Kelly Mouthpiece Review

Have you ever thought that I'd be cool to have a mouthpiece in a color such as red or blue? How bout crystal clear? Maybe even glow-in-the-dark? If so, then Kelly Mouthpieces are a product that you must check out. Kelly Mouthpieces are made from lexan which is a type of plastic, this means that they can offer mouthpieces in a wide variety of colors. For trombone and euphonium they have the standard sizes of 12C, 6.5AL, and 51D for small shank. They also have  5G, 51D, and 1.5G for large shank. They even have 5G and 51D for european shank. The product I received from Kelly was a crystal clear, large shank 51D mouthpiece.

Shipping - My mouthpiece was shipped to me in a standard packing envelope with the mouthpiece inside of a plastic bag inside. One effect of the piece being plastic is that it does not dent (well, I'm sure you could if you really tried, and heated the mouthpiece, but this is under normal circumstances). As a result, had this shipping method been used with a brass mouthpiece, I would be appalled. However, unless you catch a postman who is really, really angry that day, I highly doubt you'd have any issues with the piece. So I would consider the shipping job safe for what it is. Shipping was also very prompt.

Shipping rating - 4.5/5

Design/comfort - Wow! If you've never used a lexan piece before, I would highly suggest at least trying one. It is a very comfortable feel on your embouchure. Not to mention, it will feel comfortable no matter what the environmental temperature is! I put mine in my freezer for over an hour, took it out and immediately starting playing on it in my trombone. The difference in temperature was barely noticeable. As for the design, I have no complaints, very high quality of build and the dimensions feel the same as my Schilke 51D. One final advantage to lexan is that it is hypoallergenic. This is invaluable to those who are allergic to brass or silver.

Design/comfort - 5/5

Tone - I know what you're thinking. I can hear it through the computer. You're thinking, "But, plastic obviously can't sound as good as a traditional metal mouthpiece!" To be perfectly honest, going into this, I wasn't completely sure what to expect from this mouthpiece in terms of tone quality. Yes, the tone is different. However, I would not consider it worse, just different. The sound isn't as bright and sounds a bit more diffuse than my Schilke. I would have no issues using this mouthpiece in a wind band setting for performance. I plan on posting a sound comparison between a few of my mouthpieces (the Kelley, Bach Megatone, Schilke, and Monette) within the next few weeks, so that way you can hear for yourself what each piece sounds like.

Tone - 4/5

Pros

• Cost
• Unique
• Variety of colors
• Comfortable, especially across temperature ranges
• Specifications are accurate to those we are used to
• Very durable/doesn't dent under normal circumstances

Cons

• Many players look down upon plastic (with little basis in truth I might add)
• Some argue that the core of sound is lost, however in my personal playing I have not experienced this to a significant degree
• Colored mouthpieces may not be accepted in some venues, i.e. Orchestras. However, this has the possibility of changing in the future.

Price

Large shank - $26

Small shank - $24

Both from kellymouthpieces.com

Overview - This concept for mouthpieces is brilliant in my opinion. Lexan mouthpieces have many practical advantages such as they are hypoallergenic, a poor conductor of heat, and they're lighter. On top of this, lexan opens up a wide variety of colors for the performer. The sound difference that I noticed was significant enough to be noticed, however I would not go as far as to say its worse. It is simply different just as all materials are. Kelly mouthpieces are a great option for those on a budget, students who can be rough with equipment, and those looking for a unique piece. I would definitely recommend trying a lexan piece. I'm very happy to add this mouthpiece to my arsenal and it will definitely be getting use, especially for outdoor gigs in winter. Great job to Kelly Mouthpieces!

Overall rating - 4.5/5

Photos - I don't have many as my camera had a lot of issues trying to pick it up due to it being clear so almost all of the pictures I had were blurry. If I manage to get anymore good ones, I'll update the post.

Beginner Trombone Mouthpiece Advice

Mouthpieces are the part of a brass instrument which directly contacts your embouchure or lips. Being the first part of the instrument that the air and sound passes through, it is an important part of the instrument. In this article I'll help guide you through what mouthpieces are and how to choose one that will suit your needs.

Mouthpieces are also a very personal choice and many players can get into heated conversations about the differences in mouthpieces and what is better. In reality, some mouthpieces work for some people and others work for others. This is due to a variety of factors including: concept of sound, range, natural embouchure, etc.

Parts of a Mouthpiece

Rim - The rim of a mouthpiece is the part of the mouthpiece which contacts the embouchure. In most cases it is slightly rounded to improve comfort. The inner diameter of the mouthpiece is also an important measurement in determining the right size of mouthpiece for you.

Cup - This should be pretty self-explanatory. The cup of a mouthpiece is the inner part where the lips vibrate and sound is carried through the mouthpiece and eventually out the bell. Cup depth is the other important measurement in determining the right mouthpiece for you.

Throat - The throat of the mouthpiece is the smallest aperture (opening) in the mouthpiece. It is found at the bottom of the cup. After this point, the diameter will continue to increase throughout the mouthpiece. You can also find this spot by looking down the backbore of the mouthpiece. Throat size is basically standard for mouthpieces at the beginner and intermediate levels. Higher level musicians will learn what size throat they like to play on. This mainly affects the airflow through the mouthpiece and instrument.

Backbore - The backbore of the mouthpiece is the opening behind the throat of the mouthpiece. Usually it is shaped like a funnel, increasing the bore all the way to the end of the mouthpiece. Some manufacturers will sell mouthpieces with different size backbores, but as with throats, this should not really be changed from standards for beginner and intermediate players.

Shank - The shank of a mouthpiece is part below the cup. From the outside, it should look like a cylinder. For trombone and euphoniums there are two main shank sizes and one less commonly used one. The two main ones are small and large shank and the other is medium or european shank. These determine which instruments it will fit. European shanks are generally only used on euphoniums and baritones.

Bach Nomenclature System - This is the most common way that mouthpieces are sized. The Bach system consists of a number and then a letter. The number refers to the relative size of the inner diameter of the rim. The lower the number is, the larger the diameter of the mouthpiece. The letter after the number is generally a relative size of the cup. For most of the small shank mouthpieces this letter is a C. The large shank mouthpieces are generally a G.

Mouthpiece Suggestions -

Bach 12C - This is the standard beginner mouthpiece. It is a relatively small size. This is what almost all beginner trombones come with. After playing awhile, most people will switch to larger pieces. Some jazz artists will play on 12C's but no one that I know of in an orchestra or wind ensemble will play a tenor trombone with a 12C.

Bach 6.5AL - This is a typical mouthpiece to step up to. This is usually the 2nd mouthpiece of trombonists. It is larger than the 12C and also comes in both large and small shanks. Most large bore instruments will come with a 6.5AL as the stock mouthpiece. It is a good mouthpiece to get used to the larger instrument. I would recommend switching to this after about 2-3 years. The larger size will facilitate better tone and more flexibility in most musicians.

Bach 5G - So you've made it to the 6.5AL and are looking for a different mouthpiece. You want something with more room. Maybe you have a.547" bore horn now and are looking for the best mouthpiece for it. The 5G is a standard size for students on large bore horns. It is a mouthpiece with a decent sized cup and rim that allows for a comfortable, full range. Many first trombonists in symphonies use this size piece. It is a very nice all around mouthpiece and I highly recommend it to intermediate players who have been playing on a 6.5AL. After you make it to this piece you should be noticing what you like and don't like in mouthpieces and you should be able to make informed decisions after this point as to what to use.

Bach 1.5G - So now you want to move into bass trombone territory? Bass trombonists use large mouthpieces in order to reach pedal tones with a full sound. The Bach 1.5G is a good first time bass mouthpiece. It's not as massive as a 1G but it gives you plenty of room to work with.

Types of Mouthpieces

As a beginner or intermediate, I would suggest you stick with conventional mouthpieces. That is silver plated brass mouthpieces from a manufacturer such as Bach or Faxx. These will give you the least trouble while you develop your own playing style and preferences. Once you make it to the 5G point you may want to experiment with different materials and shapes. When I bought my first 5G I went with a 5G Megatone because my concept of sound is very warm and focused. Megatones add weight to the mouthpiece and open up the throat which results in less resistance and a change in the timbre. Also you can try other materials. For instance, gold plating on a mouthpiece will often make the rim more slick allowing your lips to move more. Stainless steel has no plating and is more slick than gold. The biggest thing though is trying as many mouthpieces as you can before purchasing when you're ready to start experimenting with different types.

For what its worth, at the time of writing, I play on a Monette TT-4L. This mouthpiece is very heavy, gold plated, and has a very open throat. You can even pass a standard wooden pencil through it!

I'm more than happy to talk with and help people with mouthpiece selection. If you would like more information on any mouthpiece or would like me to make a personalized suggestion for you please contact me through one of the links below or by sending an email to trombone.euphonium@gmail.com.

Bringing Color to Music!

Many of us have had our band directors or orchestra conductors tell us to about the colors of sound music. The technical term for this is timbre (pronounced TAM-ber). However, one company producing mouthpieces in Wisconsin, USA, is taking this phrase literally. Kelly Mouthpieces sells lexan mouthpieces in popular sizes for all brass instruments. These mouthpieces are produced in a wide variety of colors on account of them being plastic. They have everything from wedding white, radical green, crystal clear and even glow-in-the-dark!

In the near future I expect to be receiving a complimentary crystal clear 51D from Kelly mouthpieces. As usual I will do a full review which will be posted about a week after I receive the mouthpiece. In the meantime, here is a video of James Stretton performing Bugler's Holiday by playing 12 parts. Neil Morley is a guest musician for a whopping 2 notes. Stretton plays all of the parts on kelly mouthpieces.

Mouthpiece Materials

Mouthpieces are one of the most personal aspects of equipment for playing trombone and euphonium. Many people often have strong opinions as to what they like and don't like. In this post I will quickly cover the main materials of brass mouthpieces.

By far, the most common mouthpiece material is brass. However, nearly all brass mouthpieces have plating on them.

Silver - Silver plated brass mouthpieces are the most common type of mouthpiece for brass players. Silver is a fairly comfortable metal which is fairly efficient as a conductor so it warms up quickly. On top of all this, silver is not a very expensive metal so plating the mouthpiece doesn't cost that much.

Gold - Gold plated brass mouthpieces are also another option. Gold plated mouthpieces can be fully plated in gold or have only the rim and cup plated in gold. The gold plating does not go directly onto brass, but rather onto a silver plating. Gold feels more slick than silver so your lips will tend to be able to move on the mouthpiece more. Some people like this, others can't stand it. Also gold is one of the most efficient conductors of heat so it warms up very quickly. However, gold is expensive so many times musicians will only have their rim and cup gold plated to save cost.

Stainless Steel - Stainless Steel (SS) mouthpieces have been gaining popularity recently. Stainless steel mouthpieces are more slick than gold plating allowing your lips to move even more on the piece. Also, a mouthpiece from a stainless steel blank has no plating on it, this means  there is nothing to wear off. Also, stainless steel tend to last longer and be more durable than mouthpieces made from brass blanks. Giddings and Webster is probably the largest manufacturer of stainless steel mouthpieces.

Lexan - Lexan is a plastic which some companies use to make mouthpieces. These mouthpieces can be flashy colors and even clear. Kelly Mouthpieces is most well known for these pieces, however Doug Elliot also makes lexan rims for his custom mouthpieces. Lexan is a poor conductor of heat which means that when its cold outside, the mouthpiece won't feel that cold. This makes these pieces a useful piece for outdoor venues such as marching band. However, lexan is not as resonant as metal so the sound will be a bit more dull.

Titanium - This is a rather rare material. Titanium has been experimented with for many years and currently Giddings and Webster is probably the largest manufacturer of these pieces. I have never played on a titanium piece so I cannot speak from personal experience. Titanium is also a very difficult material to work with and as such it is priced high.

Wood - Again, this is a rare material; however, wood mouthpieces have been around for a very long time. Old instruments such as the Alp Horn traditionally use wooden mouthpieces so these have been around for literally hundreds of years. Lignum-tech is about the only manufacturer of wooden mouthpieces specifically for brass instruments that I could find. Again, I have not played on a wooden mouthpiece but I cannot speak from personal experience but some players like the feel of wood.

Hope this helped! Let me know if you have anymore questions!