I agree that all the MPs are a compromise. I also agree that each horn seems to need a mouthpiece that matches the acoustics of the horn well. Usually, the manufacturer of the horn will ship the horn with a mouthpiece that works well with it. Having lots of different mouthpieces allowed me to explore the differences between them and how my playing interacts with the mouthpiece parameters (most importantly the rim size and rim shape). Playing on a MP with rounded bite has improved my tongueing (but not at first!) and made lip slirs easier. The weight of the mouthpiece really does stabilize the sound at higher sound levels and strengthens the low notes, in my opinion the heavy mouthpiece works well with small bore trombone.
I started using a 12c mouthpiece back in 6th grade when i got my first trombone and still use it during marching season with the same trombone (dont want the nice one to get busted up by getting hit with a colorguard flag) and I started using an XO 6 1/2 AL on the new trombone i got last year (w/ trigger) for concert season (sadly the two mothpieces aren't interchangeable) My band director says the 6 1/2 is more suited as a baritone mouthpiece but i kinda like it (even thought it has the drawback of decreased range)
The XO is a fine horn. I assume you have the large bore version as you can't fit the 12C into it. The 12C is too small for the larger horn and won't sound right or play in tune either. 12C is a more V or conical cup shaped mouth[piece (unlike an 11C which is more bowl shaped). The Bach 12C was THE mouthpiece that guys played during the Big Band era (1930's to 1946). it is considered too small for most applications today beyond a beginner status. I love the sound of a 12C and have used them a lot but I use a Bach 11C for most jazz or big band stuff. I hardly ever use my 12C anymore as the size is hard for me to fit into. I play a lot of bass trombone and I feel more comfortable on the slightly larger tenor piece. The 6.5AL is a great mouthpiece. It was the classical trombone mouthpiece of choice for a long, long time up until the early 1960's when players started going to larger equipment. The Bach 5G is the more common size for a large bore symphonic style of mouthpiece today. For marching around and enjoying a football game on Friday night with your school, the 12 is OK. I'd actually recommend that you get a small shank 6.5AL for marching band, too. It is about as big as you can go on a small bore tenor trombone but you can play louder and still have a focused sound on the football field or outside in the bleachers and you will have two very similar if not the same feeling mouthpieces. Is the 6.5AL a Euphonium mouthpiece? Sure, so is anything else that fits into a Euphonium. It was designed by Vincent Bach in New York City to be a symphony trombone mouthpiece for solo repertoire for the principal trombonist with the N.Y. Phill back in the good old days before WWII. It is a fine mouthpiece to use as you first large bore mouthpiece but if you continue into college as a more serious player, you will need to get a larger mouthpiece. Otherwise, keep playing and don't worry about what anyone has to say about your equipment. If you like it and it works for you in the moments you need it: use it. Cheers. BB
Bach 6 1/2 AL, my most hated mouthpiece, and to think my parents bought this for me in 1974 on my request for a birthday present while both were working hard for a living. Bach 12C, my favorite, but on large bore tenor try a Bach 3G. If you buy a new mouthpiece, get a one month return policy, it's metal, not like taking home a pair of shoes.
What's your thoughts on the CONN 3? I use it playing lead and second in swing bands and pit work on a King 2b plus, King 3B plus with trigger, Olds Ambassador, and Olds Standard. The video is great! THANK YOU!
I've played on Conn mouthpieces and liked them very much.. The Bass Trombone Mouthpieces were too small for me. I loved the tenor trombone mouthpiece that I used, I don't remember what size it was, but I do remember that I stopped using it because the sound was a little too vintage for me and I needed to have a more modern sound to blend with the Los Angeles trombone players that I was working with at the time.
What are your thoughts on the "12C" and "XO 6 1/2 AL" mouthpieces? In your opinion what would you personally suggest I do different if it were you? The 12c is what I use for marching season and I use the 6 1/2 AL for concert season. Im mostly lookin for feedback on the 6 1/2 AL [It's the mouthpiece that came with the instrument (a Jupiter XO model) so I'd like to get something that is more fitted to my needs] because I can't hit as high as I'd like to on the instrument.
what's the name of the mouthpiece at 11:20 ?? cool video :) I'm coming from orchestra with conn trombone with its standard U shaped mouthpiece, and looking for something thinner that would match (trombone, guitar, vocal, sax,...) composition. you know what i mean :D I've got trouble having clearer higher notes, or them being listenable too at all. I suspect the mouthpiece (and playing 4th/bass in orchestra mostly), but by the mouthpieces i got to test from others, this might interfere. So yeah, looking for something like the one in 11:20 alongside what's described above, thanks too anyone helping! ^^
JerryBond Try a shallower V style. the mouthpiece is a Doug Elliott and they are great. The gold piece is a Park. I like the Park better because it’s a one piece mouthpiece.
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Thank you so much for sharing your experience. It is a welcome change from the charts and graphs put out by manufacturers.
Looking good Bryant! It's been much too long since we've played together.
Always inspirational Dr. BYERS!
I agree that all the MPs are a compromise. I also agree that each horn seems to need a mouthpiece that matches the acoustics of the horn well. Usually, the manufacturer of the horn will ship the horn with a mouthpiece that works well with it. Having lots of different mouthpieces allowed me to explore the differences between them and how my playing interacts with the mouthpiece parameters (most importantly the rim size and rim shape). Playing on a MP with rounded bite has improved my tongueing (but not at first!) and made lip slirs easier. The weight of the mouthpiece really does stabilize the sound at higher sound levels and strengthens the low notes, in my opinion the heavy mouthpiece works well with small bore trombone.
Great information sir. Your voice is, well, I'll say you are the Garrison Keillor of trombonists :)
Really helpful! There's lots of specs and generalizations out there, but very little context from an actual user. Thanks so much!
That all made perfect sense and fits my experience. I can stop wasting time reading mouthpiece aficionado arguments now. Thanks!
Thank you. Instead of my endless pursuit of the perfect mouthpiece, I'll stay with my Giardinelli 6D.
Thank you very much, incredibly helpful!
Your voice is so soothing you could be the new Morgan Freeman. :D
Good job
I started using a 12c mouthpiece back in 6th grade when i got my first trombone and still use it during marching season with the same trombone (dont want the nice one to get busted up by getting hit with a colorguard flag) and I started using an XO 6 1/2 AL on the new trombone i got last year (w/ trigger) for concert season (sadly the two mothpieces aren't interchangeable)
My band director says the 6 1/2 is more suited as a baritone mouthpiece but i kinda like it (even thought it has the drawback of decreased range)
The XO is a fine horn. I assume you have the large bore version as you can't fit the 12C into it. The 12C is too small for the larger horn and won't sound right or play in tune either.
12C is a more V or conical cup shaped mouth[piece (unlike an 11C which is more bowl shaped). The Bach 12C was THE mouthpiece that guys played during the Big Band era (1930's to 1946). it is considered too small for most applications today beyond a beginner status. I love the sound of a 12C and have used them a lot but I use a Bach 11C for most jazz or big band stuff. I hardly ever use my 12C anymore as the size is hard for me to fit into. I play a lot of bass trombone and I feel more comfortable on the slightly larger tenor piece.
The 6.5AL is a great mouthpiece. It was the classical trombone mouthpiece of choice for a long, long time up until the early 1960's when players started going to larger equipment. The Bach 5G is the more common size for a large bore symphonic style of mouthpiece today.
For marching around and enjoying a football game on Friday night with your school, the 12 is OK. I'd actually recommend that you get a small shank 6.5AL for marching band, too. It is about as big as you can go on a small bore tenor trombone but you can play louder and still have a focused sound on the football field or outside in the bleachers and you will have two very similar if not the same feeling mouthpieces.
Is the 6.5AL a Euphonium mouthpiece? Sure, so is anything else that fits into a Euphonium. It was designed by Vincent Bach in New York City to be a symphony trombone mouthpiece for solo repertoire for the principal trombonist with the N.Y. Phill back in the good old days before WWII. It is a fine mouthpiece to use as you first large bore mouthpiece but if you continue into college as a more serious player, you will need to get a larger mouthpiece.
Otherwise, keep playing and don't worry about what anyone has to say about your equipment. If you like it and it works for you in the moments you need it: use it.
Cheers.
BB
great information
Thank you so much this helped me extremely
Bach 6 1/2 AL, my most hated mouthpiece, and to think my parents bought this for me in 1974 on my request for a birthday present while both were working hard for a living. Bach 12C, my favorite, but on large bore tenor try a Bach 3G. If you buy a new mouthpiece, get a one month return policy, it's metal, not like taking home a pair of shoes.
jeff Craven well dang I use that one. It came with my student trombone.
What's your thoughts on the CONN 3? I use it playing lead and second in swing bands and pit work on a King 2b plus, King 3B plus with trigger, Olds Ambassador, and Olds Standard. The video is great! THANK YOU!
I've played on Conn mouthpieces and liked them very much.. The Bass Trombone Mouthpieces were too small for me. I loved the tenor trombone mouthpiece that I used, I don't remember what size it was, but I do remember that I stopped using it because the sound was a little too vintage for me and I needed to have a more modern sound to blend with the Los Angeles trombone players that I was working with at the time.
What are your thoughts on the "12C" and "XO 6 1/2 AL" mouthpieces? In your opinion what would you personally suggest I do different if it were you? The 12c is what I use for marching season and I use the 6 1/2 AL for concert season. Im mostly lookin for feedback on the 6 1/2 AL [It's the mouthpiece that came with the instrument (a Jupiter XO model) so I'd like to get something that is more fitted to my needs] because I can't hit as high as I'd like to on the instrument.
what's the name of the mouthpiece at 11:20 ?? cool video :)
I'm coming from orchestra with conn trombone with its standard U shaped mouthpiece, and looking for something thinner that would match (trombone, guitar, vocal, sax,...) composition. you know what i mean :D
I've got trouble having clearer higher notes, or them being listenable too at all. I suspect the mouthpiece (and playing 4th/bass in orchestra mostly), but by the mouthpieces i got to test from others, this might interfere.
So yeah, looking for something like the one in 11:20 alongside what's described above, thanks too anyone helping! ^^
JerryBond Try a shallower V style. the mouthpiece is a Doug Elliott and they are great. The gold piece is a Park. I like the Park better because it’s a one piece mouthpiece.
Take home message: Buy 500 mouthpieces, keep them in a suitcase, and switch to another one after every two notes.