[TPIN] What IS competent?

[Louis A. Spagnola]

I totally agree...Mouthpieces are like shoes...Although there are some basics for a fine pair of shoes (good quality leather, proper arch support, ect.)...one size definitely does not fit all.  Of course, if you're a young player, your teacher may recommend a particular mouthpiece for you, but if you're an experienced player you probably have a good idea of what you're looking for in a mouthpiece (or a horn, for that matter). I believe it is, however, a good idea for other trumpet players to hear you on the mouthpieces (and horns) you like to get their opinions.  Ultimately, though, the decision is yours.  That said, I would never pass up the opportunity to test something new...you never know! 
 
Lou
 
   Louis A. Spagnola 12 Elliston Court Exton, PA 19341 (610)647-1336 LouSpag at msn.com



> From: fraserh at comcast.net> To: trumpeterdave at comcast.net; tpin at tpin.okcu.edu> Subject: RE: [TPIN] What IS competent?> Date: Wed, 2 Jan 2008 11:00:41 -0800> CC: > > No matter how wonderful a teacher may be, YOU are still your main teacher.> No teacher can *tell* you what mp to use; they can suggest pieces based on> certain factors, but ultimately it's your physiology at work. What works for> them may not work for you.> > -Fraser> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------------> ----------------------------------------> Fraser Hutchinson> fraserh at comcast.net> > Trumpet, flugelhorn, keyboards, composer, arranger.> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------> ----------------------------------------> -----Original Message-----> From: tpin-bounces+fraserh=comcast.net at tpin.okcu.edu> [mailto:tpin-bounces+fraserh=comcast.net at tpin.okcu.edu] On Behalf Of> trumpeterdave at comcast.net> Sent: Wednesday, January 02, 2008 10:48 AM> To: tpin at tpin.okcu.edu> Subject: [TPIN] What IS competent?> > Mike Vax said:> > "Any change or addition of another mouthpiece, especially for a > young person, should be done with the help of a competent teacher and not> just > because somebody on a list like this says so."> > Ah, there's the rub: "competent"> > Who/How defines "competent" ? > > I have been struggling for about 9 months with > selecting a mp for lead playing. My teacher is a fabulous player, and,> more > importantly, a tremendous teacher--a > serious student of trumpet playing. (He is a Gary Radke disciple) BUT-I just> > flat out didn't like the mp he set me with. (A GR)> I could not get air through air through it.> I gave it a 2 month committed tryout. Played ONLY the GR. Didn't even THINK > about> going back. Until it occurred to me--"Just for kicks, I will try my old 1C> just > once..."> Voila, I was back in business blowing freely again. (Still looking for a> little > help with the high range, though!)> > So the moral of the story is, well, I don't know what the moral of the story> is. > Whatever works? Listen to yourself? Don't worry about it? Try everyting in> sight?> > > > > > _______________________________________________> TPIN mailing list> TPIN at tpin.okcu.edu> http://tpin.okcu.edu/mailman/listinfo/tpin> > _______________________________________________> TPIN mailing list> TPIN at tpin.okcu.edu> http://tpin.okcu.edu/mailman/listinfo/tpin