TromboneChat

Hi. I am looking for better, more mature mouthpieces. I currently play on a small shank Bach 6.5 al for jazz and classical, but I am thinking of making a change. Although the 6.5 al still gives me the bite for jazz, I am open to suggestions on getting a new one to improve my tone and overall sound. I play on a small bore King 2b in my top jazz band playing lead, and I would like to try to have a better quality tone. For classical, I play on a Bach Stradivarius small bore f attachment trombone. I feel like the small shank 6.5 al does not provide enough warmth, resonance, and it is hard to blend when it is louder and higher. I am first chair in my high school's wind ensemble and I want a small shank mouthpiece that can give a more orchestral tone for a high notes especially. Blending is a problem in classical, and I also need more warmth, which is hard to get with a small shank, but I would like suggestions for a small shank to compliment my king 2b in jazz for better quality sound and for a small shank to compliment my Bach stradivarius small bore f attachment in wind ensemble for a warmer, more open sound that blends better than my current Bach 6.5 al. All suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

How about a 1 1/2 G and a sledge hammer?

Lots of folks play the 6.5 mouthpiece for jazz and classical.  You need to learn to PLAY the 2B -- it requires less air and more finesse.  Every mouthpiece choice is some kind of compromise and the 6.5 AL is a great one to start from.

Now if you told me you were playing a bass trombone for classical and wanted that sound on the 2B I'd suggest you just forget about it.  You will never make a 2B sound like a bass trombone.  Thank heavens.

I found that the best thing unless your mouthpiece is REALLY getting in your way, is to practice a lot of long tones and lyrical etudes to work on your tone.  Or ask your teacher (don't have one?  tsk, tsk).  Maybe schedule a Skype lesson with Doug Elliott.  See if the 6.5 is really limiting you or you are trying to buy your way out of practicing boring exercises.

Its pretty standard for high schoolers to switch to a 5g size. For most it will open up and darken their sound.  But everyone is different especially on mouthpeices.

Quote from: Njz01 on Jun 08, 2017, 09:10PMFor classical, I play on a Bach Stradivarius small bore f attachment trombone.
I assume this is a 36B or 36BO, which is actually a medium bore (.525"). The 36B is very receptive to mouthpiece changes, in terms of color, range, genres of playing. So...

Quote from: Noahharry on Jun 08, 2017, 09:41PMIts pretty standard for high schoolers to switch to a 5g size. For most it will open up and darken their sound.  But everyone is different especially on mouthpeices.
Or, of a similar size, a Schilke 51. Both are readily available new and used. But keep in mind:

Quote from: BGuttman on Jun 08, 2017, 09:32PMLots of folks play the 6.5 mouthpiece for jazz and classical.  You need to learn to PLAY the 2B -- it requires less air and more finesse.  Every mouthpiece choice is some kind of compromise and the 6.5 AL is a great one to start from.
And especially important:

Quote from: BGuttman on Jun 08, 2017, 09:32PMI found that the best thing unless your mouthpiece is REALLY getting in your way, is to practice a lot of long tones and lyrical etudes to work on your tone.  Or ask your teacher (don't have one?  tsk, tsk).  Maybe schedule a Skype lesson with Doug Elliott.  See if the 6.5 is really limiting you or you are trying to buy your way out of practicing boring exercises.

Quote from: BGuttman on Jun 08, 2017, 09:32PMHow about a 1 1/2 G and a sledge hammer?

In my own mouthpieces, a good step up would be:
LT 101, C+, D3 for the 2B  (slightly larger rim size and a slightly shallower cup than a 6-1/2AL)
and
LT 101, G, G4 for the 36B  (approximate equivalent of a small shank 5G; a little larger and deeper than a 6-1/2AL)

Doug's mouthpieces are excellent - they are what I play on.  Another option would be Curry mouthpieces.  They have models that use the same rim with varying cup depths.

I recently submitted this to Monette for production, but I'm not sure it's available yet. It will produce the tone you desire. It's going to be called the 1XL.

What has your teacher suggested?

have a Skype lesson with Doug!

What has your teacher suggested?

have a Skype lesson with Doug!