What is the difference between trombone mouthpieces

View all Denis Wick Ambassadors. As a professional trombone and euphonium performer and college educator, I am asked about mouthpieces all of the time. A euphonium mouthpiece is different in many ways than a trombone mouthpiece, and here are the three most common:. It is sometimes easy for young euphonium players to use a standard trombone mouthpiece for a few reasons:.

Unfortunately many students and teachers do not know that euphonium and trombone mouthpieces are different. Euphonium mouthpiece dimensions allow for an easier time producing a full, resonant, and beautifully rich sound.

Control of the essential euphonium skill of vibrato is made easier with the design of the euphonium mouthpiece, as is pitch centering throughout all partials.

Range comfort is also a plus and notes speak easier with clearer articulations. In short, a proper euphonium mouthpiece makes performing on the instrument easier and more fulfilling. When doubling, make sure you look for a rim that provides a similar feel and comfort level, so that your switch is easier. I find the switch is easier, especially in terms of rim comfort.

Of course the cup size is different, but at least one constant stays in place that makes the switch easier. The earlier you can start young euphoniumists on a proper mouthpiece, the sooner you will see upper level advancements in their performance abilities. Of course these mouthpieces provide all of the previously mentioned benefits including a rich and resonant sound, clear control of vibrato and pitch, and comfort throughout the entire range. Large throat is recommended for more advanced players.

If you are in the beginner-intermediate range, and you think the throat of a new mouthpiece is slightly too large, then you should stick with it. Back bore is more complicated, because it consists of both size and shape. This is usually made to balance the other aspects of the mouthpiece, and should not really be a major consideration, except in one circumstance:. I once got a mouthpiece that fit the instrument and felt comfortable, but it totally messed up the intonation in two of my partials.

It made no sense to me how a mouthpiece could do this. I later found out that the cheaply made back bore was the problem. The shape and taper can greatly affect pitch, so be warned.

For my euphonium, I play on a Schilke 51C. I used to wonder if those numbers and letters were important to the mouthpiece size. Even the exact same letters and numbers can have tiny variations within the same brand.

Your best bet is to look up charts published by the companies themselves for numbers and to try them out. The general rule is that the number refers to the rim and the letter refers to the cup depth. Unfortunately, the numbers go in reverse, so the bigger the number, the smaller the rim size, which can be confusing.

The lettering is a bit stranger. Other than that, everyone does their own thing. The shank size matters. This determines if the mouthpiece will even fit in the leadpipe of your instrument. Before you can even think about numbers and sizes of mouthpieces, you have to know what type of instrument you have. If you have a standard tenor trombone, baritone, or student-intermediate euphonium, you probably have a small shank. If you have a professional tenor trombone or euphonium, you probably have a large shank.

But things get weirder. Why do we visit a bedding store to purchase a new mattress? The number one answer to this question is comfort. It is just not comfortable! The same can be said about your trombone mouthpiece. Maybe you are unhappy with your tone quality. It could be your high range that is restricted.

Another aspect of your playing could be difficulty with articulation. Here comes another analogy! As we get older our shoes get too tight and have to be replaced to a larger size. The mouthpiece that came with the horn may be too small and you need a larger one. Through the years of teaching, I found it very important to teach my students about the types of trombones.

When we are playing a tenor trombone there are two types — small bore and large bore. A small-bore trombone takes a small shank mouthpiece. A few of the popular small bore trombones are listed below. A large-bore trombone requires a large shank mouthpiece. Most of the large bore trombones have extra tubing called an F attachment. A few of these trombones are listed below.

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There are several brand names of trombone mouthpieces. In fact, every manufacturer that produces a musical instrument will also produce a mouthpiece. Remember one important fact. Get the best mouthpiece you can for the money. We are not talking about hundreds of dollars. The main focus is matching the specifications to what will work well for you. Below is a chart of the best and highly recommended trombone mouthpieces for the purpose of quality and results. The chart outlines the more important specifications important when selecting a new mouthpiece.

These brands are known for their design and quality craftsmanship. Another consideration when choosing a new mouthpiece will be the type of trombone you are playing. Maybe you just bought a Conn 88 or a Bach 42, or a King 3B. Study the chart and included are examples of what mouthpieces match up with certain trombone brands. Medium-wide Semi-flat A century has passed since Vincent Bach started designing brass mouthpieces.

If you ask a brass player today to name a good mouthpiece the Bach name most always comes up first. This company is the leader in the world of brass mouthpieces. For the trombone, I recommend two mouthpieces below.

The reputation of the Yamaha Musical Instrument Company is well known for producing top-quality products. This includes mouthpieces for brass instruments. Their attention to detail is unsurpassed! Top brass players worldwide rely on Yamaha to make specific custom-made mouthpieces for their particular instrument and embouchure.

Another top name in the specialization of brass mouthpieces is Schilke. They are known for their great designs. The two models below are excellent. The first is designed with a large shank for the larger bore trombonist in mind.