Tagged: beginner, mouthpiece, trumpet
nafmeadmin.
nafmeadminI have a student who walked in with a step-up trumpet and a Purviance 9B mouthpiece last week. I have been doing some investigating but am still confused as to whether or not I should try to get him to invest in a more traditional beginner model mouthpiece like a 7C. According to the comparison charts I found it looks like this model is comparable to a Bach 2.5 mouthpiece. Should I make the family invest in a different one or allow him to continue on it? His tone has never been very strong, and my thought was that this larger cup would make him have even more endurance problems.
I’ll throw it out to the trumpet kings in the forum. What should I do?
Thank you!
nafmeadminHaving dealt with this similar issue I would talk with the parents. Explain that that the Purviance 9B is for a trumpet player with a more well developed embouchure and the student could benefit from something like a 7C. A relatively inexpensive 7C can be found online, try ebay. I’d even suggest a used 7C.
nafmeadminI would definitely push for a 7C for a beginner. Woodwind & Brasswind has the Bach 7C for $48.99 right now with free shipping. You may have a local shop that might could give you a better deal. If you trust eBay or other online auctions like that, go for it.
I really never recommend these, but if they really can’t afford the Bach, you could go with one of those plastic Kelly mouthpieces. They are like $20. I hate the sound of them, but at least they could start to get used to the size.
nafmeadminA mouthpiece is like a good pair of shoes, If it’s comfortable and does not cause any issues then leave it be. Having said that, a 2.5 is not common. I would try to get a few mouthpieces to have on hand in the band room all the time for these situations. My recommendations would be Bach 7c, 5C, 3C, Dennis Wick 3c and Schillke 13 or 14. Some beginner trumpets are coming with mouthpieces equivalent to a Bach mouthpiece traditionally used for D trumpet. I find these student have a very thin sound and I will usually have them try a 5 or 3c during class. It is usually even noticeable to the other band students how much better their sound is. I think if you have them switch, and I probably would in this case, I would make sure it is worth while for the student and the parents. Have them get a good mouthpiece for them (comfortable fit with a nice easy sound, range and endurance will come with time and practice) that will last a while not just waste the parents money. If a 7c is no better or worse than the 2.5 you,ve wasted time and money and no one will appreciate that.
Bill
Christopher M. Johnson, Professor of Music Education and Music Therapy, is currently the Chair of the Music Education and Music Therapy Department and Director of the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. Johnson earned his Ph.D. from the Florida State University.
Since his arrival at The University of Kansas, Johnson has taught courses in Instrumental Conducting, Teaching Instrumental Music, Managing Behaviors in the Music Environment, Psychology and Acoustics of Music, and Research Methods in Music Education and Music Therapy. Johnson served two terms as the editor of the International Journal of Music Education: Research, the research publication of the International Society for Music Education. He is currently serving his second term on the National Association for Music Educations Executive Committee of the Society for Research in Music Education. He also served on the editorial board of the Journal of Research in Music Education, and one earlier term as the Chair for the MENC Executive Committee of the Society for Research in Music Education. Johnson also served as the Chair for the Research Commission of the International Society for Music Education.
Johnson’s research interests include applied research in music education, and basic research in all aspects of the psychology of music. He has published articles in many journals including the Journal of Research in Music Education, the International Journal of Music Education, the Journal of Music Therapy, Journal of Band Research, Contributions to Music Education, and the Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, among others. Johnson has also been an active member and contributor to the Research Seminar of the International Society for Music Education and World Alliance for Arts Education.
Johnson received a university teaching award – the Ned N. Fleming Award for Excellence in Teaching and received the recognition for Graduate Teaching Achievement from the Center for Teaching Excellence. Johnson was also awarded a lecturing & research award as a J. William Fulbright Scholar and recently received the Ella Scoble Opperman Citation for Distinguished Achievement from the Florida State University College of Music.
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