Monday, December 28, 2015

Trumpet Mouthpiece RIMS

Trumpet Mouthpieces

LEGENDS BRASS

Legends Brass has been in business since October 1, 2010.  We have focused our efforts on developing the best in trumpet mouthpieces.  Using our research and development, we tested many mouthpieces and discovered that many had components that worked very well, but nobody had all the components lined up together.  We think we have achieved this process and would invite you to give us a try, to unleash your inner Legend!



Part 2: RIMS (Alpha, Outside, High point, & Inside)

Legends JT RS (shows undercut - Low Alpha)

Legends JT MF (shows NO undercut - High Alpha)
ALPHA:
Here are two fine examples of two very different rims.  The top model is our famous Legends JT RS, inspired by a Roy Stevens piece, and the bottom model is our famous Legends JT MF, inspired by a Maynard Ferguson piece.  The top has undercut on the inside of the rim, or an immediate drop down from rim into the cup.  This is called low alpha angle.  The bottom has a slow entrance from rim into the cup and this is called a high alpha angle.  If these two pieces had the same inside diameter, the bottom one, or high alpha one, would FEEL much smaller.

OUTSIDE:
The outside diameter is the diameter from each outside edge.  The outside diameter minus the inside diameter and then divided in half, will yield the actual rim width.  Some people prefer wide rims and some prefer narrow rims.  Wide rims are more cushy and help with extended playing and help to limit swelling, but negatively impact some people on articulations.  Narrow rims have more bite and can make swelling a little worse, but they do help enhance articulations for some.  The outside contour can also impact the FEEL of the rim.  For example, the outside contour can be more squared or rounded.  A more rounded outside contour will slope away from your chops faster. Different people prefer different outside contours.

HIGH POINT:
The high point of the rim is just as it says.  Where the rim first touches your lips. Flat rims should have the same high point, but other rims should have high points.  If the high point is closer to the outside of the rim, the piece will FEEL larger than if the high point is closer to the inside of the rim.  Different people prefer different high points.

INSIDE:
The inside diameter is the diameter that most people think of when trying to find a mouthpiece.  We measure the inside diameter in inches, but some measure the inside diameter in millimeters. Different manufacturers measure the inside diameter at different points on the inside rim, and this helps cause a lot of confusion in the mouthpiece world. We measure at just the correct point....hahaha!

So, in a nutshell, the rim has a tremendous impact on the overall success you have with a mouthpiece.  Just from what is above, there is an infinite number of variations just in the rim.  Because there are so many really successful rim scenarios, we use many different styles in our models.  I am confident we have the legendary rim just for you!  

2 comments:

  1. This is the most helpful information I have found on trumpet mouthpiece construction. It clearly explains the importance of each feature of a mouthpiece rim.
    Mac Cooper

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