Design features of mouthpieces for brass instruments
Rim:
The interface between the musician and the instrument is the area with which one most closely identifies. Rim design determines which parts of the face vibrate, clarity of articulation and endurance. A sharp edge enables fast response but can negatively affect endurance. Rims can have symmetrical attributes, evenly rounded inward and outward but also those that are sharp on the inner edge and rounded on the outer. The highest part of the rim determines the contact line. Sharp inner edges result in an accurate response and clear articulation = "Ta", beveled inner edges for a softer articulation = "Da". Narrow rims also offer advantages in transition from low to high volume. A well- defined contact line and the inner edge of the cup is vital to the player, to assure definition in tone production and good endurance.
Cup width:
This dimension essentially determines the richness of the sound. Our mouthpieces are designed to be as wide as possible in order to provide space for lip musculature and to distribute vibrations over the largest possible area. Hereby one achieves more volume and easier response. Wide cups favor flexibility. Cups that are too wide tend to be unstable and lose control. Base pitch tuning tends downwards and response in the high register is made more difficult. These properties are determined less by cup width, more due to the resulting higher cup volume.
Cup depth:
Deep cups have properties similar to wide ones. Richness of the tone is enhanced while the low register tunes higher. Due a greater fundamental component in the overtone balance the high register is more secure. Such aspects can be influenced by a larger back bore. Such action is rather moderate aside from the fact that achieving good balance over a larger range is more difficult. Lengthening the throat enhances apparent resistance while affecting the intonation. Response in the middle or low register is faster and easier yet the tone can tend to be bright.
Cup design:
Cups can be divided into funnel, rounded and pear shapes. Funnel shapes are very suitable for piston valve instruments; well- rounded cups work better for large-bore rotary valve tubas. Funnel cups tend toward a rather dark tone and soft articulation. The sound becomes more robust as the volume increases. Well rounded cups respond precisely and provide a strong center even at medium volume. Tone quality tends brighter with increasing volume. Well rounded cups sound softer and require more effort in the high range. Pear shaped cups with various combinations of the above mentioned properties are the basis of the great success of our products. Decades of experience provide significant benefits to brass wind musicians.
Shell design:
The walls of a mouthpiece reflect sound energy. A thin wall responds quickly but is uneconomical in terms of sound energy. Less sound is reflected into the instrument. Response in pianissimo is good, but with increasing volume the sound immediately becomes bright. The sound tends to break up. Extreme wall thicknesses involves disadvantages: the mouthpieces become physically too heavy, response becomes rigid and the sound monotonous. The wall thickness of the Perantucci mouthpieces are optimized for tonal beauty, presence, uniform response and strong projection in all registers.
Throat bore:
Is the most important regulator of acoustical resistance. Furthermore, this determines the limit of volume and a pleasing tone. Smaller throats give good intonation control, larger ones enable wider dynamic range. The length of the throat affects the stability of the intonation and the sound. A short throat allows for more tonal color and flexibility with less intonation control. The back bore plays a less important role in tuba mouthpieces than with trumpets for example. The relative length of the mouthpiece to the instrument is much smaller. However, even a small change in curvature of the back bore plays a significant role in the overall design of a mouthpiece.
R. Tucci-Musikinstrumente e.K. · Owner.: Robert Tucci - Edelweiss Strasse 153 · 82178 Puchheim
R. Tucci-Musikinstrumente e.K.
Owner: Robert Tucci
Edelweiss Strasse 153
82178 Puchheim
Tel.: +49 89 80076868
Registergericht: München
Registernummer: HRA 72841
USt-ID-Nr.: DE128191823