Euphonium Mouthpieces —A Teacher's Guide David R. Werden

t is generally accepted that the mouthpiece is[most important piece of equipment a brass^er owns, yet most teachers invest very little: helping the student select this relatively inex-isive item. Choosing a proper mouthpiecen't have to be a burden. However, it is

essary to have good comparative specificationswell as an understanding of mouthpiece char-leristics. This article is designed to help theher guide the student toward selecting a prop-

nouthpiece.ertain variations in a mouthpiece's design will

predictable relative effects for any player,start by looking at some of these general

dencies.

rim

) Diameterhe student should use the widest diameter he

i manage; it permits more of the lip to vibrate,ducing a larger sound, A wide cup needn't limit

Hurance. It will discourage the player from us-j excessive pressure for high register playing,ereby encouraging proper use of the lipUscles.There is no need to select a very small cup fors beginning player. It will only lead him into bad

|bits. Consider 24.5-26 millimeters as a goodnge for the young student. Most advanced

Bayers wil l use diameters of 25.4-26.4lillimeters.

• DepthCup depth is critical and may have a greater im-ct on a mouthpiece's characteristics than cupameter. A deeper cup will give a darker tone andill improve low register response. However, itay flatten the high register and could lower theerall pitch of the instrument. It may alsossen endurance. A shallower cup will have the

asite effects. A cup with a more V-shaped bot-i will produce the same results as a deeper cup.

|The beginner will probably be most comfortablenth a medium or medium-shallow cup. The moreilvanced player will want to select the deepest

cup appropriate for his needs. The shallower cupswould only be chosen for players needing abrilliant high register.

Throat DiameterThe throat is the narrowest part of the mouth-

piece's interior, and may be specified in milli-meters, inches, or drill bit sizes (the letter designa-tion of the bit which fits most snugly through thethroat). A large throat offers the player a biggersound and makes the low range play easier; it mayalso make the extreme high register easier to at-tain. However, it could diminish endurance andmake the high range too sharp. A small throatcould restrict the high range and make it flat, aswell as make the low register difficult to play.

For the beginner select a medium throat(6.5-7mm). Encourage the more advanced studentto try a larger throat (7-7.5mm).

BackboreThe backbore lies between the throat and the

end of the shank. It is difficult to describenumerically, as design variations occur only in itsshape. A tight or closed backbore is one inwhich the inner walls of the shank are more con-vex; an open backbore is one in which the innerwalls are more concave. To think of it anotherway, an open backbore is one which increases insize rapidly beyond the throat. A tight backboreincreases in size very little beyond the throat untilabout halfway down the shank where it opensmore rapidly to meet the end of the mouthpiece.

An open backbore offers a darker sound andgreater volume potential, but lessens enduranceand ease of response. A tight backbore may flattenthe high register and make the low register stuffy.It will also brighten the sound.

With the major mouthpiece brands, you can pro-bably ignore the backbore in your process of selec-tion. A mouthpiece chosen carefully for its othercharacteristics will generally have an appropriatebackbore.Rim Width and Shape

Rim width and shape can affect endurance, flex-ibility, and sharpness of attacks. Most playersshould use a medium-wide rim, which will allowoptimum comfort and endurance by distributingmouthpiece pressure over a larger area. A widerim (known as a cushion rim) might be necessaryfor players with very thick lips if they find the

David R. Werden is principal and solo eupho-niumist with the U.S. Coast Guard Band and wasnamed 1980 "Euphonium Player of the Year" bySounding Brass magazine. He is a clinician forBoosey and Hawkes, and euphoniumist with theAtlantic Tuba Quartet and the U.S. Coast GuardTuba Quartet.

MAY IW1/1HI INS1KUMENIALISI 23

medium-wide rim uncomfortable. However, formost players the wide rim will limit flexibility andmay encourage the use of too much mouthpiecepressure. A narrow rim increases flexibility, butits tendency to cut off the circulation of blood inthe lips will decrease endurance.

The rim should be relatively flat for goodpressure distribution. One that is too rounded willoffer more flexibility at the expense of endurance,and will make the mouthpiece feel as though it hasa larger cup.

The rim should have a relatively sharp inneredge to promote cleaner attacks. There should bejust enough curvature of the rim to keep the inneredge from digging into the lips.

PlatingMouthpieces are made of brass and plated with

silver or gold. The gold is more expensive, but mayallow a little more flexibility because it has asmoother surface.

Once the plating wears off the rim, the mouth-piece must be replated or discarded. Bare brassagainst the lips could cause a serious infection.This is a problem the teacher must help keep aneye on, as most young players are not aware of thedanger.

Shank SizeInsist that your student buy a mouthpiece with

the proper shank size for his instrument. Using anadaptor is never satisfactory. It will degrade tone,intonation, and response.

Baritones and euphoniums require one of threeshank sizes: 1) small, tenor trombone size (allYamahas, all true English-style baritone horns,and most American bell-front instruments), 2)middle, or euphonium size (pre-1974 Besson andBoosey & Hawkes euphoniums, Willson eupho-niums, and Conn model 24 and 25 euphoniums),and 3) large, or bass trombone size (newer Bessonand Boosey & Hawkes euphoniums, Hirsbrunnereuphoniums, and new King euphoniums). While itis fairly easy to find models with large or smallshanks, it can sometimes be difficult to find onewith the middle size shank. If your student can'tfind this middle size on the mouthpiece he wants,have him buy the large size. It is then a simplematter for any good repair shop to shave it downto fit correctly. The proper technique is to shavethe shank just enough so that it extends about oneinch into the receiver.Detachable Rims

Some manufacturers will prepare their mouth-pieces with a removable rim (called a screw rim)for special needs. If your student is sometimes re-quired to play outdoors in cold weather, youmight have him consider a screw-rim mouthpiece.He can then obtain a lucite rim for his cold-weather playing. This type of rim will never feelcold and won't freeze onto the lips.

Another option is for the player to use hisregular rim on two or more different mouthpiecebodies. This practice is useful when the playerdoubles on another instrument that requires a dif-ferent size cup, such as trombone or baritone

horn. It is also useful when the player needs toudifferent shank sizes for different instrumentWith either of these examples, your student ne jf the available si:change only what is required, always keeping tsame rim he is accustomed to playing.

General AdviceRemember that each student is an individu

with a unique physical makeup and his own co

You'll probabl>or most players f

jy with the very 1.akes only a smaslement to prodti.pie if the studeinouthpiece but filim try a model

cept of tone. The mouthpiece that works well f|nore open throat,one student may be the wrong choice for anothf A mouthpiece'sAlways have each student try the mouthpie|ind a very smallunder consideration on his own instrument. ^performance. Ins.

It is very important to match the mouthpiecefnouthpiece eachthe instrument. For example a deep cup or a larjjjave him buy a nthroat and backbore will probably prove unsatjuse to clean thefactory when used with a small-bore instrumeident may polish :Conversely, a shallow cup or tight backbore mfsionally if necesskeep your student from gettirtg the most out of Since gold platinglarge-bore instrument. be polished.

Offer to go with your student when he tries oi If you wish to nmouthpieces. Even an advanced player finds a semouthpieces, geond opinion valuable. It may also be helpful \bouchure and Metake along an electronic tuner to assess the intoB Division of Selmetion of the mouthpiece in the high and la According toregisters. Encourage your student to cover a euphonium playiaspects of his playing — high and low, loud alBritish Isles, thesoft, tongued and slurred. brands in use are

Some Instrument/Mouthpiece Combinations No |In Use In the United States

Player: Instrument/mouthpiece• U.S. Army BandDavid Cobbs: Besson/Lehman bowl, Wick rimLee Dummer: Besson/Lehman 2Gary Schumaker: Besson/Schilke 51D• U.S. Marine BandLucas Spiros: Yamaha/Giardinelli SpirosGlenn Call: Boosey & Hawkes/Lehman 1, 2, & 4• U.S. Navy BandJohn Hadderly: Willson/Schilke 51DJohn Bowman: Willson/Schilke 5ID• U.S.A./F. BandBrian Bowman: Willson/Schilke 5ID• U.S.C.G. BandDavid Werden: Boosey & Hawkes/Wick 4BLRoger Behrend: Willson/Schilke 5ID• U.S.A. Field BandCarlyle Weber: Yamaha/Perantucci 3Don Burleson: Besson/Lehman 1•West Point BandArden Norton: Besson/Wick 4AMBuddy Baker: Yamaha, Conn/Remington (Conn)Larry Campbell: Hirsbrunner/Perantucci 3Paul Droste: Yamaha/Schilke 51DKarl Humble: Boosey & Hawkes/Custom designArthur Lehman: Boosey & Hawkes/Lehman 3Earle Louder: Hirsbrunner, Besson/Bach 9,

Bach 5GMichael Mamminga: Boosey & Hawkes/Wick 6BMRich Matteson: Yamaha/Giardinelli MattesonDick Nash: Yamaha/Bach 11Denis Winter: Willson/Perantucci 3

t South II Oak,

25,026.0 1

> Older J

i

JM31 jsi-Kup (B8H) j

lesson G70 • jnington j

24 Till INSTRUMENTALIST/MAY 1'IBI

ou'll probably find that the best mouthpieceHost players falls somewhere in the mid-range

he available sizes. Very few players will be hap-vith the very largest or smallest sizes. Often it

only a small change in a particular designfient to produce noticeable results. For qxam-if the student is basically happy with his

uthpiece but finds his high register is flat, havetry a model with similar dimensions but a: open throat.mouthpiece's inner dimensions are critical,

I a very small build-up of dirt could affect itsjformance. Instruct your student to clean hisuthpiece each week with soap and water. Also

: him buy a mouthpiece brush, which he cani to clean the throat and backbore. Your stu-|t may polish a silver-plated mouthpiece oc'ca-jially if necessary, using a mild silver polish.

jgold plating is relatively soft, it should neverolished.

f you wish to read a more detailed discussion ofiithpieces, get the booklet entitled Em-chure and Mouthpiece Manual (Vincent Bach,

|ision of Selmer, Box 310, Elkhart, Indiana).ccording to questionnaires filled out by

j)honium players in North America and theitish Isles, the three most popular mouthpiecends in use are Bach, Denis Wick, and Schilke.

I'll refer to those brands to recommend a fewmodels as good basic mouthpieces. Use these ifyour student doesn't know where to begin inchoosing a proper mouthpiece. Your beginningstudents could try a Bach 6'/2AL, a Wick 6BY (or6BM for medium shanks, and 6BL for largeshanks), and a Schilke 51. After the student's em-bouchure is well-developed, encourage him tochange to a larger mouthpiece. Your more ad-vanced students could try a Bach 4G or 3G, a Wick4AY or 4BS (or 4AM for medium shanks, and 4ALor 4BL f or large shanks), or a Schilke 51D.

As a teacher, you should know which brands areavailable at your local music stores, and may wantto ask dealers to carry some of the more commonmodels so your students will have the opportunityto test-play them.

Specifications are included here for most of thecommonly used mouthpiece brands. Most figureswere obtained from the manufacturers althoughsome are the result of direct measurement. Fol-lowing the tables is a list of instrument/mouth-piece combinations used by some of the promi-nent players in the United States, based partly oninformation obtained from questionnaires. Thelist is admittedly incomplete, but is included as amatter of interest, not for the purpose of makingspecific recommendations.

Mouthpiece Specification Tables

|11 dimensions are; given in millimeters. Cup|ih designations:S""= shallow ; • ;

= medium shallow—medium—medium deep

'.D=deep • . ; • • • ' . . ;ik size designations:

T = small, tenor trombone size£= middle, "old Besson" euphonium sizeB = large, bass trombone size

CCi Mouthpiece* : :t Music Company

4 South Main StreetI Oak, Michigan521-6380}

I plating not available

Cup throat Cup :Diameter Dlam»t*r Depth Shank Net*

25.026.0

7,27,4

MDMD

T-I-BT-i-B

t Older Models for Comparison •Cup Throat CupDiameter Diameter Depth Shank

MllMig M31si-Kwp (B8H)sson G70mington

24.124,525.0 :25.1525.75

6.07.26.77.56.1

MSMDMMDMD

TTEBT-B

Vincent BachDivision of the Selmer CompanyBox 310Elkhart, Indiana(800-348-7426)

$16-20Middle-size shank or screw-rim by special order

Cup Throat CupModel Diameter Diameter Depth Shank Note

12C12nc1198 ViBW87C76%C6V4A6'/»AMo'/iAL655GS5O5GB4C44G33G

24.524.524.724.724.7224.7524.7524.7524.7525.425,425.425.425.525.525.525.525.526.026.026.026.2626.26

5.855.855.855.855.855,855.85S.855.855.855.856.536.635.855.856.637.07.05.8S5,857.06.637.0

MMMSMOMDMSMMSMMSMDMDMDMMMDDDMSMDMDD

T;TTT

TTTTTTT-BT-BT-BTTBBBTTBTB

#1

#3

#2

12

*. cushion rim#2-Robnded rim#3-Very rounded rim

MAY ]>mi/IMl INSIKUMtNlALISl 25

Glordlnelli Band Instrument CompanyIS1 West 46th StreetNew York, New York(212-575-5959)

$23-One-plece (gold-$35)$27-Screw-rim (gold-$47)Also stocked: Bach and Denis Wick

Model

6M6D5M5D4M40Sym, t3GM3G3M3D2GM2GSpirosSym, B

CupDiameter

24.524,525,025.025,425,425.S26,026.026,326.326.526,526.526,7

ThroatDiameter

5.7S6.06.06,06.46.46,46.757.04,46.46,757.157,47,15

CupDepth

MMDMMOMMDMOMDDMMDMODDD

Shank

T-ET-ET-ET-ET.ET-E /T-EBBT-ET-EBftT-EB

Note

#1

#l-Very deep, V-shoped cup

Schtlke Music Products, Inc.529 S.Wobosh AvenueChicago, Illinois(312-922-0570)

$25-32, $37.44 In gold.Middle size shank $5 extra (thank will be bare brass)

Model

40B4042B4243A44E445B45464604784747C45051 B515105252D52E2535758

CupDiameter

22.5122.5322,9923.2223,5724,2824.324.3824.5424.7624.8724,9925.125.425.4325.4325,6325.4425,4425,52l».2426,5227.68

ThroatDiameter

6.356.355.945.946.156.356,156.156,35

,6.356.156.156,156,757.047,047.046.756.357.046.356,757.54

CupDepth

SMS •SMSS0MSMMDMSMMMMSMDM0DMDMD0

Shank

T-BT-BT-BT-BT-BT-BT-BT-iT-BT-BT-BT-BT-BT-BT-BT-BT-BT-BT-BT-BT-BBB

Note

11

12

t314#5

f6

#7

#2

#1-T, Ddfsey model#2-Very deep cup13-Rourtdad rim#4-far beginner15-Recommended for baritone/euphoniumif6-Cushion rimf7-Recommended for euphonium

Lehman MouthpieceRobert J. Pallatised2808 Wood lawn Avenue <Fatls Church, Virginia(703-532-0137)

$40-One-p!ece$55-Screw-rimCustom model. Usually made with customer's own

rim copied on Lehman bowl.No gold plating ottered.

ModelCupDiameter

ThroatDiameter

CupDepth Shank

25.425.425.425,4

7,67,67.67.6

very deep T-E-Bdeeper T-E-Bdeeper T-E-Bextremely T-E-B cup;deep

Denis WickBoosey & HawkesP.O. Box 130Oceanside, New York(S1M78-2SW)

All mouthpieces gold plated$27-32

The It<

The followingnany excellent(elected to demc

CupModel Diameter12CS 24.4IOCS 25.09BS 25.06BS 25.46BY 25.46BM 25.46BL 25.45BS 25.75561 25.75SAL 25,754BS 26.04BL 26.04AY 26.04AM 26.04AL 26.03AL 36.42AL 27.0

ThroatDiameter

mediummediummedium7.07,07,01.07,257.257.257.57.57,57,57.5N/AN/A

CupDepth

MSMSMSMMMMMOMDDMDMDDD00D

ShankTTTTTEBTBBTBTEBBB

Not<

#1 '

#2#2

#2:;

it 4#2";

«.j

#2 In '•!#2;

#1 -Good for baritone horn ';'1 2 -Recommended for Euphonium " j

Yamaha International CorporationBox 7271Grand Rapids, Michigan(616-942-9223)

$18.Gold not available

CupMeaet Diameter

42B 23.047 25,048 25,451 B 25.452D -JHU57 26,551 27.7

ThroatDiameter

5.944156.507.046,356.757,54

CupDepth

MSMMMSD0D

ShankTTT

TTTT

'';;!

1

;

> L I uuiciii 111 vail.

>aroque to jazz, "trass instrumen-

•adios, the euphco students of t.vhich are a vit£ecordings can hiThree fine albi

ire available to t!ire a part of a puservice bands.

Soloists and Cliuard Band, M>Ihepard, David Vlamsoe, ButteiJuartet.This Was the

JuardBand, TheVerden, soloist."Spotlight" -

- The U.S. Air Fioccalari, Brian', Other albums». Young, BaritaJrest Records), i:lamentals of bIcjuipment, andluphonium. Maslaritone: Larrj..eonard), is availvith printed mus:adelt, Vittoria!ind Minuet: Harillegro: Handel.Classical ThemWilson. The tapeL soloist, allowir>art.

There are man

26 INSIKUMINIAI ISI /MAY I'ffil