Posted by Mary Ann on August 05, 2003 at 10:06:49:
I was play testing horn cups and rims on Saturday, and the owner of the boxfull had a few reverse contour rims. This was a new concept for me, and I was impressed with the playability of these rims.
What it is: you know how the rim surface is either more flat or more rounded, or somewhere in the middle? The reverse contour rims were more like the rim was ground by pushing it against a ball instead of a flat surface, so that the rim actually slanted in towards the center of the cup.
I found these rims to be amazingly comfortable, and it makes sense: no matter how rounded or flat the surface of the rim is, there is still going to be a point of contact with your lips, instead of a surface of contact, because your teeth are formed in an arch.
I was wondering if such a thing exists in tuba mouthpiece rims. I don't need one like I do on horn, because I don't use pressure to play tuba, but somebody with a bigger face might find it useful.
MA