Brass Mouthpiece Sizing Guide
A mouthpiece consists of the rim, cup, throat, and backbore. Bringing these various components into proper relationship constitutes the art of superior mouthpiece production. In choosing a special combination of rim, cup, throat and backbore designs, consider the effects of each.
RIM
Wide: Increases endurance.
Narrow: Improves flexibility, range.
Round: Improves comfort.
Sharp: Increases brilliance, precision of attack.
CUP
Large: Increases volume, control.
Small: Relieves fatigue, weakness.
Deep: Darkens tone, especially in low register.
Shallow: Brightens tone, improves response, especially in high register.
THROAT
Large: Increases blowing freedom, volume, tone; sharpens high register (largest sizes also sharpen low register).
Small: Increases resistance, endurance, brilliance; flattens high register.
BACKBORE
Except in general terms, it isn’t possible to identify backbores by size because they also vary in shape. Various combinations of size and shape make the tone darker or more brilliant, raise or lower the pitch in one or more registers, increase or decrease volume. In each instance, the effect depends in part on the throat and cup used in combination with the backbore.
Keep in mind that playing qualities of mouthpieces vary from person to person; therefore, descriptions of playing qualities are necessarily subjective. It is important to view all information in this manual as a general guide.
For best results, use it as a starting point for testing a number of models, not as a substitution for testing.
Download the Bach Mouthpiece Guide below to find out more about brass mouthpieces!
RIM
Wide: Increases endurance.
Narrow: Improves flexibility, range.
Round: Improves comfort.
Sharp: Increases brilliance, precision of attack.
CUP
Large: Increases volume, control.
Small: Relieves fatigue, weakness.
Deep: Darkens tone, especially in low register.
Shallow: Brightens tone, improves response, especially in high register.
THROAT
Large: Increases blowing freedom, volume, tone; sharpens high register (largest sizes also sharpen low register).
Small: Increases resistance, endurance, brilliance; flattens high register.
BACKBORE
Except in general terms, it isn’t possible to identify backbores by size because they also vary in shape. Various combinations of size and shape make the tone darker or more brilliant, raise or lower the pitch in one or more registers, increase or decrease volume. In each instance, the effect depends in part on the throat and cup used in combination with the backbore.
Keep in mind that playing qualities of mouthpieces vary from person to person; therefore, descriptions of playing qualities are necessarily subjective. It is important to view all information in this manual as a general guide.
For best results, use it as a starting point for testing a number of models, not as a substitution for testing.
Download the Bach Mouthpiece Guide below to find out more about brass mouthpieces!
| bach_mpce_manual.pdf |