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((See also|Mouthpiece (woodwind)))
((More citations needed|date=September 2014))
[[File:Embouchure profil.jpg|thumb|Trumpet mouthpiece from the side]]
The '''mouthpiece''' on [[brass instrument]]s is the part of the instrument placed on the player's [[lip]]s. The mouthpiece is a circular opening that is enclosed by a rim and that leads to the instrument via a semi-spherical or conical cavity called the cup. From the cup, a smaller opening (the throat) leads into a tapered cylindrical passage called the backbore. The backbore is housed in a tapered shank, which is inserted into an opening called the receiver on the main body of the instrument.

On all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player's vibrating lips (embouchure) cause the air column, i.e. the air enclosed inside the instrument, to vibrate. This is done by pressing the lips together and blowing air through them in order to produce a 'buzz.' The mouthpiece is where this lip vibration takes place. On most instruments, the mouthpiece can be detached from the main instrument in order to facilitate putting the instrument in its case, to use different mouthpieces with the same instrument, or to 'play' the mouthpiece by itself to exercise the player's [[embouchure]].

Different mouthpieces will produce different qualities of tone when used with the same instrument. Lower instruments also have larger mouthpieces, to maximize resonance (see [[pitch of brass instruments]]). Also, mouthpieces are selected to suit the [[embouchure]] of the player, to produce a certain [[timbre]], or to optimize the instrument for certain playing styles. For example, [[trumpet]] and [[trombone]] mouthpieces are usually semi-spherical whereas [[French horn]] mouthpieces are conical.

==Mouthpiece design==
[[Image:Trumpet mouthpiece cut-away numbered.svg|thumb|Cut-away view of trumpet mouthpiece: ((ordered list |Inner rim diameter |Rim width |Rim contour |Rim Edge |Cup |Throat |Backbore |Shank))]]
<!--[[image:Tpt-mpiece-front-large.jpg|thumb|250px|Trumpet mouthpiece from the front. Note the cushioning effect of the rim, the cup in which the lips vibrate, and the small aperture into the rest of the instrument]]-->
The mouthpiece has a large effect on instrument sound. Major effects are due to the shape of the cup, shape of the backbore, and the inner rim diameter. In addition, players often choose a mouthpiece that complements their playing style. In general, brass players who concentrate on the upper range prefer a mouthpiece with a smaller inner rim diameter, and players who emphasize the lower range prefer a larger one. The cup depth also heavily influences the tone of the brass instrument. A shallow cup may "brighten" the sound, meaning that upper overtones are brought out more, while a deep cup can "darken" the sound, emphasizing lower overtones. However, these results will vary from player to player, depending on many personal factors.

{|class="wikitable"
|+The effects of different aspects of mouthpiece design
!No.
! Mouthpiece element
! Effect on playing
! Typical size/nature<br />(Trumpet)
! Typical size/nature<br />(Tuba)
|-
|1.
|Inner rim diameter
|Larger inner rim diameters are optimized for lower ranges, giving a richer tone. Smaller diameters assist high range playing.
|((cvt|16|mm))
|((cvt|32|mm))
|-
|2.
|Rim width
|Wider rim widths reduce the pressure on the lips, allowing greater stamina. It does, however, reduce flexibility.
|((cvt|5|,|6|or|7|mm))
|((cvt|6|mm))
|-
|3.
|Rim contour
|Flatter rim contours tend to appear on rims with sharper edges (see below).
|Varied
|Varied
|-
|4.
|Rim edge (or bite)
|Sharper rim edges reduce stamina but increase control. More smoothed rims are commonly found on deeper cups.
|Varied
|varied
|-
|5.
|Cup depth
|Shallower cups greatly assist playing in high ranges but do so at the cost of fullness of tone. Deeper cups assist low range flexibility and rich tone.
|Around half the inner rim diameter.
|((3/4)) to 2 times the inner rim diameter.
|-
|5.
|Cup shape
|Semi-spherical cups have brighter, more projected tones, while conical cups have less tone definition (see throat contour, below).
|Semi-spherical
|Both
|-
|6.
|Throat contour
|In semi-spherical cups, a sharper throat contour gives a more harsh, projected tone and a rounded contour gives a deeper, richer tone. Conical cups with a smooth throat have less definition.
|Relatively sharp
|Usually rounded
|-
|6.
|Throat diameter
|Larger throat diameters give more volume but less control. Smaller diameters have much more control but significant volume limitations.
|((cvt|3.6|mm))
|((cvt|7.6|mm))
|-
|7.
|Backbore
|More conical backbores give a richer tone, while more cylindrical ones give a brighter, more projected tone.
|Fairly cylindrical
|Varied
|-
|
|colspan=4|<small>Note: in this table:</small>
*<small>"flexibility" refers to the 'agility' possibility; greater flexibility assists in playing music with fast passages and large intervals.</small>
*<small>"control" refers to the ease of control over harmonic and tone.</small>
*<small>"rich tone" refers to notes possessing few high harmonics, while "bright tone" refers to notes possessing many high harmonics.</small>
|}

==Material==
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:christian_lindberg_mouthpieces.jpg|thumb|right|Gold- and Silver- plated mouthpieces (Christian Lindberg Series)]] -->
Makers commonly construct mouthpieces from one of two types of material, with different costs, properties, and features.  Metal mouthpieces can be plated with some other metal.  Some of the following assertions, especially those regarding the effect of plating on tone color, are questioned by many players and specialists.((who|date=August 2014))((Citation needed|date=October 2008))

===Brass===
Mouthpieces have traditionally been formed of solid [[brass]]. Due to brass often containing lead and being toxic upon contact, brass mouthpieces are usually plated with either [[gold]] or [[silver]] to protect the player from potential brass poisoning.<ref>((cite journal | pmc = 2506540 | pmid=20759038 | volume=1 | title=Chronic Brass Poisoning | year=1900 | journal=Br Med J | pages=1334–6 | last1 = Murray | first1 = W | issue=2057 | doi=10.1136/bmj.1.2057.1334))</ref>

===Plastic===
[[Plastic]] mouthpieces are usually made of [[Lexan]] plastic, and are often available in various colors. They are durable and don't dent as do metal mouthpieces. Less expensive than metal mouthpieces, players commonly use them when playing outdoors—particularly marching brass players—because their heat conductivity is far less than in a metal mouthpiece. Players who prefer metal mouthpieces generally believe plastic mouthpieces have an inferior tone quality and feel compared to metal.((Citation needed|date=May 2012))

===Other===
Recent additions to the mouthpiece world include stainless steel,<ref>((Cite web|url=http://www.loudmouthpieces.com/|title=Welcome to LOUDMouthpieces.com. Home of the Best Stainless Steel Mouthpieces in the World.|website=www.loudmouthpieces.com|access-date=2016-09-25))</ref> titanium, and wood.<ref>((Cite web|url=http://numouthpieces.com/|title=Home|website=numouthpieces.com|access-date=2016-09-25))</ref> They are relatively rare, produced by few manufacturers. Some players((who|date=August 2014)) feel stainless steel and titanium mouthpieces provide advantages over the classic brass mouthpiece, including, anecdotally, a more centered feel and sound,((Dubious|date=December 2010))((Citation needed|date=August 2008)) as stainless steel and titanium do not absorb as many vibrations as brass,((Citation needed|date=August 2008)) they require much less care, etc.—but they are much more expensive. (Titanium mouthpieces cost up to [[US$]]400 each.((citation needed|date=March 2017)))

===Silver plating===
[[Silver]] plating is common on all brass mouthpieces because it is cost-effective and good in terms of tone quality.  It is also moderately germicidal.  Silver plating is not as comfortable((citation needed|date=August 2014)) or as expensive as gold, but has properties and qualities that some feel facilitate certain styles of playing((Dubious|date=December 2010)). Some((who|date=August 2014)) believe that silver plate provides a clearer, darker sound than gold((Dubious|date=April 2011)) and is good for styles of playing that require clarity and projection. Silver-plate is less expensive than gold, but requires more [[Maintenance, repair and operations|maintenance]] because it tarnishes easily. Slightly tarnished silver-plate can be polished back to its brightness with silver polish.

===Gold plating===
Some players((who|date=August 2014)) believe [[gold plating|gold-plated]] mouthpieces on brass instruments create a fuller, richer tone that can also be somewhat darker [[timbre]].((Dubious|date=December 2010))((Citation needed|date=November 2007)) For people allergic to the [[Nickel allergy|nickel]] found in most silver, this is the best (but not cheapest) way to play a [[brass instrument]] without discomfort. Gold does not tarnish, and subsequently requires little maintenance apart from regular washing with [[soap]] and [[water]].  The extreme price of gold, however, means that the plating is usually relatively thin and thus fragile, and can even be worn away with use.

== Sizes ==
Each mouthpiece company uses a different labeling system. A larger number can mean a larger ''or'' smaller mouthpiece depending on the company. Likewise, the letters mean different things depending on the company.  Even if companies appear to share marking systems it may be that same-marked mouthpieces from different manufacturers are different, although usually the differences are relatively small. There is no universally-recognized industry standard.

==See also==
((Wikisource1911Enc|Mouthpiece))
* [[Leadpipe]]
* [[Brass instrument]]
* [[Embouchure]]
* [[Gold plating]]
* [[Silver]]

==References==
((reflist))

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20150801204354/http://mouthpiececomparator.com/ Brass Mouthpiece Comparator]
((Brass instruments))

[[Category:Brass instrument parts and accessories]]

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