoustic point of view it doesn't matter so much what mouthpieces are made from, but plastic was always slightly dubious in my opinion...

Saxophonists having been using mouthpieces made out of all sorts of material for years, i think we brass players have a bit of catching up to do in this regard. I like how the Kelly Mouthpiece makes my instrument sound, i also enjoy the fact that the mouthpiece is also very light, it feels as if it makes my horn more resonant. They are of course ideal for outdoor events, such as band stands. They are very cheap so why not buy one and see what you personally think. I like mine.

P.S

joolsters just checked your profile, i used to play in the Durham Uni Orchestra actually no i meant the Endeavour Orchestra based at Durham Uni on the Stockton campus, is it still going well? Loved the concerts we did at Durham Cathedral. I presumme the professor is still conducting?

I don't play in the uni ones anymore because I am playing for the external community ones now. I don't know about the Stockton one but the all the music societies now seem to be conducted by students (I was one of them for two years), and even Durham University Orchestral Society are conducted by students. Works in a way, especially this year when the conductor is actually really quite good.

I know what you mean about having warm lips when busking outside at Christmas, mmm...warm lips...

P.S. I am based at Durham city so I don't actually know.