Lignum-Tech Mouthpiece Review

Mouthpieces are metal right? Not always. In addition to brass and stainless steel, other materials are being used. Awhile ago I did a review of a lexan mouthpiece from Kelly. Now, I'm pleased to announce this review is of a wooden mouthpiece from Lignum-Tech in Ingersheim, Germany! I received a 5 AL mouthpiece (large shank) in Madagascar Ebony. Lignum-Tech only recently came out with their trombone and euphonium line so its still a little limited size wise but it has very popular sizes that should work for most tenor trombone and euphonium players.

Shipping - I was very impressed with the shipping of this mouthpiece. The box that it came with was very secure. The whole box was almost completely covered in tape which is a very good thing when shipping something like a mouthpiece. Inside the outer box was a smaller, black formal box that fit snuggly in the outer box. And finally, inside this black box was the mouthpiece inside of a soft mouthpiece bag. The whole packaging system was very well thought out and very secure. I find it highly unlikely that the mouthpiece could ever be damaged with his packing system. Also, the shipping was very speedy for coming such a long way.

Shipping rating - 5/5

Design/Comfort - The feel of wood on your chops can be daunting to think about. After all, could you imagine putting one of those woodworking projects you've done on your embouchure and buzzing? Well put those doubts aside, this is the most comfortable mouthpiece I've played on. The wood itself is covered with a high-performance coating from Heyday's (organic anorganic hybrid polymer). The surface is slick, more so than my gold plated mouthpieces. So if you like being able to move your lips around easily, this will be very beneficial for you. The piece is made from a single section of wood and it is all wood. This means that even the shank is wood so I would be more careful than usual inserting and removing the mouthpiece. The material also means that the piece is lightweight and good for extreme temperatures as there wood is less conductive than metal. The Heyday's surface also means that you do not need to do the annual oiling like older wooden mouthpieces do. The mouthpiece itself seems to be very close to the Schilke 52 and Dennis Wick 5AL it is compared to on the website so you can trust all of the comparisons. This is definitely one of my favorite mouthpieces I've played from a  feel and comfort standpoint.


Design/Comfort - 5/5


Tone - Tone and sound are always the most important factor in a mouthpiece because, lets be honest, that is what the audience hears and we are performing to please the audience. As always when you alter the material of a mouthpiece, the sound is also altered. The Lignum-Tech mouthpiece produces a warm, mellow tone. The higher harmonics (overtones) are dampened so do not expect this piece to have a piercing sound. I would definitely use this in most situations for wind bands and especially in small ensembles. Don't expect a powerhouse out of this mouthpiece but do expect a quality, warm tone which is useful for a lot of ensemble playing.


Tone - 4.5/5


Pros

• Warm, mellow sound
• Comfortable in both hot and cold temperatures
• No annual oiling 
• Unique
• Slick feel (some could find this as a con but personally, its a pro)

Cons

• Rather expensive
• Not suitable for when a piercing sound is needed.

Price - 159 Euros (about $230 at the time of writing but this also includes 20% VAT). You can ask for a quote or order here.

Overall - I am very impressed with this Lignum-Tech mouthpiece. It is a very comfortable piece to play on and produces a warm, rich tone. It is simply a beautiful sounding and looking mouthpiece. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a versatile ensemble piece. Lignum-Tech is currently the only wooden mouthpiece manufacturer to my knowledge and quite honestly, I would not want to compete with a product of their caliber. Very well done Lignum-Tech!

Overall - 5/5

Photos

(blurred information for privacy)

Schiller Elite Compensating Euphonium... Price Cut?

So in my review of the Schiller Elite Compensating Euphonium, I listed price as one of the best features of the horn. However, recently I have come across the same horn, bought from the same manufacturer, at an even lower price! Al at Big Bottom Music NW is selling the same horn at $700. Thats $185 lower than what Jim Laabs sells their horn for! If you're looking to buy a Schiller, I'd suggest going through Big Bottom Music NW to get the same horn at an even better price!

Low Brass Forums

Hey guys, so recently, there has been an active, good low brass forum start up. The site is http://lowbrass.org and it is mostly amateurs passing around some advice and personal experiences. Right now, the members are a great set of people I can't wait to see where the site goes. Come join us! My username on the site is EuphBone

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.

10 Trombone Tips

Here are some great tips on how to improve your tone quality and sound on trombone! While most of these tips are fairly widely known, it never hurts to review! Not to mention you might find something out that you hadn't known before, or didn't know the reasoning behind it. These come from Jim Beckel, Principal Trombone, Indianapolis Symphony and Adjunct Professor of Trombone at DePauw University. 


The article can be found here: http://www.depauw.edu/music/resources/tipsfromtheexperts/PDF/TromboneTips-Beckel.pdf


Although these are written for trombone, they apply to euphonium as well so euphonium players should check it out as well!

Phantom Regiment!

Here are some of my favorite videos relating to Phantom Regiment. Phantom Regiment, for those of you who don't know, is a world class Drum and Bugle Corps in Drum Corps International. They are my personal favorite corps as well.

1989 Baritone Solo Champion: James Hosmer playing Carnival of Venice on a two valve G bugle!

Warm-up including half-valving into "Lord's Prayer" from their 2003 show, "Harmonic Journey"

And finally, their 2008 show, "Spartacus" They won the world championships in 2008 with this show!

Review of the Schiller Elite Compensating Euphonium

About two weeks ago I received my Schiller Elite Compensating euphonium from Jim Laabs Music. This was my first euphonium purchase and I only paid $885. Think you can't get a good horn for that little? Read on to find out what I think of this horn.

Big Bottom Music NW has the exact same horn (from the same manufacturer) for less at http://www.bigbottommusicnw.com/.

Specs.
This horn seems to be a copy of the Yamaha YEP-642.

• .590 - .661" Bore
• 11.8" Upright bell
• 3+1 Compensating valve arrangement
• Ubiquitous rose brass leadpipe
• Monel valves
• Large shank

Review

Shipping - This horn was shipped via FedEx in a large box with styrofoam inserts to hold the case (with instrument inside) in place during shipping. Packing job seemed excellent and very safe. I was not automatically provided with a tracking number; however, when I inquired as to if there was one, they emailed me the number within an hour.

Appearance - Well, unfortunately, appearance is something we judge instruments based on. The Schiller has a pretty good appearance in my opinion. I have the lacquer version and the lacquer job seems to be good with only a few minor imperfections. Personally I like the look of the rose brass leadpipe on these horns.

Appearance rating - 4.5/5

How does it play? - The most important aspect of any instrument is its sound. Specifically how easy is it to play and how is the tone? The Schiller surprised me in both areas. With a low price tag I really wasn't expecting a lot out of this horn.  This horn is very open and even the compensating register feels free blowing. The 11.8" bell gives a warm rather diffuse sound to the instrument. The construction of the instrument feels sturdy; however, the horn is light for a compensating euphonium. As such, you can feel the vibrations throughout the horn and occasionally get some vibrating sounds in the horn. After recording, these extra sounds are not loud and are not picked up by the audience. High F# is somewhat problematic and a bit hard to center at first, but it got easier after playing the horn for awhile.

Playability rating - 3.5/5

Valves - Valves are what can differentiate between a good euphonium and a great euphonium. When you first get the horn, the valves are rather noisy and a bit sluggish. I have been being extra nice to them over the past couple of weeks. I've wiped them down and oiled them about every 30-45 min while playing, when I start playing, and When I finished playing. Also, I would squirt a little oil down the leadpipe and blow it through the horn while wiggling my valves. After only two weeks the valves are much more responsive and much quieter. The fourth valve is still a bit noisy but I would expect that to get better with time as well.

Valves - 4/5

Intonation - An area where many Chinese made horns fail is intonation. Lets face it, a horn isn't good unless you can play in tune fairly easily. This horn did great with intonation. All valved notes were very well in tune, even down through the compensating register. open F's seem to be a bit of a problem on this instrument. Third and sixth partial F's were considerably sharp. However, playing these notes with the 4th valve depressed helps a lot. All tuning slides move freely and have good fit on my instrument so getting this tuned up was no problem.

Intonation rating - 3.5/5

Accessories

Mouthpiece - The mouthpiece that this horn is an unidentified mouthpiece which comes with the horn. No size markings are visible but it feels like a 12C. Since this is a large shank/large bore horn this mouthpiece is way too small for this horn. While I did play on the mouthpiece for about ten minutes, it is not something I would recommend using. For my playing on this horn I will mainly be using my Monette Prana TT-4L mostly and maybe my Schilke 51D if I need to.

Mouthpiece rating - 2/5

Case - This euphonium comes with an "enthral" case. Overall, its not a bad case. Its got some fancy backpack straps which take awhile to figure out how to use. A storage compartment on the front (which can't fit oversized music folders). The case does have some wiggle room for the instrument so I may get a new case that is more secure.

Case rating - 3/5

Blue Juice - This is the valve oil that comes with the horn. This is also my personal oil of choice. The oil is very effective and lasts for a decent amount of time. The only downside of the oil is that it has a very pungent smell which some people do not care for.

Microfiber cloths - The horn comes with two microfiber cloths. They work well for cleaning up the horn.

Pros

• Price!
• Good horn for doubling or a back up/outdoor horn
• Much higher quality than other eBay brands
• Packaging was very secure so very minimal risk of damage in transport
• Plays as well as horns costing over twice as much

Cons

• Light weight (may not be as durable)
• Valves aren't great at first
• Stock mouthpiece is all but useless

Price - $885 - Jim Laabs Music
           $700 - Big Bottom Music NW (This is the same horn from the sam manufacturer)

Overall - This is a ton of horn for the money. Can you buy better? Yes. Those of us who occasionally double on euphonium can't justify spending over five thousand dollars on a professional instrument. This horn gives use a great compensating horn that is close to professional quality at less than a thousand dollars. I am very please with my purchase of this horn. This is a suitable horn for a student, however I would be wary of transporting because of the light weight. Also, a teacher should always be consulted before purchasing an instrument for a student. In my, and many others, opinion this horn is definitely worth the money. You would be hard pressed to find a better horn for a price even remotely close to the Schiller.

Overall rating - 4/5

Pictures
Instrument in case

Case

Front of euphonium

Back of euphonium

Close up of valves

Guide to Euphonium Valve Systems (Particularly Compensating Systems)

Ever wondered what exactly a compensating system is on a Euphonium? Ever wondered why certain valve combinations are sharp? Ever wondered how valves work in general?

If you've ever thought about any of these questions, check out the article I wrote on ezinearticles.com. This article covers everything you need to know about euphonium valves and the compensating system!

Steinway and Sons iPod Metronome - Review

Recently, a friend told me about a free iPod metronome app after I was complaining that the one I had been using was not reliable. It frequently skipped and when I tested it with a stopwatch and other metronomes, the time was just plain wrong. The app he recommended I use is a free metronome app from Steinway and Sons (yes, the famous piano maker). Once I downloaded this app and opened it, I could tell that this metronome was not your typical iPod metronome.

Aesthetics - The first thing that struck me about this app was how classy it looked. Now, I know its only a screen but still they put a lot into making this look like a very classy app. If you go to the settings button in the lower right hand corner you can pick the type of wood finish you want! I personally prefer the Macassar Ebony since I've always been partial to dark woods.

Aesthetics rating - 5/5

Accuracy - Lets face it, this is the most important feature of a metronome. If your metronome can't give the correct tempo its of no use to you whatsoever. I have tested this with a stop watch (at tempos of 60, 120, and 180 bpm) and have found it to be accurate for the three minutes I timed it for. I have also tested against other metronomes (online and my Boss TU-80 tuner/metronome) and have found it to be just as accurate.

Accuracy - 5/5

Ease of Use - This metronome has two functions: Manual tempo and Tap tempo. The manual tempo is just like a typical metronome. It has a dial in the center which tells you your current tempo, a start button, a mute button, and a scrolling screen at the top with visual cues. Turning the iPod on its side changes the screen to the full screen scrolling visual cue. The second function is tap tempo. This allows you to click the middle button along with a piece in order to determine the tempo. This feature is very helpful for figuring out what tempo to set the metronome to. It eliminates a lot of trial and error for tempo settings. My only complaint is that the dial is sometimes hard to get to the exact tempo that you want and there is no keypad to type in the tempo.

Ease of Use rating - 4/5

Overall - This has been what I have been searching for! Now I can have a reliable metronome with me wherever I go. It's just as accurate as a typical metronome yet is on my iPod. Both the manual and tap tempos work extremely well and the classy look of this app makes this metronome a joy to use!

Overall - 5/5

Manual tempo screen

Tap Tempo Screen

Scrolling Full Screen

Wood Finish Options

Euphonium, Mouthpieces, and Auditions!

These past few days have been very exciting and very stressful. On thursday, I received my two small shank mouthpieces for my alto trombone. They are a Bach Mt. Vernon 12C and a Bach "Corp." 15C. So far I think I'm liking the 12C more, but I'll do a review and comparison in a week or two once I'm used to them.

On friday, my long awaited Schiller Elite Compensating Euphonium arrived. I only got to play it for about an hour before I needed to switch over to trombone to solidify my audition material. So far though, its a great horn and I love playing it.

Today (Saturday) I have had two auditions. One for All-District band and one for Regional Orchestra. I'm pleased with my All-District audition. I did very well by my standards. However, after a long day of solo playing and trying to stay warm (without completely blowing my chops), my chops did not feel so great during the audition. I cracked a few notes and such. Sightreading was insanely unrealistic for trombone. All wind instruments used the same excerpt and lets just say, I think it was written for flute.

More to come on all three events!

YouTube Videos - 2

Here is one of my favorite brass groups to listen to. Their name is Mnozil Brass and they are a brass septet from Austria. Because I know you'll be wondering, they play on Schagerl instruments. I highly encourage you to look up more videos of them! Oh, and for brass musicians, they're not bad singers either ;)

Øystein Baadsvik is one of the best tuba soloists today. One of his most well known pieces is titled "Fnugg Blue" This is the video of him performing the world premier of it. Baadsvik is accompanied by the Stavanger Brass Band. The technique which he uses extensively is called multiphonics and produced through singing and playing at the same time. He is performing on an F tuba.

Canadian Brass has become a staple in classical music and music theater. Here they show their unique sense of humor and stunning musical abilities through their "Tribute to the Ballet"
The original

And the 2nd

Monette Prana TT-4L - Review

About three weeks ago, I decided (after much thinking) to buy a Monette Prana TT-4L mouthpiece. There is a lot of controversy surrounding these mouthpieces. However, I was coming from a Megatone mouthpiece, so I wanted the extra mass that a Monette standard weight offers. Also, I already played with the postures which the Acclimation Guide suggests.

Shipping/First Impressions - When I received the mouthpiece, the packing job was incredible. The mouthpiece was housed inside a rather large box (for a mouthpiece anyways) with packing peanuts on the inside, and the mouthpiece itself was tightly wrapped in bubble wrap. I was very impressed by the security of the shipping apparatus. The shipping time was also very impressive. Upon taking out the mouthpiece, It is a very different looking mouthpiece. compared to most mouthpieces it is short and wide. Also, because of the extra large throat, it is actually possible for me to drop a pencil though the mouthpiece!

Shipping - 5/5

Design/Size - The mass of this mouthpiece is incredible. I couldn't believe the mass of it the first time I picked it up. I was looking for a mouthpiece that was a bit larger than the 5G I had been using. Switching to the TT-4L is about the equivalent of switching to a Bach 4G. This mouthpiece suits me very well. As noted above, the design is very different than a standard mouthpiece. I find that intonation does slightly improve with this mouthpiece over a standard one. However, 4th line F on my 42BO is still consistently about 10-15 cents sharp. One other thing I have to note on here is the gold plating. I've never played on a gold plated mouthpiece before, but I have found that it gives a surface with which I can improve my lip flexibility and make smoother embouchure adjustments.

Design - 4.5/5

Slotting - Wow! This mouthpiece makes many partials much wider for performers, and therefore allows for better slotting. The pesky 7th partial is much easier using my Monette than any other mouthpiece I've used. However, this is a double edged sword because, should you hit the wrong partial, it takes more work to get back to the right partial.

Slotting - 5/5

Tone - Tone quality on Monettes is an interesting topic. As the performer, the feedback you get seems a bit airy and not as focused. However, set up a mic 20-30 feet away and record yourself and you'll find that the Monette has much more presence and is not airy at all. The sound is actually better at a distance than it is in the performer's ear.

Tone - as performer: 3/5 for listener: 5/5

Pros:

• Tone quality as listener
• Easier slotting
• Dynamics
• Very open feel
• Innovative design

Cons:

• Cost
• Feedback as performer
• Harder to quickly adjust partials if you hit the wrong note

Overview - Monette mouthpieces have a very distinctive and innovative design. They improve tone quality, dynamic range, and intonation for those who have a strong buzz. They cost a lot but think of it this way, reed players spend a ton of money on replacing reeds whereas our mouthpieces last for many, many years if properly taken care of. 

Overall - 4.5/5 (cost is major factor for most)

A note about Monette - Their customer service is simply amazing! I contacted them at probably the busiest time of the year (Christmas) and received speedy, informative, helpful replies. They went above and beyond answering my questions and all responses were written by musicians who truly knew what they were talking about. Great job, Monette!

Here is the Monette TT-4L next to a Bach 5G Megatone and a Bach 6 1/2 AL.

Schiller Euphonium

Today, I ordered my first euphonium. After a lot of research, I decided to order a Schiller Elite Compensating Euphonium for the cost of $885 plus shipping. I was very hesitant to order a chinese made euphonium (as any true musician should be) but this thread convinced me that this was the euphonium for me. I'll be using it fairly often for small ensemble performances and solos. I am very excited for this instrument to enter my arsenal, which currently only consists of trombones. I plan on using my Monette Prana TT-4L mouthpiece with it, but I will decide that when I recieve it. I will do a review of it after I recieve it and have the chance to test it out.

I have purchased this euphonium and done a full review here. Please check it out to see my thoughts and advice about this particular instrument.