Yesterday I used the wedge on my Yamaha Neo to do a concert with the Indianapolis Brass Choir. Parts were very busy, but not difficult. Also includrd the piccolo part to S&S.
*The Wedge matches my Neo well. Of all the horns I have owned, the Neo seems to be the most mouthpiece-sensitive...given that fact that the same person helped to develop both the Neo euph and the Wedge mouthpiece, the match of mpc to horn isn't surprising.
*The Wedge is COMFORTABLE. While I rarely have endurance issues, the Wedge fit comfortably to my embouchure and I was not tired after a 60-minute concert with busy parts and short times between tunes. I'll see how it is when I do my upper-register drills, but for normal work--I like the Wedge.
*The Wedge blows nicely. Between the wedged rim, the cup size, and the backbore/throat, I perceived some difference compared to the usual 4AL, and the difference was for the better. I like the amount of resistance the Wedge offers as well, finding it to be a good match to the Neo.
*Slurring is slightly easier, both across partials and when changing valves.
*The lower register is nicer for me with the Wedge. Either it is some characteristic of the mpc itself or it is the fact that the mpc forces the user to have a better embouchure set for the lower register. I don't care which is which; the low notes speak better with the Wedge.
*There seems to be no compromise in the upper register...I can reach double B flat with no issues reliably, and the double B I end PANACHE with pops right out.
*I think I hear a somewhat warmer tone coming out of the horn when using the Wedge. I haven't had a chance to confirm, however, with ears other than mine.
*I had to tell Sean that I wasn't picking my nose, just ensuring that the Wedge was aligned properly. I verify by sneaking a fingertip under the middle of my nose and making sure I can feel the dot. I can easily see this becoming a habit, for better or worse.
*I have yet to determine how much leeway there is in placement before quality of the music suffers. I'm thinking that there isn't very much, hence the need to verify position frequently.
*OVERALL IMPRESSION...It's a keeper.
*The Wedge matches my Neo well. Of all the horns I have owned, the Neo seems to be the most mouthpiece-sensitive...given that fact that the same person helped to develop both the Neo euph and the Wedge mouthpiece, the match of mpc to horn isn't surprising.
*The Wedge is COMFORTABLE. While I rarely have endurance issues, the Wedge fit comfortably to my embouchure and I was not tired after a 60-minute concert with busy parts and short times between tunes. I'll see how it is when I do my upper-register drills, but for normal work--I like the Wedge.
*The Wedge blows nicely. Between the wedged rim, the cup size, and the backbore/throat, I perceived some difference compared to the usual 4AL, and the difference was for the better. I like the amount of resistance the Wedge offers as well, finding it to be a good match to the Neo.
*Slurring is slightly easier, both across partials and when changing valves.
*The lower register is nicer for me with the Wedge. Either it is some characteristic of the mpc itself or it is the fact that the mpc forces the user to have a better embouchure set for the lower register. I don't care which is which; the low notes speak better with the Wedge.
*There seems to be no compromise in the upper register...I can reach double B flat with no issues reliably, and the double B I end PANACHE with pops right out.
*I think I hear a somewhat warmer tone coming out of the horn when using the Wedge. I haven't had a chance to confirm, however, with ears other than mine.
*I had to tell Sean that I wasn't picking my nose, just ensuring that the Wedge was aligned properly. I verify by sneaking a fingertip under the middle of my nose and making sure I can feel the dot. I can easily see this becoming a habit, for better or worse.
*I have yet to determine how much leeway there is in placement before quality of the music suffers. I'm thinking that there isn't very much, hence the need to verify position frequently.
*OVERALL IMPRESSION...It's a keeper.
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