Wilktone wrote: ↑Wed Jan 15, 2025 10:02 am
I just wonder if you would have found similar success with the mouthpiece that didn't fit your embouchure as well. Would the same practice on the older mouthpiece have been effective or did the mouthpiece switch allow you to practice low range in a way that was more correct for your face?
Reinhardt type IIIAs ("very high placement" embouchure type players) often find mouthpieces with bigger rims allow them to play in the low register more securely without really loosing the upper register. When the low register technique becomes correct it can help play correctly in the upper register in many cases.
I have heard players with great upper registers but who don't sound so good in the lower register. Particularly with lead trumpet players (often related to the equipment they choose to play that helps their lead playing). When I first change around my embouchure my upper register was much better, but I lost my low register at first and had to learn how to play correctly in the low register.
Dave
I will personally attest to this!
During the Pandemic 'down-time' I went to Doug Elliott to get straightened around about mouthpieces...better late than never!
I'd tried every mouthpiece possible for my small bore horn, which is my main source of work all these years. Shoe boxes full of them. Get another mouthpiece....great for awhile....dissatisfaction sets in quickly.... high end backs up or loss of sound all over the horn....get another mouthpiece ..... rinse and repeat....
So, given my facial makeup Doug set me up with a large rim to suit me along with my homework and introduction to his Elliott/Reinhardt work. (Type IIIA)
High range? No problem now. Always there. High F is no big deal.
Low range? It's even more solid now and better than before (feels great again, back as when all I did was play my large bore horn through my university music studies)
Endurance? I feel stronger as a gig wears on.
So...just relating my experiences and seconding the idea that it really helps to have a mouthpiece that suits YOUR face, your horn, and what you play.
Then the high range can actually be something to be enjoyed...not feared!
There are 'many roads to Rome', and some brass players are born 'lucky' or are just able to make any piece of brass work for them.
But, for the majority of us, there are solutions. I suggest all young players find the real solutions now instead of waiting for years and spending thousands of dollars on various mouthpieces. You might make a change as your body and embouchure muscles develop and change, but at least you'll have some correct information as to how to make the proper mouthpiece choices.
See people like Doug Elliott, Dave Wilken, or Christian Griego at Griego and don't spend years in frustration.