I have been playing since 6th grade & I am currently a freshman in high school playing on a size 3C. I am planning on switching to a size gold bach 3D mouthpiece. I was just wondering if i should switch and will a 3D help my range?
Bass Fishing
Comments
I wouldn’t suggest it. Changing mouthpieces to improve range should only be done if you already have a good range and need the boost for something in particular, like jazz. Yes, the D cup of a mouthpiece somewhat facilitates higher range than a C cup, but ask any trumpet pedagogist, playing on a C cup is far and away the best thing for a developing player. If anything, your goal should be to hit the extreme high register cleanly with the C cup, and then move to a B cup. It will be hard to play high on the new B cup but your sound dramatically improves and with enough practice it will come. Do lip slurs, scales, arpeggios and long tones higher than you are able to play. Only thing that might be acceptable is to practice mostly on a C cup and use that for symphonic works (never use anything shallower than a C cup in concert band/wind ensembles) and look into lead player mouthpieces if you need to do some screaming in jazz or marching band.
Hint: Playing high is about 60% air support and proper breathing and 40% embouchure strength.