Can the different characteristics of a mouthpiece help in playing a "heavy" new instrument?

[Fausto]

hi, 2 years ago I bought a bass that was heavy and hard to play, I was considering changing it but being in the medium economical range I couldn't find one that I liked as much as mine so I decided to keep it, now I use the mouthpiece supplied, a clone of the Bach 1/1.4 which seems fine to me, I would also have a D.Yeo available, however I wonder; Is it possible that a different shape of the mouthpiece (more or less deep throat, size of the hole or edge, etc.) could help to play this instrument? or in any case make it easier in general.
thanks for your attention
Fausto from Italy

[Doug Elliott]

It's impossible to guess without some trial and error.
There's the question about what's easier for you in general - larger or smaller diameters, deeper or shallower cups. And separately is the question of what the horn needs. What's "hard" about the way it plays? And is that just hard for you, or is it a general characteristic that anyone would agree? Have you had anyone else play it?
Is it the Weril you're talking about? You won't find many people who have experience on that. Have you played other basses? Other mouthpieces?

[Fausto]

good morning Doug Elliot and thank you for your kind interest

I would say a larger cup fits me better, D. Yeo, but maybe it's a bit much since I also like playing in the high register, I couldn't say for the other characteristics.

yes, it's the weril.

there is no real difficulty, other than having enough breath available.

I had 2 professionals try it and they both agreed that it needs to be played quite a bit to get it to vibrate well and for this reason I was wondering if in general one mouthpiece is more recommended or more useful than another. However, considering that it is also a subjective choice.

I've tried other basses, Eastman, ZO, Bach budget line etc. all lighter and easier to play.
By feel I would have to focus on instruments worth at least $4-5000 to find something equally interesting, compared to the 1000 of the weril, quite a leap!

I only tried the 2 mouthpieces mentioned

Thank you

[Doug Elliott]

In my mouthpieces I might suggest LB series, 113 rim, K cup, K8 shank. Maybe J cup, J8 shank.

About the same rim.as the Yeo, but a shallower cup and much easier to play. The J is shallower than the K.

[Fausto]

good morning and thank you
it could be interesting but I would like to understand where it takes me and how to do it if not ... playing it?

I saw the features on the site, not if the costs-benefits can match

also now trying the Yeo again I find a small improvement, something slight but perceptible

[BGuttman]

Doug's mouthpieces are really good, if somewhat expensive. I use them myself. If cost is a problem, you may have to make do with what you have.

If the only problem now with the Yeo is upper register, I'd recommend some rangebuilding exercises. If you have a copy of the Remington "Warmup" Exercises, it's No. 8, Security in the Upper Register.

Getting used to a larger mouthpiece means adjusting your embouchure to match it. Even a Doug Elliott mouthpiece would require some adjustment, although Doug can dial it in to make that a little easier. Having a Skype lesson with Doug watching you play can be a great way to have him focus you on what changes need to be made.

[RustBeltBass]

In my humble opinion, if it is a Weril, it is best to start over with a better horn. Every single instrument of that brand I have ever encountered was terrible. Even some chinese companies might produce a better result.

[blast]

In my humble opinion, if it is a Weril, it is best to start over with a better horn. Every single instrument of that brand I have ever encountered was terrible. Even some chinese companies might produce a better result.

THIS.

[Fausto]

Thanks for the kind replies
yes, I should find another instrument but among those seen and tried none convinced me like the weril, I probably found the right horn

I would say that it is never an economic problem, for these amounts, if there are advantages.

A skipe connection with Mr. Doug Elliot could be interesting, I would be very pleased, but I have a language handicap, I would need to find someone who can support me in this sense

Thank you

[Doug Elliott]

If you can write the way you're writing, there's no barrier. I have given lots of lessons to people who don't speak English. And sorry but I never learned any other languages enough to be useful.

[Fausto]

I remembered that my nephew can help me if he wants. I'll know in a few days as soon as I see it.

actually I use the simultaneous translator, I realize that it's not exactly what I want to say but it can be understood

[Fausto]

Good morning
Mr. Doug Elliot, my nephew has given me availability for the skipe connection in one of the next days, I just have to wait for my brother-in-law to return the rotor of the 2nd trigger to me, he has to make me a new improved one, then as soon as the new one is ready I have to finish it by hand so to match the holes perfectly, etc

I'm surrounded by family member who have all the skills I need!!

thank you

[Fausto]

good afternoon
for now with the help of a family member we have created a valve, better I would say, for attack in G, now it is a little better. he has dedicated a lot of time between drawing, turning, milling etc., the ideal would be to also do the one in F but at the moment there is no time. I will post a photo as soon as I understand how to do it. soon Mr. Doug Elliot I will organize with my nephew for the mentioned skype connection, first I would like to do a minimum of training since I have not played any instrument anymore. thank you. regards

[Fausto]

good afternoon
for now with the help of a family member we have created a valve, better I would say, for attack in G, now it is a little better. he has dedicated a lot of time between drawing, turning, milling etc., the ideal would be to also do the one in F but at the moment there is no time. I will post a photo as soon as I understand how to do it. soon Mr. Doug Elliot I will organize with my nephew for the mentioned skype connection, first I would like to do a minimum of training since I have not played any instrument anymore. thank you. regards

[Fausto]

good morning, Mr. Doug Elliot would next Sunday be okay for the connection? approximately at 10 in the morning your time. if I have the nephew present fine otherwise I will try to manage.

In the meantime to have more clarifications in my head I tried another tb from a company in the area, an instrument assembled by them with the various individual pieces and I must say that of all those tried it is the one I liked the most and I could evaluate it, however I see that with the modification made and with the use of a Yeo things have improved a lot. they also had a Bach 50 for sale ... with thayer valves that I tried but with the 2nd or 5th there was no way to produce a sound, only blowing, no vibration, an instrument, for me, very difficult. Could it be defective? And I wonder where the boundary is in terms of evaluation between a famous instrument that does not work compared to another less known but that plays, even with adjustments as often happens.
Thank you
Fausto from Italy

[Fausto]

good morning

# Doug Elliot I confirm availability for the skype connection for next Sunday, I'll contact you privately for this.

# Absent-mindedly I see that I haven't replied to B. Guttman for having indicated the Warm Up Remington, I don't have a copy, I have other methods that could help me and if they aren't enough I'll buy it
thanks again

# blast;
what did you mean by "THIS"? Maybe you wanted to attach a link or image for some reason?
Thanks

[blast]

I meant that I totally agree with RustBeltBass. You won't find a mouthpiece that fixes a bad trombone.

[Fausto]

certainly, but we know that somehow they help

the "adjustment" and improvement in my case, as mentioned was in the replacement of the rotor

thanks