Canadian Brass - FEATURE STORY

Mouthpiece Essentials

Information and pictures from Yamaha catalog.
Do not copy.

Every player needs to find the size and style of mouthpiece which best suits both his or her physical and musical requirements. Since different mouthpieces can emphasize different embouchure muscles, it is difficult to pinpoint the ideal mouthpiece at a single testing. A little knowledge can, however, provide a valuable foundation for making the right choice.

The dimensions and shape of a mouthpiece have a direct effect on its feel, playability, and sound. Use the parameters described below as a general guide when shopping around.

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Rim Diameter (Internal)

In general, a small rim diameter makes it easier to play high notes and can increase endurance, but volume is limited. A larger rim diameter, on the other hand, provides plenty of volume and easy low tones but endurance may be sacrificed. The ideal rim diameter will depend on each player's physical traits, playing style, and musical requirements. The factors involved are very individual ... some players spend years searching for the perfect rim.

Rim Contour

Since this is the part of the mouthpiece that comes into direct contact with the player's lips, it is a critical parameter for playing comÐfort. Rim contour also has a large effect on attack clarity. A majority of players prefer a relatively flat contour with the peak closer to the inner edge. This type of contour is generally considered to be the most stable, providing optimum contact with the rim bite (described below). Avoid mouthpieces with scratched or pitted contours.

Rim Thickness

Although a thick rim provides greater lip contact area for easy high notes and extended endurance, lip movement is limited so you lose tonal flexibility. A rim that is too thin offers plenty of control over a wide range, but can quickly cause fatigue. Beginning players are probably better off choosing a rim of medium thickness, but the best approach is to play a variety of types and choose the one that feels the most natural and plays the easiest.

Rim Bite

The bite of the rim has a large influence on attack clarity and pitch control. Mouthpieces with a sharp bite generally make it easier to produce accurate, stable pitch and a rich tone. If the bite is too sharp, however, lip control is limited and it becomes difficult to make smooth note-to-note transitions. A sharp bite can also be painful on the lips and reduce endurance. At the other extreme a round, very soft bite may be comfortable to play, but will produce a blurred attack and poorlydefined pitch.

Cup Silhouette

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shallow cup

deep cup

Cup silhouette encompasses both cup depth and shape. Shallow cups produce a brighter tone and are more controllable in the higher register ... at the expense of volume.

Deep cups offer a dark tone, easy low notes, and plenty of power. Cup shapes range from "U" shapes to "V" shapes.

The more "U" shaped a cup is, the brighter the sound and the easier it is to play in the high register. As a cup approaches the "V" shape the sound becomes darker and the lower register becomes easier to play.

Some French horn mouthpieces employ a "double cup" design — essentially a combination of the "U" and "V" shapes — to facilitate playing throughout the instrument's range.

Shoulder

Most "U" shape cups have a fairly sharp shoulder which results in easy-to-play resistance and a well-defined, bright sound. "V" shape cups have a smoother, rounder shoulder which produces low resistance and a soft, dark tone.

Throat Diameter

The throat is the narrowest portion of the mouthpiece bore, and therefore the point of highest sound pressure. The diameter and length of this part of the mouthpiece have a major influence on playing resistance. A narrow, long throat produces high resistance which contributes to fast response, brilliant tone, and enhanced playability in the high register. A wide, short throat is more playable in the low register and is capable of producing greater volume — but requires lots of air from the player and can lead to fatigue.

Backbore

The "backbore" is the inner section of the mouthpiece bore which follows the throat. The backbore has a complex flare which can significantly affect high-register pitch. The diameter of the backbore also influences timbre and resistance. Like most other diameter-related parameters, a narrow backbore results in increased resistance, brighter tone, and easier playing in the high register. A larger backbore decreases resistance for darker tone and easier playing in the lower range.

Shank

This parameter is of prime importance in determining how well a mouthpiece matches your instrument. The taper of the mouthpiece shank must perfectly match the instrument's receiver — there should be absolutely no "play". The outer diameter of the shank determines how deeply the mouthpiece seats in the receiver, thus affecting overall pitch, the accuracy of individual notes, and even playing feel.

Yamaha Model Number System

	Cup diameter	= 5-68 (narrow - broad)
	Cup volume & shape	= A-E (shallow - deep) C=standard
	Rim contour	= 1-5 (flat-round) 3=standard
	Backbore	= a-e (narrow - broad) c=standard