Trumpet mouthpieces - no subject is more talked about amongst peers, and finding the “correct” mouthpiece can often make us feel like templars searching for the Holy Grail. 

In my experience, there are two types of trumpet players: those that don’t pay much attention to their equipment, and those that have a mouthpiece for each musical situation. 

I’ve heard stories that legendary trumpeter and pedagogue William Vacchiano used to carry a candle in his trumpet case to alter the cup sizes in his mouthpiece using wax...to each their own.

It is not surprising that we spend so much time looking for a mouthpiece that best suits our needs since the mouthpiece is the first point of contact with the instrument. 

The trumpet mouthpiece impacts tone quality, range, and overall playability. Understanding the various aspects of mouthpiece design can help trumpet players choose the best one for their needs, however, be warned that although playing the best equipment for our needs is important, a mouthpiece can never make up for fundamental flaws in our technique. 

Choosing the right trumpet mouthpiece is a process that involves understanding your playing style, physical characteristics, and musical goals, and is ultimately a deeply personal journey. 

I will lead with my real advice: play whatever works for you, and every choice comes with a tradeoff. 

What a trumpet mouthpiece does

The trumpet essentially acts as an amplifier for the vibrations produced by our lips. 

The mouthpiece is the first point of contact in this process, and its weight, shape, and size significantly affect these vibrations, influencing tone quality more immediately than any other part of the instrument. 

Additionally, the mouthpiece focuses the vibration area for our lips. For example, lower instruments like the trombone and tuba, which require looser lip vibrations, have large rims that allow more of our lips to vibrate. 

In contrast, trumpet and French horn mouthpieces have smaller diameters that limit the vibration area. This helps explain mouthpiece sizing and highlights why physiognomy is important when choosing a suitable mouthpiece.

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Components of a trumpet mouthpiece

There are many parts to a trumpet mouthpiece, but we will focus on the four which have the biggest impact on mouthpiece selection: rim, cup, throat, and backbore. 

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1. Rim

The rim is the only part of the mouthpiece that comes in contact with your lips. 

Ultimately finding the right rim size and shape determines how comfortable the mouthpiece feels on your lips. 

Since our physiognomies are so divergent, what might be comfortable for you, will feel different for someone else. The rim's width and contour influence how much of the lips are free to vibrate, which directly affects the sound produced. 

Round/Dull vs. Flat/Sharp: 

The sharpness of a rim is referred to as its bite. A sharp rim bite provides a more defined and secure feeling against the lips, which can be beneficial for articulation and precision. 

However, it may also cause discomfort, especially during extended playing sessions. A softer rim bite, on the other hand, feels gentler on the lips but may provide less feedback and clarity in articulation. 

The sharpness or roundness of a rim can also vary in its inner edge. The inner edge of the rim, where it meets the cup, can be rounded, sharp, or somewhere in between. 

This edge can affect how the lips seal against the mouthpiece and similarly impacts sound production and comfort. A sharper inner edge can provide more clarity and definition in attacks. A rounder inner edge may offer a smoother attack.

Wide vs. Narrow: 

A wider rim on a trumpet mouthpiece can offer several benefits. The wider surface area distributes the pressure of the mouthpiece more evenly across the lips, reducing the risk of fatigue during long playing sessions. 

Additionally, a wider rim can provide better support for the lips, enhancing endurance and consistency in playing. However, for players with smaller mouths or less developed embouchures, a wider rim can be more challenging to control and may hinder flexibility in playing, creating a diffused or spread-out tone.

On the other hand, a narrower rim can offer increased flexibility and agility. 

Players may find it easier to articulate and navigate rapid passages with a narrower rim, and it can provide a more focused and centered sound. 

However, a narrower rim may also be less comfortable for some players, particularly those with larger lips or who prefer a more cushioned feel. It may also require more precise embouchure control, as the smaller surface area provides less margin for error in lip placement.

2. Cup

Cup depth: 

The depth of the cup affects the way air flows through the mouthpiece, influencing the sound's timbre and resonance. 

A deeper cup generally produces a darker, richer tone with more depth. Conversely, a shallower cup tends to produce a brighter, more focused tone. 

The benefits of a deep cup include a warmer, more resonant tone, particularly in the lower register, and enhanced control over dynamics. 

A deeper cup can also provide more room for the lips to vibrate, allowing for a broader range of expression. 

However, deep cups may require more effort to play, especially in the upper register, and may be less suitable for players looking for a bright, cutting sound. 

Shallow cups require less air to produce a sound and this efficiency can make high notes easier to play, but they may sacrifice some of the depth and complexity of tone. Shallow cups offer increased agility and ease in the upper register, making them popular among lead trumpet players and those who need to play fast, technical passages.

Cup shape: 

Cup shape refers to the internal curvature of the cup, which can be broadly categorized into two main types: V-shaped and C/U-shaped. 

A V-shaped cup is often associated with a more focused and piercing sound and tends to provide excellent projection and clarity, making it well-suited for lead trumpet players in jazz or commercial settings. However, this shape can sometimes lead to a harsh or overly brassy sound.

On the other hand, a C/U-shaped cup is known for producing a warmer, round tone. Most “standard” mouthpieces have this shape. 

The C-shaped cup can provide a more mellow sound quality, making it suitable for lyrical passages and blending well in ensemble settings. However, it may not offer the same level of projection or articulation clarity as a V-shaped cup, which could be a drawback in certain performance contexts.

*A note on flugelhorn and cornet mouthpieces: these mouthpieces are typically V-shaped, but also much deeper than trumpet variants, which gives them a large mellow tone.

3. Throat

The throat is the narrow passage that leads from the cup to the backbore. 

A larger throat allows more air to pass through, resulting in a fuller sound but requiring more breath control. A smaller throat offers greater resistance, aiding in high-range playing.

4. Backbore

The backbore is the tapered section that leads from the throat to the end of the mouthpiece. 

Different backbore designs can affect the instrument's overall response and intonation. Wider backbores can produce a broader sound, while narrower backbores provide a more focused tone.

Understanding trumpet mouthpiece numbering

With an understanding of these design fundamentals, you can choose a mouthpiece that suits your requirements. 

Each manufacturer uses a unique numbering system to indicate the cup size, rim size and shape, and sometimes the throat and backbore sizes of their mouthpieces. Manufacturers will typically indicate the shape and size of a mouthpiece through a letter and a number. 

The letter indicates the cup depth, while the number indicates the size of the cup, with higher numbers generally corresponding to larger cup diameters. 

In the case of Bach, A cups are the deepest and F the shallowest. For example, a 3C mouthpiece has a medium cup depth (C) and a medium cup size (3). 

Bach's system allows players to easily identify the general characteristics of a mouthpiece based on its number and letter combination. The bore and throat sizes are not explicitly indicated in Bach's numbering for standard mouthpieces. 

This mouthpiece comparison chart is an excellent resource. Many manufacturers will create these for their products and typically use Bach as the reference. 

Understanding trumpet mouthpiece shape (blank)

The term "blank" refers to a mouthpiece's overall shape and weight distribution. 

Manufacturers often provide a standard blank with their instruments, which most trumpet players use. 

Heavier blanks tend to dampen higher overtones, slow articulation response, and project more in large rooms, while lighter blanks favor higher overtones and increase articulation response but project less in large rooms. 

Standard blanks, like Bach's, strike a balance between these extremes, making them popular among classical and jazz players alike. 

Orchestral and chamber jazz musicians sometimes prefer heavy blanks for their color and stability, while lead players often choose lighter blanks for their efficiency and articulation. 

Trumpet mouthpiece manufacturers

There are numerous mouthpiece manufacturers today, which can be divided into two categories: mass producers and custom makers. 

Each option has its advantages and disadvantages. Custom manufacturers like Toshi, Bob Reeves, Park, Monette, Lotus, and Stork typically create highly customizable mouthpieces tailored to specific needs. 

However, these custom mouthpieces are usually pricier, harder to find in local stores for trial, and sometimes have waitlists. 

In contrast, while standard manufactured mouthpieces are less customizable, mouthpieces by Bach, Yamaha, Curry, Austin Custom Brass, and Joseph Klier are stocked at many stores, are usually cheaper, and can be purchased online in almost any size at the click of a button. 

In the end, choosing a mouthpiece is deeply personal. However, I would caution that the specificity of expensive customized equipment is unnecessary for most students. 

Professionals seek out such minute customization because they know their playing extremely well and need tools that keep up with their highly developed playing techniques. Small customizations help professionals, but they can never make up for gaps in technical ability. 

Finding the right trumpet mouthpiece 

Finding the right mouthpiece is a personalized journey that involves understanding your unique playing style, comfort, and sound preferences. 

Start by identifying the sound and tone you aim to achieve, as this will guide your choices in rim size, cup depth, and shape. 

Test different mouthpieces, paying close attention to how they feel and sound during various playing sessions. Consider the materials and their impact on sound production. It's also crucial to ensure that the mouthpiece fits well with your instrument to avoid performance issues.

While trying different models, be aware that what works for one player might not work for another due to individual physiological differences. 

Custom mouthpieces offer specific benefits, but for most students and intermediate players, standard mouthpieces from reputable manufacturers like Bach or Yamaha will suffice. Remember, different is not necessarily better. It's not uncommon to try a mouthpiece and initially think it's the solution to all your issues, only to realize a week later that it’s not right for you. 

Conclusion

Last piece of advice - I always recommend bringing a colleague or teacher as an extra set of ears when trying out new equipment. 

Finding a mouthpiece that works best is a time-consuming process, but knowing what each element of a mouthpiece can help with can help you find a mouthpiece that supports your growth and enhances your playing experience without unnecessary expense.

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