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Looking for Euph mouthpiece
Hey guys, first time posting on this forum.
I'm a junior in high school and am looking for a new euphonium mouthpiece. This is my 5th year playing euphonium after a year of trombone, and I'm the sole euphonist in our top band (yes, it's lonely). I started taking private lessons a few weeks ago, and one thing that surprised my teacher was my mouthpiece choice (I currently play on a large shank Bach 1 1/2G). He said euphonists usually don't play on such big mouthpieces, and that as a 16 year old, I'd probably be better off on something smaller. I like a bigger mouthpiece, and feel most comfortable in the low range. However, as I am now the only euphonist in my band, I now have a few solos that require notes much higher than I've ever played. I can reach these notes (Bb, Cish) but they sound somewhat thin and take much more effort. I fear my mouthpiece may be slightly hurting me in the higher register. In marching band I play on a small shank Bach 6 1/2 AL (marching baritone), and although I think that that mouthpiece works best for marching band, I don't think I'd be too fond of it in a concert setting. So what I've learned is that:
A) My current mouthpiece is a very generic bass trombone mouthpiece
B) I *think* I'm looking for something around a Bach 3 to 5G (Something that is smaller and will help with clarity of articulation and high notes, etc. but will also still have a very resonant timbre. I'd slightly prefer a better timbre over a better range)
I've done some research online, and have found many mouthpieces. My parents say that if I make it into the All-State honor band, they will buy me a euphonium mouthpiece (granted it's under 75ish dollars). I've found a few I'd like to ask about:
1) Should I stick with my 1 1/2G mouthpiece and just practice more of the higher range, or should I look for something particularly different?
2) At my level, should I worry about the quality difference in say, a Blessing 4G and an equivalent sized Schilke? (I'm hoping to keep the mouthpiece through high school and maybe some or all of college, as I do not own my own euphonium due to their price)
3) What are the dimensions of a Benge 59? I've read from this site that Benge became a part of Conn-King-Benge, which I'm assuming is Conn-Selmer today. I've also heard that Benge followed Bach's universal mouthpiece size, but I've only seen examples of smaller mouthpieces (like 12c's or 6 1/2 AL's).
Would a Benge 59 be about the same as a Schilke 59? In that case, that's even bigger than a 1 1/2G, isn't it? (I found this mouthpiece on craigslist, brand new and gold-plated, for pretty cheap)
Any other feedback would be greatly appreciated, as I don't get much input from my schoolmates (There are 5 euphonium players total in our school, and no private instructors that play euphonium primarily). Thanks for taking the time to read all of this and I think you guys are the greatest.
(TL;DR What mouthpiece should I get as a high-school euphonist?)
Preston
I'm a junior in high school and am looking for a new euphonium mouthpiece. This is my 5th year playing euphonium after a year of trombone, and I'm the sole euphonist in our top band (yes, it's lonely). I started taking private lessons a few weeks ago, and one thing that surprised my teacher was my mouthpiece choice (I currently play on a large shank Bach 1 1/2G). He said euphonists usually don't play on such big mouthpieces, and that as a 16 year old, I'd probably be better off on something smaller. I like a bigger mouthpiece, and feel most comfortable in the low range. However, as I am now the only euphonist in my band, I now have a few solos that require notes much higher than I've ever played. I can reach these notes (Bb, Cish) but they sound somewhat thin and take much more effort. I fear my mouthpiece may be slightly hurting me in the higher register. In marching band I play on a small shank Bach 6 1/2 AL (marching baritone), and although I think that that mouthpiece works best for marching band, I don't think I'd be too fond of it in a concert setting. So what I've learned is that:
A) My current mouthpiece is a very generic bass trombone mouthpiece
B) I *think* I'm looking for something around a Bach 3 to 5G (Something that is smaller and will help with clarity of articulation and high notes, etc. but will also still have a very resonant timbre. I'd slightly prefer a better timbre over a better range)
I've done some research online, and have found many mouthpieces. My parents say that if I make it into the All-State honor band, they will buy me a euphonium mouthpiece (granted it's under 75ish dollars). I've found a few I'd like to ask about:
1) Should I stick with my 1 1/2G mouthpiece and just practice more of the higher range, or should I look for something particularly different?
2) At my level, should I worry about the quality difference in say, a Blessing 4G and an equivalent sized Schilke? (I'm hoping to keep the mouthpiece through high school and maybe some or all of college, as I do not own my own euphonium due to their price)
3) What are the dimensions of a Benge 59? I've read from this site that Benge became a part of Conn-King-Benge, which I'm assuming is Conn-Selmer today. I've also heard that Benge followed Bach's universal mouthpiece size, but I've only seen examples of smaller mouthpieces (like 12c's or 6 1/2 AL's).
Would a Benge 59 be about the same as a Schilke 59? In that case, that's even bigger than a 1 1/2G, isn't it? (I found this mouthpiece on craigslist, brand new and gold-plated, for pretty cheap)
Any other feedback would be greatly appreciated, as I don't get much input from my schoolmates (There are 5 euphonium players total in our school, and no private instructors that play euphonium primarily). Thanks for taking the time to read all of this and I think you guys are the greatest.
(TL;DR What mouthpiece should I get as a high-school euphonist?)
Preston
, and it is the mp which Steve Mead first designed (it is a modified 3AL). From there, he went to the SM3U (when he wanted cleaner articulation), then the SM3X (when he needed to go a little shallower).
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