TromboneChat

As I begin to make my journey to college I am hoping to get a professional mouthpiece. I would take any recommendations for ones that help with endurance and/or help with reaching higher octaves, or that are just the best overall. I will also take recommendations on both shank sizes, as I have a small bore Olds Ambassador for marching and will have a large bore for concert and jazz.

Thanks!

There are no "student" or "professional" mouthpieces. There are smaller and larger mouthpieces which you select based on your playing needs.

What are you playing now? If you have an Olds 3 in your Ambassador, that is a good small mouthpiece. There are pro players using that size. If you are playing a Bach 6½ AL or Yamaha 48, that is a good general purpose size that can work with any of your choices. The reason to get a different mouthpiece is if there is something in the mouthpiece limiting your playing (which I doubt).

BGuttman wrote: ↑Mon May 12, 2025 8:59 am There are no "student" or "professional" mouthpieces. There are smaller and larger mouthpieces which you select based on your playing needs.

What are you playing now? If you have an Olds 3 in your Ambassador, that is a good small mouthpiece. There are pro players using that size. If you are playing a Bach 6½ AL or Yamaha 48, that is a good general purpose size that can work with any of your choices. The reason to get a different mouthpiece is if there is something in the mouthpiece limiting your playing (which I doubt).

Yeah, I have the Olds 3 with the Ambassador (which I haven't used in a while). I have been using a Blessing 61/2 with my Bach that I had sadly, just given back to my director today. . But I did get to keep the mouthpiece. honestly this past year, It has gotten better, but I once in a while suffer "embouchure dystonia", but it could just be the excessive playing during the school day without much of a break. Off-topic question, but do you recommend plastic mouthpieces? Specifically in marching band, I have seen that they are beneficial when the temperature plays a role.

Plastic can be a lifesaver when the temperature drops below freezing. Also the Kelly mouthpieces are well-made and are available in most common sizes. You can do the same thing at a higher cost with a Doug Elliott setup with the Lexan rim. I'd hate to use my Doug setup on the march, though. What a tragedy if it falls out of the horn and rolls away. When I bought my Holton Stratodyne (used) it came with a Giardinelli 5M mouthpiece with a plastic screw rim. They are available on the used market from time to time.

There are so many mouthpiece choices these days it will make your head spin. Coming from the Blessing and going into college a lower cost, middle of the road place to start would be a Bach 5G, Schilke 51, or just stick with the 6 1/2 size in the same makers for now. Certainly there are other options like Dennis Wick and plenty of boutique shops. Honestly, that’s probably not where you need to be spending your money and time right now.

Where I would encourage you to really focus is working with a private teacher. Reading that you’re already dealing with dystonia or other embouchure issues is concerning. Someone knowledgeable and experienced needs to be watching/listening to you; to evaluate your breathing/playing mechanics, guide, and then make appropriate mouthpiece recommendations. If you will be studying with someone at college, reach out to that individual. Doug Elliott (who is on this forum) is an excellent resource, especially for embouchure help. He’s available for lessons, can work with you on your embouchure problems, identify beneficial mouthpiece choices for you, etc. And even though he makes great mouthpieces he won’t try to sell you one of his. This is the “professional” side of things that might benefit you the most at this stage.

This may not be the answer you were looking for, but I do hope it helps. Have a good one.

J

You really should talk to someone like here at the Forum, like Doug Elliott or Dave 'wikitone' Wilktone.

Endurance and high/low notes will really benefit from having the correct size rim for your particular face.

My experience:
- played mouthpieces on my small bore horn that were 'considered regular size', 'considered to be what everyone uses on a small bore horn', 'recommended by...', 'endorsed by...', 'told to use this by...',

I 'made' high notes happen when they had too, but playing from high Bb upwards was always a 'physical battle'. Same with low notes. And on a long strenuous gig, the air and sound would start to 'back up' and my sound would suffer for sure.

Now... I play a rim that's suited for my face and makeup. It's much larger than any 'normal/recommended' small bore horn 'standard' mouthpieces that are usually advertised. It's now the same size as what I use on my large bore horn, which was always easier to play on in the first place!

And...now I have more high range than I ever dreamed possible, and much better facility and sound all over the horn. I don't even think about 'fatigue'. That doesn't even come to mind on any type of gig now.

Moral of story... talk to people that really know what they're talking about when it comes to mouthpieces. Any of the mouthpiece makers that really 'get into it', like Doug Elliott, Christian Griego, or teachers like Dave Wilktone.

Hah! Man, I wish I was your age again and knew what I know now about how a trombone actually works. It's a golden age for young brass players! You've got fantastic choices in horns and mouthpieces! No excuse not to have something that will work for you.

Just get hold of one of the people that can help guide you!