Many thanks for this vid. Your objective presentation convinced me to purchase a Soloist, Cornet and Flugelhorn mouthpiece. The Cornet and Flugel models allow me to channel the sound each instrument was built to offer...and the Soloist is really the first mouthpiece I' ve found to be a true all-arounder without compromise. Your expertise really demonstrated the strengths of each model.
Just wanted to add that the Soloist model works well also on the piccolo trumpet (in my case a Selmer 4-Valve for trumpet shank Pic) without having to go to a smaller rim diameter.
Thanks for posting this video Alex. I've just about played every 3C sized mouthpiece out there and decided to give to soloist model a try based on this vid. Seems to suit me just fine - enough zing for my big band work and enough finesse for shows/chamber/quintet. You sound great BTW.
Just found your videos this evening, very helpful... To what extent do you use different mouthpieces at different times? To what extent do other expert trumpet and cornet players use different mouthpieces? Thanks for your efforts
Hi David, Thanks very much! Its a totally individual choice; there are many fantastic trumpet players who only use the one mouthpiece (although you tend to need a different mouthpiece for cornet/flugelhorn/piccolo trumpet through necessity) and then there are many players who use multiple mouthpieces with great success too. The reasons for changing equipment are also varied: sometimes its for range, or for comfort, dynamics or different sound qualities. Its all entirely down to individual preference! For me personally, I change mouthpieces very regularly to allow me to get closest to the sound quality I am looking for with the least amount of effort. This also changes day to day; if I feel very strong and flexible I may not bother to change so much, but if I feel in need of support (perhaps to generate greater brightness in the high register) then I may change to a deeper/shallower mouthpiece for particular passages,. Ultimately we are aiming to produce the best musical result; if that is achieved by swapping between 3 different mouthpieces throughout a symphony, or only using the same one, its only the end result that matters. The names of a few truly legendary trumpet players who use multiple mouthpieces very regularly: Wayne Bergeron, Doc Severinson, Phil Cobb, the late Lew Soloff and the late Bud Herseth. And the names of a few players who, to the best of my knowledge, (more or less) stick on the same mouthpiece for all of their playing: Wynton Marsalis, Hakan Hardenberger, Thomas Gansch, Arturo Sandoval. Point being that there are unbelievably amazing players on both sides of the debate! Hope that helps to answer your question. Alex
Very helpful reviews thank you! Have you tried the Phil Parker trumpets? Looking at the professional models and wondering how they match up to a Bach Strad for example?
Hi, I think you may have already commented on this video, but it basically encapsulates my general advice for working at the low register! ua-cam.com/video/Dwfhtmsvc9Q/v-deo.html
Damn..... your articulation is nuts. I'm sure these Phil Parker pieces are all great, but your playing is so good that you'd probably sound great on some lump of shit that was made of melted down shock absorbers in (pick rubbish country)!
Great video Alex, sounding amazing as always!
Sounding great as always!
Many thanks for this vid. Your objective presentation convinced me to purchase a Soloist, Cornet and Flugelhorn mouthpiece. The Cornet and Flugel models allow me to channel the sound each instrument was built to offer...and the Soloist is really the first mouthpiece I' ve found to be a true all-arounder without compromise. Your expertise really demonstrated the strengths of each model.
Just wanted to add that the Soloist model works well also on the piccolo trumpet (in my case a Selmer 4-Valve for trumpet shank Pic) without having to go to a smaller rim diameter.
I'm very impressed with your technique! I'm hoping that these mouthpieces are available in the 🇺🇸!
Thanks for posting this video Alex. I've just about played every 3C sized mouthpiece out there and decided to give to soloist model a try based on this vid. Seems to suit me just fine - enough zing for my big band work and enough finesse for shows/chamber/quintet. You sound great BTW.
Hi Clevoguer,
Thanks!
Very glad you found one, I was really impressed with the soloist model too! Keep me posted on how you develop with it!
I play the lead model. It’s a great piece - lots of undercut (low alpha angle for you GR nerds) so I don’t bottom out and just enough bite on the rim.
Just found your videos this evening, very helpful... To what extent do you use different mouthpieces at different times? To what extent do other expert trumpet and cornet players use different mouthpieces? Thanks for your efforts
Hi David,
Thanks very much!
Its a totally individual choice; there are many fantastic trumpet players who only use the one mouthpiece (although you tend to need a different mouthpiece for cornet/flugelhorn/piccolo trumpet through necessity) and then there are many players who use multiple mouthpieces with great success too.
The reasons for changing equipment are also varied: sometimes its for range, or for comfort, dynamics or different sound qualities. Its all entirely down to individual preference!
For me personally, I change mouthpieces very regularly to allow me to get closest to the sound quality I am looking for with the least amount of effort. This also changes day to day; if I feel very strong and flexible I may not bother to change so much, but if I feel in need of support (perhaps to generate greater brightness in the high register) then I may change to a deeper/shallower mouthpiece for particular passages,. Ultimately we are aiming to produce the best musical result; if that is achieved by swapping between 3 different mouthpieces throughout a symphony, or only using the same one, its only the end result that matters.
The names of a few truly legendary trumpet players who use multiple mouthpieces very regularly: Wayne Bergeron, Doc Severinson, Phil Cobb, the late Lew Soloff and the late Bud Herseth.
And the names of a few players who, to the best of my knowledge, (more or less) stick on the same mouthpiece for all of their playing: Wynton Marsalis, Hakan Hardenberger, Thomas Gansch, Arturo Sandoval.
Point being that there are unbelievably amazing players on both sides of the debate!
Hope that helps to answer your question.
Alex
Very helpful reviews thank you! Have you tried the Phil Parker trumpets? Looking at the professional models and wondering how they match up to a Bach Strad for example?
You sound soooo great and bright! What is the key for a clear sounding low register? I am beginner...my sound sound stuffy/cloudy
Hi,
I think you may have already commented on this video, but it basically encapsulates my general advice for working at the low register!
ua-cam.com/video/Dwfhtmsvc9Q/v-deo.html
Damn..... your articulation is nuts. I'm sure these Phil Parker pieces are all great, but your playing is so good that you'd probably sound great on some lump of shit that was made of melted down shock absorbers in (pick rubbish country)!