Comments on: How to Remove a Stuck Mouthpiece From an Instrument

on 1/31/2008 GOOD ADVICE

on 7/18/2007 How to get an alley out of a Trumpet . . . ( when all else fails )I used one of those large fireplace matches and put some crazy glue on the end of it. Then I put it down to where the alley was. ( and left it there until the next day.) Then . . . believe it or not. I lifted the long fireplace match out with the marble on the end of it. I was kind of surprised myself. Ron Kirkland You can e-mail me at. -> kjv4thee@sympatico.ca

on 7/18/2007 How to get an alley out of a Trumpet . . . ( when all else fails )I used one of those large fireplace matches and put some crazy glue on the end of it. Then I put it down to where the alley was. ( and left it there until the next day.) Then . . . believe it or not. I lifted the long fireplace match out with the marble on the end of it. I was kind of surprised myself. Ron Kirkland You can e-mail me at. -> kjv4thee@sympatico.ca

on 5/18/2007 The idea of using wrenches and spacers worked well for me, all else had failed. This was a simple and easy fix to our problem, with little damage. Thanx to jdhenckel

on 1/4/2007 My trumpet had a stuck mouthpiece, and I wanted to remove it myself. The cautions in this article are good advice -- Do not twist it, Do not use a hammer, Do not use pliers.
How to do it. This really worked for me!!

Tools you need -- two open-end wrenches 3/8 inch, 7/16 inch, and a metal spacer about 1.25 inches wide.
Put the 3/8 wrench on the mouth piece stem, it should be a snug fit, resting on the top of the lead tube.
Put the 7/16 wrench on the mouth piece just under the bowl (you might need a 1/2 wrench instead).
Put the metal spacer between the two wrenches so that it is touching the mouth piece. Any strong metal will work, but it must be a perfect fit. I used a large flat file for a spacer.
Squeeze the two wrenches together. The spacer between them will act as a fulcrum and the mouthpiece will pop out!
If it doesn't work, you may need a larger spacer. Make sure it is close to the mouth piece for best leverage.

on 8/8/2006 Most repair shops remove the mouthpiece for free. Just give them a call. Also, music teachers have the mouthpiece remover tool and they are able to remove mouthpieces for free. If you do not have the right tool, you will most likely damage the horn, which repairs can range from $100 or more.

on 1/31/2006 I have found out the hard way that when you play hard for a long time some mouthpieces have a tendency to get stuck from just playing the horn. I do not know why they do, but I do know that for me it always happens when I am nowhere near a puller. One trick I have found is to run the connection between the mouthpiece and the horn under cold water for a minute or so and then try to remove the mouthpiece. This trick works most of the time, but I am not sure if it would work with a stuck mouthpiece due to dropping the horn.

on 1/27/2006 If someone does not oil his or her horns slides, they might get stuck. To remove the slide without damaging the trumpet, add some valve oil to the end where the slide connects with the horn. Then take a soft cloth and thread it into the space between the slides two sides. Gently pull, but be sure to pull as strait as possible and away from the horn. If this doesn't work, get professional help.

on 12/28/2005 Never force or apply pressure to any part of the instrument. Hold the instrument with the mouthpiece facing down. Use a second mouthpiece or a small hammer to very gently tap around the rim of the mouthpiece, do not hit the mouthpiece, but just tap it until the vibrations make it pop out. If you are tapping any harder than you would tap your own knuckle; then you are tapping too hard.

on 11/22/2005 Take a cloth and wrap it around the trumpet's mouthpiece. Next wedge the mouthpiece wrapped with cloth into the hinge of the door. Finally, have someone carefully push the door slightly toward you and twist the horn. The mouthpiece should come unstuck.

on 11/22/2005 My trumpet had a stuck mouthpiece, and I wanted to remove it myself. The cautions in this article are good advice! Do not twist the mouthpiece, do not use a hammer on the instrument, do not use pliers on the mouthpiece.
This really worked for me-

Tools you need:
Two open-end wrenches 3/8 inch, 7/16 inch, and a metal spacer about 1.25 inches wide.

Put the 3/8 wrench on the mouthpiece stem (it should be a snug fit), resting on the top of the lead tube.

Put the 7/16 wrench on the mouthpiece just under the bowl (you might need a 1/2 wrench instead).

Put the metal spacer between the two wrenches so that it is touching the mouthpiece. Any strong metal will work, but it must be a perfect fit. I used a large flat file for a spacer.

Squeeze the two wrenches together. The spacer between them will act as a fulcrum and the mouthpiece will pop out! If it doesn't work, you may need a larger spacer. Make sure it is close to the mouthpiece for best leverage.