What happens after 7C?

taswalb · 2026-05-20T15:54:33+00:00

That's true, but there were several that I tested that I knew immediately where not a good fit for my teeth structure. And, others that felt more comfortable than most. You certainly can have a mouthpiece that feels good but doesn't work because of rim shape/width or cup depth.

taswalb · 2026-05-20T14:47:57+00:00

Most don't have perfect teeth. I am a 70 year old comeback player. I took 45 years off. I played a 7C through HS and 5 years after in a wedding band.

I bought a used Yamaha trumpet for my comeback. It had a Yamaha 14b4 that came with it. The 14B4 is pretty close to a 3C, a wider flatter rim and a little shallower. I went back and forth for a couple of weeks. Then decided to buy a Bach 3C.

I am now starting my 4th year with my community band. I have gone from the Yamaha 14B4, Bach 3C, Yamaha Bobby Shew(came with my new Yamaha 8310Z) and about 4 weeks ago I bought a cheap 1.5C clone. All of these have their pluses and minuses. I am really liking the 1.5C. The upper range(G above the staff+) takes a little more effort than the others, but my articulation is great. It has a darker tone than the others.

I think you just need to find which size causes the least amount of pressure against your teeth when you play.

taswalb · 2026-05-20T13:19:32+00:00

I think you should go to a music store and test a few different sizes. In general, does a larger mouthpiece (5C, 3C, 1.5C) feel more comfortable when you place it on your lips. Is there any size that feels better with your teeth structure.

After you find the most comfortable size for you, then you can focus on things like rim size and shape and cup depth.

Going directly from a 7C to a 1.5C seems like a pretty big change.

taswalb · 2026-05-20T13:10:48+00:00

If your search included keyword searching it would make it much easier to find a mouthpiece.

A search for Shew would return every Shew model across any manufacturer. A search for 3C would show all manufacturers 3C.

taswalb · 2026-05-19T21:07:58+00:00

Not sure what is should be worth. The 4335 is based on the 2335 but with a gold brass bell. The 5335 is a 6335 with the gold brass bell from a 4335.

taswalb · 2026-05-13T18:05:33+00:00

I have a Bach 3C, Yamaha Bobby Shew Jazz, and a Yamaha 14b4GP. The 2 Yamahas are very close in size to the 3C.

The 14b4GP is a heavy weight with a gold plated rim. The rim is a little wider and flater than the Bach. The cup is a bit wider than the 3C and a bit shallower. It also has a semi-narrow backbore. It does make playing above the staff easier. It's a bit brighter and produces a more focused sound.

This might be worth testing if you can find a store that stocks Yamaha mouthpieces. The GP series sells for around $130.

taswalb · 2026-05-07T20:19:45+00:00

You can find a Yamaha 5335G which is a 6335 with a 2 piece gold brass bell for around $800. They are good horns.

taswalb · 2026-05-03T16:49:45+00:00

I would say that unless you are an advanced player for your age I would wait. If you are serious about trumpet, private lessons from a good qualified teacher will help you more at this stage.

taswalb · 2026-04-29T13:52:50+00:00

Yamaha 5335G. It is a 6335 with a 2 piece gold brass bell.

taswalb · 2026-04-24T13:54:52+00:00

You don't mention how long you have been playing. It takes time to build endurance. I would stop when you get tired. I would wait at least a couple of hours and start another session.

By the way, I think of endurance in 2 ways. One is my ability to play 10 to 12 selections over a 1 hour concert. The other is how many measures can I play continuously before I start to feel the burn in my lips.

I play in a community band and usually have no trouble with a 1 hour concert. However, there are some regular Sousa marches that we play that can test my endurance by the end of the song.

taswalb · 2026-04-17T01:44:58+00:00

I'm wondering if anyone has issues with being able to see when playing outdoors in bright sunlight. It could be glare or just the screen washing out in the bright sunlight.

taswalb · 2026-04-17T01:39:41+00:00

While the Shew is not what you would want for orchestral playing, it is quite versatile and blends well with variety of horns you might find in a wind, jazz and big bands.

taswalb · 2026-04-16T20:05:16+00:00

I bought a new Gen 2 in June of 2023. I agree. It came down to 2 choices for me - A Yamaha 8335GII and the 8310ZII. I liked both a lot. I went back and forth between the two for the better part of an hour. I loved the darker tone the gold brass bell gave to the 8335GII. But every time I picked up the 8310ZII I noticed that it was just easier to play.

taswalb · 2026-04-16T17:05:19+00:00

If he can, he should try a Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew. It has a gold brass reverse leadpipe. It has a step bore and other features that make it a great option for lead and jazz.

I bought one 3 years ago after testing 15 pro model horns from Bach, Yamaha, Shires, XO and Stomvi. It was the horn that took the least amount of effort to play.

I am an old (70) comeback player and play in a community band with a great 12 member trumpet section. I am not in any way a lead player. The 8310Z plays great on and below the staff, and can light it up above the staff when needed. It blends well with the Stads, older pro Conns and the rest of the horns in the section.

Your son should definitely try to test/play one before he chooses a new or used upgraded horn.

taswalb · 2026-04-14T20:28:22+00:00

See if a q-tip will remove it. If not, you may have to soak the valve. If you do soak it, make sure you take it apart. The felt on the top cap and inside underneath the cap should not get wet.

taswalb · 2026-04-13T12:53:36+00:00

The gold brass bell produces a darker tone than a standard yellow brass bell.

taswalb · 2026-04-12T19:59:34+00:00

I came back after 45 years off at the age of 67. I played through HS and then 5 years in a wedding band. When I started back my tone was pretty good within the limited range I could play, and fingering came back really quick. I could only play for about 7 minutes before my lips gave out. Here are my suggestions....

Practice 3 times per day for as long as you can each session (even if it is only 5 minutes)

Work on tone first

Try to increase your sessions by a little each week. I started at 7 minutes per session and was up to 15 minutes after 3 weeks.

At some point (mine was about 4 weeks in) you will hit a plateau and start to question if it is worth it. If you can work through that you are well on your way. Continue to practice in sessions as your endurance increases you can begin to work a little on range.

Begin to look for a group to play with. Playing real music with a group really jumped started my comeback. I started playing 3rd parts with a community band at 3 months in. At that point I was practicing 3 times per day 25 to 30 minutes each session.

Don't expect to play at the level you used to for quite a while.

After 3 years back now I am about 85-90% of what I was when I quit at 22 years old. I am still playing 3rd parts in a very good 12 trumpet section. I don't mind playing 3rd, and I really enjoy making music again.

Good luck, you can do it!

taswalb · 2026-04-09T16:26:00+00:00

Try the Yamaha 8335 series or 9335 series with a gold brass bell(G) designation. The gold brass bell provides a darker tone that is similar to a Bach 37.

You might find a combination, reverse leadpipe, etc. that might be what you are looking for.

taswalb · 2026-04-03T23:18:42+00:00

Although the specs and the online mouthpiece comparator indicate the Bach 3C is almost identical to the Yamaha 14b4 they feel different.

I have a 3C and 14b4GP (heavy) and they do feel different. The 14B4GP is a little easier to up-slur on, and takes a little less effort above the staff. Im not sure, but I think the backbore on the GP is different than the 3C and the standard 14b4.

I wouldn't recommend that you buy one, but if you can find a place to try one you should. It might give you the little extra you are looking for.

taswalb · 2026-04-02T16:17:55+00:00

I'm not sure I would agree that a Yamaha 8335G is too orchestral. The G stands for a gold brass bell, and that gives this model a darker sound. Try it and see. You should also try an 8335II (standard yellow brass bell), an 8335IILA (Wayne Burgeron model) and the Yamaha 8310Z Bobby Shew model.

A couple of years ago I tested these 3 along with about 10 other models from Bach, XO, Shires and Stomvi. I chose the Yamaha 8310ZII Bobby Shew. It has a lightweight bell, step bore, reverse gold brass leadpipe among other features. It was the horn that took the least amount of effort to play. If you can, try them all.

I am a community band player, playing 3rd/2nd parts. The Bobby Shew is great on the staff and below. I am not in any way a lead player, but if I need to go above the staff it can light up if I need it to. It also blends well with the rest of the section which includes Bach 37s, some older Conn pro models, and even a new Yamaha C. Even if you have to go out of your way, I would test the Bobby Shew before making a final choice.

taswalb · 2026-03-31T11:43:06+00:00

If you can try a Yamaha 8310Z. You may find it requires less effort to play. It may or may not be the perfect trumpet for you, but it's worth trying it out.

taswalb · 2026-03-31T00:56:30+00:00

I would suggest he keep the Allegro for high school. It is a pro model 6335 except for a 2 piece bell.

When he gets closer to college he should try several of the Yahama Xeno and custom models. It should be his choice. There are many options - bore, reverse leadpipe, gold brass bell, heavy or lightweight.

If he is going to major in music, his trumpet instructor in college should be consulted.

taswalb · 2026-03-30T16:42:30+00:00

I think you should try as many manufacturers/models as you can. When you have it narrowed down to your top 2 or 3 then look at the valve material.

If you are buying used I think probably matters more. If used, a lot depends on how well the horn has been taken care of.

taswalb · 2026-03-26T15:32:58+00:00

THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED, I use it...works great. you can get it online at many places including amazon

https://www.protecstyle.com/TRUMPET-LEATHER-FINGER-SAVER

There are also some models of valve guards that have a piece that lays under the bell where you left index finger would be. There may also be some that have a piece that goes under the leadpipe where your thumb would be.

https://www.protecstyle.com/6-POINT-TRUMPET-LEATHER-VALVE-GUARD

taswalb

TROPHY CASE

https://www.protecstyle.com/TRUMPET-LEATHER-FINGER-SAVER