Although playing a musical instrument may sometimes appear to be very easy at first, learning to play any musical instrument is extremely difficult. Most musicians would probably tell you that having the right instrument with all the right pieces is a key factor in producing the perfect sound from the instrument. One of the most important pieces to any brass instrument is the mouthpiece. Trumpet mouthpieces are an important part of the sound produced by the individual playing the instrument.
The trumpet mouthpiece is the part of the instrument that comes in direct contact with the player’s lips. The role of the mouthpiece in playing the trumpet is vital. Trumpet mouthpieces serve as resonators for the instrument, passing the player’s vibrations from their lips and into the air column within the instrument. This allows for the creation of the standing wave pattern of vibration within the instrument which creates a trumpet’s sound. Given the importance of the trumpet mouthpiece, finding the right mouthpiece can mean the difference between producing great music and sounding like you are killing a cat.
Choosing the right trumpet mouthpiece will have a large impact on the tone produced; meaning different mouthpieces are required for different musical styles. Understanding the design of trumpet mouthpieces will help individuals choose between the mouthpieces available for use. Standard mouthpieces can be broken down into eight elements that include:
- Inner-rim diameter
- Rim width
- Rim contour
- Rim edge
- Cup
- Throat
- Backbone
- Shank
Brass mouthpieces, including trumpet mouthpieces, are constructed using five different materials. Each different material comes with different costs, properties, and features that also affect how the mouthpiece plays. The five materials used include:
- Gold Plating: Some players believe this material produces fuller, richer tones. Also used by those allergic to silver mouthpieces, and are also much more easily cleaned and maintained as gold doesn’t tarnish.
- Silver Plating: Silver is the standard plating on mouthpieces for brass instruments, mainly because it is the most cost effective. This plating is known to produce clearer, brighter sounds but does require more maintenance and care.
- Plastic: These are the most affordable and durable mouthpieces, and are a favorite for use outdoors. On the downside, they aren’t known to produce the same good tones as metal mouthpieces.
- Stainless Steel and Titanium: These types of mouthpieces are new to brass instruments and remain quite rare. They require less maintenance and produce a centered feel and sound, but are extremely expensive costing as much as $400 each.
Clearly there are several factors to take into consideration when choosing a trumpet mouthpiece. Among all the considerations, perhaps the most important to keep in mind are the shape of the cup, shape of the throat, and the inner-rim diameter. Trumpet mouthpieces are constructed with semi-spherical cups as opposed to horns, for instance, which have conical cups. The cup shape of trumpet mouthpieces provides brighter, more project tones. Players looking to hit higher tones should opt for smaller inner-rim diameters, while low range players will need larger rim diameters. Lastly, throat contours affect the tone of the trumpet. Sharp contours allow for a harsher, projected tone while rounded contours provide deeper, richer tones.
Diligence is critical when selecting a trumpet mouthpiece. While the musical genre a trumpeter desires to play can affect the type of trumpet mouthpiece they use, it is also important to try out several different mouthpieces to find the one that works best for each individual.