Prefer narrower, but wondering about wide

[Ricardo]

So I have started to really like thin rim mouthpieces. Bloke piece #2 is great. But for those who like thin rim mouthpieces are there particular circumstances where you might switch to a wider rim? I have some thoughts but want to hear from others who like narrower rims but switch to wide occasionally

[matt g]

In certain instances, like where you’re playing a long time with lots of face time involved, a wider rim may be welcome in terms of playing comfort.

[bloke]

I'm glad to sell wide rims, have plenty here, and plenty of fixed mouthpieces feature wide rims, but I've never found them to do much - other than be restrictive, in regards to flexibility...particularly as tuba players' lips - in the process of playing in the full frequency and dynamic range of the tuba - move from nearly closed (with only a small opening in the center) to being open as much as a fourth of an inch or even a bit more.

If someone plays with excessive pressure, I suppose (??) that distributing that excessive pressure over a slightly larger area might (??) slightly diminish pain/discomfort, but - in reality - most of the wide rims' styling feature a prominent apex, which (unless really mashing) keeps the rims inner retreat area (back down from the apex) remarkably close to the vibrating lips for more distance (inside the "cup") - thus (yes, or no...??) promoting a fuzzy/interfered-with vibration of the lips...

...but I'd be delighted to sell all of these very wide rims.

I have all of these (in various embouchure openings) in stock, PLUS more that are stored in my cabinet, as these are the overflow.

I also have the (fairly wide, and available in several embouchure widths) HBL2 rims in stock (which are also wide, but asymmetrical - thus with the rim "falling away from" the vibrating area of the lips towards the outside, and offering (in my estimation) a more ends-defined resonating arch between the lips.

[Mary Ann]

What I like and seldom find is a rim that has an inward slant. I have found just one that I use on my horn (it's a Thompson T1; I hated the cup but kept the rim.) I don't get why this is not standard, given the shape of the face in the embouchure region. Although I don't have pressure problems on tuba (impossible when you can barely even see the corners) I'd still like a thin, slanted-inward rim. If I ever even have a tuba again. But whatever.

[Dan Tuba]

I prefer wide rims with a "defined" inner edge. My favorite, most comfortable, most used mouthpiece is a 24AW(trigger warning , lol). I don't have flat teeth across the top of my mouth, and I have a very pronounced "tear drop", so the 24AW feels great, responds reasonably well for the type of playing that I do. I mainly perform in wind band, marching band, brass band, and brass quintet. So I have the mouthpiece on my face for extended periods of time. If I were performing regularly with an orchestra, where I was required to come in "cold" after long breaks, I would most likely opt for a narrow rim profile.

[Stryk]

Growing up in the 1960s, braces were VERY expensive. We couldn't afford them. I had really crooked teeth, so the dentist shaved as much as possible from the sides of the top teeth and pushed them into place using retainers. My bottom teeth are still crooked and many rims are painful to use. I found a Bach 18 to fit my messed up mouth the best. The last few years, I have used a Blokepiece #2 in either Fair Dinkum or 33.2 - those both give me zero pain. I have tried tons of other mouthpieces, narrow- wide - sharp - sloping, since I retired from teaching, but, for me, those are the best. My point being, you have to find what works for you and your dentature. IMO, whatever else they may do or hinder is secondary. YMMV