[TPIN] Andy's mtpc thread returns about kids

[Tptgirl at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/15/2007 2:41:47 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,  
trumpet1 at nycap.rr.com writes:

I've  been teaching for over 35 years and I don't think the beginning 
mouthpiece  matters all that much as long as it's not too extreme.  The 
7C is  actually a fairly large piece: more cup volume than a 3C.
I understand that there are a lot of players who are on the list, that  
teach, that feel they are the definitive authority on some topics including  
certain aspects of teaching (I am not alluding to this email to which I am  
responding - please don't misunderstand).  I, however, have no such  misplaced 
conceptions, and offer my statements as personal opinion based on my  own experiences.
 
Having said that....



I would have to agree that the beginning mouthpiece doesn't really matter  
that much.
 
Here is a funny story - This is pretty odd - but this is the truth.
When I started in 4th grade playing an instrument, I asked for Clarinet  
because I thought that metal instrument with the 3 valves was called a Clarinet  - 
so I was stuck with Clarinet for a few years - until - my next door neighbor  
had a trumpet - he would let me play it, but I could not use his  mouthpiece. 
 He was a little jealous that I was musically talented, so he  did not want 
me to be as good as him on tpt. so yes, I played the darn thing  without a 
mouthpiece.  I figured out the fingerings, how to get a sound by  buzzing, etc, 
without a mouthpiece.

I played it this way for several weeks, until I finally convinced my  parents 
that I should be able to switch to trumpet from clarinet (actually, I  think 
it was a Cornet that he had now that I think about it!).
 
So... the moral of the story is,  I was not ruined by playing on the  wrong 
piece (or no piece in this case).  My muscles were not permanently  messed up, 
I was not at all negatively impacted from using the wrong size piece  as I was 
learning to get a sound from the horn.  I do remember finally  getting a 
mouthpiece - I think it was one of those funny old OLDS pieces, and  being 
thrilled that it sounded so much better!!!

Cheri



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