Mouthpieces when Switching between Bass and Tenor

[Daburr]

I've used a custom modified Bach 1 1/4G for bass trombone work for many years. I also use the same when playing my euphonium. However, when playing tenor trombone, it just won't work, since it's so big and deep.

I use a Wick 6BS for tenor work, which I like a lot. However, switching between these two mouthpieces messes with my embouchure.

A while back I had a tech make a combination of the two- Bach rim with Wick cup. I thought this would be a nice solution- until I actually played with it. NOPE. Bad idea.

So are there any suggestions out there?

[harrisonreed]

Doug Elliott

[RustBeltBass]

Griego Artist, formerly Alessi models. Check out the "1" series.
This helped me a lot getting used to regular tenor playing after years of bass, only.

After a while you might switch to smaller equipment, but it is definitely a great start.

[muschem]

Doug Elliott

+1

I’ve gone down a lot of interesting paths, chasing the dragon. But, I keep coming back to Doug’s system. The designs are intuitive, flexible, and they just work. I use the small bass (SB) series for tenor and alto and the large bass (LB) series on bass. I had been playing a slightly smaller rim on my SB setups, but recently I’ve come around to the notion of one rim for everything.

Find a rim that fits your face and embouchure type, pair it with a cup that efficiently produces the sound you’re after, select a shank that fits the horn - and you’re done. Then don’t look back (this is the hard part for us tinkerers).

[marccromme]

However, switching between these two mouthpieces messes with my embouchure.

There seem to be two different solution.

As proposed, a custom mouthpiece system, where you kelp the rim size, and change cup, and backbore, essentially keep the feeling the same. Which might give more sweat in the high trombone and the low bass registers.

Or, accept that each instrument likes its own mouthpiece and rim size best, and practise the switch multiple times every day. With that approach you have to accept that the feeling on the lips is different, but the embouchure might match the I.strument better.

It seems a quite personal choice for doublers which route to choose.

For me, switching rim sizes and mouthpiece brands works best, but I do also play tenor and bass trombone and bass tuba.

YMMV

[hyperbolica]

I tried to use a single rim for tenor and bass, and it just didn't work. It might depend on your goals on either instrument, however. I started on a 1.25g size bass, and wound up on something between 2 and 1.5. I'm using a DE110J8 (or Curry 1.5D) on bass, and 104G8 is the biggezt tenor piece I use.

Also found that neither tenor nor bass was interchangeable with euph pieces. You might get away with it for a while, but for me it's all just too different and I developed chop/sound problems trying to force them into the same mouthpiece. I play a DE EUPH104 J9 or a DW SM3.

Short answer. = each type of instrument needs a different mouthpiece to get the best sound and response.

[MStarke]

In my experience this is very very individual.
As others stated, some prefer same rim with different cups and backbores, others prefer totally different mouthpieces.

I personally belong to the second group.
What could help is playing mouthpieces from the same maker as they often share similar rim profiles and general feels.

If you like your Bach on bass, the Denis Wick will certainly feel different due to the rim profile.

I also find that finding the right degree of "resistance" can be the most important difference between two mouthpieces.

[Schultz]

I spend most of my time jumping between middle bore tenor and bass trombone, with the occasional jump to large bore tenor, small bore and euphonium. I've been very comfortable using the Karl Hammond line of mouthpieces generally across the board. I just use a Perantucci for tuba, and a Thein for contra. Most of my work is playing musical productions and involves switching horns often in the space of a few seconds, and the feel and shape of the Hammonds has been working well for me for the last 10-15 years.

Middle bore: 11ML
Large bore: 10ML
Bass: Custom 21BLL
Small bore: Alto orchestral

[Daburr]

If you like your Bach on bass, the Denis Wick will certainly feel different due to the rim profile.

Would you or anyone know what Bach tenor mouthpiece would be comparable to the Wick 6BS?

[Daburr]

But, I keep coming back to Doug’s system. The designs are intuitive, flexible, and they just work.

Thanks for your thoughts- I am looking into his mouthpiece system, however, I may just go with using the different ones as suggested in other comments.

[BGuttman]

If you like your Bach on bass, the Denis Wick will certainly feel different due to the rim profile.

Would you or anyone know what Bach tenor mouthpiece would be comparable to the Wick 6BS?

A 6½ AL or a 6¾ C. Note that the 6¾ C is not available in large shank.

[WGWTR180]

But, I keep coming back to Doug’s system. The designs are intuitive, flexible, and they just work.

Thanks for your thoughts- I am looking into his mouthpiece system, however, I may just go with using the different ones as suggested in other comments.

Please know that whatever method you choose it takes a lot of practice on each piece to make each one sound professional. Good luck.