Someone recently asked what is involved when I do a fitting consultation with a customer. Here are the steps in order, with an explanation of each.
1. Gather information about the player.
Age, how long they have been playing, layoffs. If there are problems with range and endurance ask about medical conditions such as weight loss, serious illness, surgery, diabetes, or dental changes.
2. Gather information about their equipment and reasons for their current gear.
Ask about recent changes in their instrument or mouthpiece, how they chose their current mouthpiece. Some players have gone through a careful selection process, but many use a mouthpiece that was recommended by a teacher, given to them, or that came with a horn. Some choose a mouthpiece based on one characteristic such as comfort or sound without considering overall performance.
3. Find out what they would like to get from a new mouthpiece – identify any challenges and the goals of the switch.
The most common reasons are wanting more range and endurance without sacrificing sound. Some players just want to “upgrade”. Some are seeking help with an embouchure injury or focal dystonia.
4. Identify any mismatch between the player, playing situation, and equipment, and discuss the idea of using the right tool for a specific job.
Some players are well served by one “multitool” mouthpiece that works well in a variety of playing situations, and some would be better served by having different mouthpieces designed for a specific type of playing. Either approach can work well. However, problems often arise when a player has a mismatch between their equipment and the type of playing they do. It is possible to play lead in a big band on a very large, deep mouthpiece, and that might be the ideal tool for some people, but most players would be better served by using something smaller and shallower. I believe in using the best possible tool for the job.
5. Confirm that the current size is an optimal choice or if that is not the case, make suggestions about what might be a better conventional mouthpiece, given their goals.
Some players are using a size that makes sense, and some could do better with an equipment change. The most common problem I see is players who are suffering from the adverse effects of using a mouthpiece that too large for their current situation. That could be a mismatch between equipment and playing situation, but it is usually a mismatch between size and level of a player’s current devilment abilities.
Using a mouthpiece that is too big can lead to bad habits such as using too much mouthpiece pressure and tightening up in the upper register. The result is a degradation in overall sound, and restricted range and endurance. This limits the player’s access to more challenging repertoire and causes discomfort and frustration. It tends to reduce time on the horn. Those things absolutely do not contribute to enjoyment of the instrument, motivation to practice, or development as a player.
There are times when it is appropriate to move to a larger mouthpiece, but I do not adhere the notion that a larger mouthpiece builds strength or promotes development as a player. Those things are achieved through practice, facilitated and encouraged by a mouthpiece size that meets the player where they are so that they can achieve their full potential and then grow beyond it. That means having a well balanced sound throughout the instrument with a range that is appropriate to their level of experience, sound concept, demands of playing, and expectations. Once that has happened it MIGHT be time to move to a larger size, and it might not. But that is the topic of a whole different conversation. To be clear, I am not opposed to large mouthpieces, but I agree with Jens Lindeman on this, that players having difficulties are often using a mouthpiece that is too big.
6. Provide information on the size of a Wedge mouthpiece that is comparable to their current gear.
We are usually about 20 minutes into the conversation before I have said much about Wedge mouthpieces. This is when I generally share for the first time the model of Wedge mouthpiece most like their current equipment. It might not be my recommended size, but it forms the basis for comparison.
7. If applicable, provide suggestions about other, more suitable Wedge options based on their goals or equipment mismatch.
If I think a change in size would be beneficial, we talk about that now, starting with suggestions for non Wedge mouthpieces in case the player decides not to buy a Wedge, or in case the Wedge turns out not to be a good fit. Finally, I suggest which Wedge I think they should try, including a discussion of the different options including materials (brass vs Hybrid) throat size, and an optional angled rim where appropriate.
8. Final comments.
At the end our conversation I tell players that no mouthpiece is magic. It is just a tool. The Wedge might be a better tool for them, and it might not. We have a 90 day return or exchange period, but it does not take 90 days to figure out if the Wedge is a good fit. In most cases it might take 90 minutes. It could take 3-4 days or at the most a week to see the potential in the design. Rarely, I hear from a customer who needed 2 weeks on the Wedge before it worked well for them. I think in most of those cases the player had some bad habit or problem with the formation of their embouchure that the Wedge caused them to fix.
I tell players that most people do not have to change their approach to playing to make the Wedge work, that the mouthpiece is not going to morph into something different over time, and that wishing for a different reality is never the path to happiness. If the Wedge works well for them, I would love to hear about it. If is does not work well I REALLY want to hear about it, because I want to talk them out of the mouthpiece and have then send it back for a refund or an exchange. About 10% of mouthpieces are returned.
So, there you have it. You will notice that I do not usually base decisions on the size of a person’s lips, and I usually do not want to hear them play. I just want to have a conversation that allows me to understand where they are in their journey, their musical goals, and to see if I can help to achieve them.
Dr Dave