FIT of the MOUTHPIECE in your LEADPIPE
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The fit of the mouthpiece’s stem in the leadpipe affects several aspects of your playing: Intonation, Response, Stability.
The taper of the mouthpiece stem must correspond to the taper within the leadpipe receiver. That is to say if the taper of the horn’s receiver is Morse Taper #0, then the taper of the stem should also be Morse Taper #0. This is the common taper for all horns made in the United States, as well as many horns built in Britain, the Continent and Japan.
There are variations in the width of some Morse Taper #0 horn leadpipe receivers. Most horn receivers measure about .330” across the inside of the pipe; some measure .325”. The narrower-width pipe will perform better with a narrow-width mouthpiece stem, all else being equal. Many Yamaha horns use this narrower dimension, as well as some custom-built American and Canadian horns. When ordering a mouthpiece from Moosewood you will want to determine if your horn “prefers” one width or the other. A “standard” width mouthpiece will stick too far out of a horn requiring a “narrow” width mouthpiece, usually resulting in a flat high register. A narrow stem, fitted into a standard width horn leadpipe will usually result in a sharp, less-focused tone.
A simple way to check for fit is: place a standard American-made mouthpiece in your horn. Using a sharp black marker, mark where the stem fits in the pipe. Send the mouthpiece to me and I will measure at this mark and determine the width for you. Or, if you have micrometer (you can get your own cheaply at MSC) measure at the mark and give me the figure. Some European horns have another type of taper. Many Alexander horns use a taper other than Morse. If you have an Alex (or other nice European horn) and want to determine if the fit is right for your American mouthpiece, do this:
Make a stripe down the side of your mouthpiece stem, using a black marker like a Sanford “Sharpie”. Put the mouthpiece in the horn and gently twist. Remove the mouthpiece and look at the stem. If the mark is rubbed off near the top of the stem, the taper is Smaller than Morse, making your mouthpiece “float” at the tip. This is a BAD situation and makes for poor response. If the mark is rubbed off at the tip of the stem, the taper is Wider than Morse, and is usually a sign of wear.
Moosewood mouthpieces can be made to fit Morse Taper leadpipes of any size variation; they can also be made to fit Alexander non-Morse leadpipes. Our goal is to help the serious hornist get the most tone, efficiency and Frazunk out of his or her horn.
Thomas Greer, DMus (Honoris Causis)