Posted by Mary Ann on July 10, 2002 at 09:13:58:
In Reply to: Monettes posted by John on July 09, 2002 at 11:41:47:
From my extended researches on horn mouthpieces, I've come around to a point of view on mouthpieces that is this: the best mouthpiece is the one that best fits the system it is applied to. The system consists of the player plus the tuba, and the _two_ of them form a resonant cavity of sorts. The player's oral cavity, sinuses, chest cavity, even body mass, plus the tuba, form a resonant system. The buzz goes both ways....you can get a sound, out of the tuba, by inhaling through a buzz. (which is intended to show that your body cavity also resonates, even though the air is blowing the other way.)
So....you have to try a variety of mouthpieces to see which one(s) sound the best with your particular "system." I can't imagine that I would use the same mouthpiece on my MW 182, with my 110 lb self, as Mark Nelson does on his 4/4 F and his much huger self. The resonant systems are too different. Make that a 6/4 CC tuba, and the mouthpiece difference would be more yet.
MA