How to Select the Right Rim Size in a Trumpet Mouthpiece

Selecting the proper mouthpiece is essential to good trumpet playing.

Every trumpet player is different and selecting the right mouthpiece is a large part of instrument setup. The rim of the mouthpiece is the diameter. The larger the diameter, the bigger the tone produced from your instrument. This big tone is often desired in orchestral play, but larger mouthpieces require more energy from the player, so a player needs to keep several things in mind when selecting the best rim size both for tone and for the player's individual physical attributes.

Things You'll Need

• Variety of trumpet mouthpieces of various rim sizes
• Trumpet
• Mirror

Instructions

1. Find a mouthpiece with a rim that fits the size of your mouth. Test multiple mouthpieces by playing a short three-minute to five-minute piece of music. You want to play a piece long enough to be able to view a ring on your lips afterward.

2. Examine the ring left from the mouthpiece in a mirror to see its placement on your lips. The ring diameter should fall outside the top of your upper lip. The tissue surrounding your lip is what gives your playing control and strength, and some of this tissue must be inside the rim.

3. Check the location of the lower lip as well. A small layer of the bottom of the lip, outside the soft fleshy part, should be within the rim diameter as well. The lower lip aids when playing the upper register of notes. Having increased control from the muscles outside the softer portion of the lip will help you hit the higher notes with greater ease. Choose a rim diameter that rings both lips with small portions of the outer lips within the ring for control.

4. Play a few test scales and note the way your lower lip slides into and out of the rim. The lip should slide with ease, adjusting to the necessary mouth position quickly. If you are having trouble making adjustments, move to a mouthpiece with the same diameter but with a less sharp inner edge on the rim. Look for a mouthpiece that rounds off more as it tapers from outer to inner edge.

Tips & Warnings

• Younger players should begin their search with a size 7C mouthpiece, while adult players should begin testing at a size 3C.

References

• Dynaflow: How to Choose a Trumpet Mouthpiece
• Trumpet Geeks International: How to Choose the Right Mouthpiece

Resources

• Trumpet Herald