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Re: Open vs. Closed Mouthpieces

Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2019-11-13 21:14

What mouthpiece are you using?

Some great symphony players used a small as maybe 1.01mm's, Harold Wright, some are around 1.05 like Stanley Drucker, and other's are around 1.11 such as the retired Baltimore Sym player Steve Barta. And we have a Chicago Sym player at 1.13 or so. The great Julian Bliss is around 1.15.

I don't think there is a perfect number for everyone as a whole. Each embouchure is different. Also your reed selection is extremely important. Maybe find a custom mouthpiece maker willing to send several different tip openings to sample, then figure out which tip opening has the best sound, easy to project, and easy to play on. Also a mouthpiece that is reed friendly. A lot of reeds are rejected because the mouthpiece isn't made right.

I'm at or about 1.06 with a thick blanked reed at 3 1/2 strength. Regular reeds I'm at a 4 strength or higher. Lastly most mouthpieces today have thick or wide rails which can surely effect the freedom of a reed and a mouthpiece.

This probably didn't answer your question but what you need to know is close mouthpieces around 1.01 can project almost as well as something around 1.25 or even more open. A stress free embouchure is what we all want, so for you that may be something around 1.07? Can you post a few notes of you playing? Then fellow players can maybe guide you a bit just from how you play.

Most German players are under 1.00mm.

Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces

Yamaha Artist 2015

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Author

Date

Open vs. Closed Mouthpieces new

BaconLord

2019-11-13 20:46

Re: Open vs. Closed Mouthpieces new

Bob Bernardo

2019-11-13 21:14