5 Best Trumpet Mouthpieces to Upgrade Your Instrument’s Sound

The trumpet is a popular brass instrument that can produce rich and inspiring sounds. Unlike other musical instruments that require a power cord or an amp to play, the trumpet can be played without electricity. Also, it is lightweight and easy to carry. To ensure that it produces premium-quality sound, you have to use a high-quality mouthpiece. The job of the mouthpiece isn’t just to make playing the instrument easier; it also helps to improve its sound quality and overall performance.

Finding the best trumpet mouthpiece on the market is no easy business, as there are different models with unique features. To help make your shopping more comfortable, we considered essential features like cup size, backbore, throat, rim, warranty, material, and finishing, as they affect the tonality and the performance of the instrument.

To ensure that our guide is comprehensive, we spend countless hours doing in-depth research, consulted experts’ players who have been using the instrument for years, and went through hundreds of reviews on reputable sites to learn as much as we can about the instrument. Our guide starts with a comparison table that shows the rating of each product. The next section is a detailed description of each product and its pros and cons. The last section is a comprehensive buying guide that contains everything you need to narrow down the best trumpet mouth piece on the market.

Top 5 Trumpet Mouthpieces Review 2024

Benefits of having an upgraded trumpet mouthpiece

When you are just starting, you may not see the need to upgrade your mouthpiece, as it is a small part of the instrument. You may not see how it affects the tonality and performance of the instrument. But as you get better, the scales of ignorance will fall out of your eyes, and you will get a firm grasp of the importance of a high-quality mouthpiece. Below are some benefits you will enjoy when you opt for a top-notch mouthpiece.

High-quality sound- With a premium quality mouthpiece, you will be able to make beautiful sounds that can fit in with different genres of music. Even more, it will help you produce bright and consistent tones.

Speed your learning curve- Granted, you are not going to become an elite player overnight, but when you invest in a high-quality mouthpiece, you are likely going to learn quicker.

Easy to play- See, you don’t have to blow your heart out to produce beautiful music. Using a high-quality mouthpiece like the Selmer Bach K3513C or the Yamaha Trumpet Mouthpiece YAC TR14A4A-HGPR will make it super easy for you to play for an extended period without stressing yourself out.

Trumpet mouthpiece practice tips

The path to becoming a professional trumpet player is a difficult one. But if you are dedicated, consistent, ready to learn, practice endlessly, and have a high-quality mouthpiece, you are going to become a better player in no time. To get the most out of a trumpet mouthpiece, you have to learn how to use it correctly. The following video contains some helpful tips that will give you insights on how to use it to produce more vibrant sounds without stressing yourself out.

Money sound

The importance of investing in a top-notch trumpet mouthpiece cannot be overemphasized, especially if you want to be a better player quicker. But this does not mean that you should buy the most expensive mouthpiece on the market so you could play better, especially if you are starting.

If you are new to the instrument, then you should opt for a reasonably expensive or budget-friendly model like the Selmer Trumpet Mouthpiece 3511C. However, if you are a professional player looking to improving your skill and upping your game, then you should invest in premium quality trumpet mouthpieces like the Yamaha Trumpet Mouthpiece YAC TR14A4A-HGPR, or the Selmer Bach K3513C. Yes, high-end mouthpieces like these two will cost you close to a hundred bucks, but they will go a long way in improving your skill level.

Features to consider while buying the best trumpet mouthpiece

As with any instrument, there are a couple of features you must pay careful attention to before making a purchase. Trumpet mouthpieces are no exception, as their performance and sound quality is affected by a few key features. Here, we will be looking at some of them to help you understand why they are essential and how they affect the instrument.

Cup size

The cup is the area you blow into. A mouthpiece with a large and deep cup has a higher volume and can produce darker tones. Before you opt for a mouthpiece with a large cup, you need to keep in mind that they are usually challenging to control and can tire you out in no time. On the other hand, mouthpieces with a shallower and smaller cup can produce bright tones and are highly responsive and very easy to control. But they aren’t loud but can produce darker tones.

When choosing cup depth, two critical things must come to your mind. The first one is your skill level. The second is the pitch of the instrument.

It is also a good idea to consider the diameter of the instrument. Most players opt for mouthpieces with a large diameter so that they can play comfortably. It produces a uniform response and increases flexibility.

Backbore

This is a special chamber that is designed to transfer your breath to the horn. Its size and shape can produce a lower or higher pitch. A well-made backbore will go a long way in helping you maintain excellent intonation. Presently, there are trumpet mouthpieces with different types of backbore, but the best and most famous of them is the one that is of average size, with a slightly curved tapper from the throat area.

Rim

This is the round edge of the trumpet mouthpiece that you place your lips against when you play. Whether you are going for a high-end mouthpiece like the Selmer Bach K3513C or a budget friendly model like the Selmer Trumpet Mouthpiece 3511C, it is important that you pay close attention to its rim.

Yes, the rim is a small part of the instrument, but it can affect your playing experience significantly. When you opt for a well-made mouthpiece, which has a rim with a fairy flat contour, you will enjoy superior comfort when you play. The only issue with it is that it offers very little flexibility. Round rim mouthpieces, on the other hand, are very flexible and comfortable to use.

Throat

The throat is a vital part of the trumpet mouthpiece. It is the opening leading out of the cup and is designed to allow users to push air from the cup to the stream.

A mouthpiece with a petite throat will be difficult to use, as it will produce more backpressure.  Trumpet mouthpieces with a big throat, on the other hand, are more comfortable to use as they allow users to blow harder, thus creating more volume. Keep in mind that, to produce more volume, you will have to increase the air pressure from your lungs.

Material and finish

This is a significant feature you should consider, regardless of the model you are opting for, as it can affect how long it will last. The most standard and high-end mouthpiece on the market are made of brass and then coated with either gold or silver. Of course, there are cheap models made of plastic. But it isn’t wise to opt for them as they are fragile and can break easily.

Your playing level

See, you don’t need to invest in a super expensive mouthpiece to play better, especially if you are new to the instrument. Budget-friendly mouthpiece models are the best option for greenhorn players looking to improving their skills. If you are a professional player or play for specific sounds like jazz, then you should opt for a high-quality model like the Selmer Bach K3513C or the Yamaha Trumpet Mouthpiece YAC TR14A4A-HGPR. Investing in a low-quality mouthpiece, to save cost, is not a smart move, as it may fall apart after a while. Also, it may not be able to produce rich sounds.

Style

Since no two trumpet mouthpiece on the market is made completely the same, it is important that you do in-depth and extensive research before making a final decision. It is also important that you pay close attention to your playing style, and the type of trumpet you are using before making a purchase. If you own a piccolo trumpet, for example, then you should opt for a mouthpiece that is explicitly designed for it, like the Yamaha Trumpet Mouthpiece YAC TR14A4A-HGPRl. 

Warranty

While you have the freedom to purchase any mouthpiece, it is wise you only opt for models that are guarantee protected. This way, you will be protected if the mouthpiece is faulty, or have some issues.

Feel free to add something you think is important and relevant, and please mention some of the products reviewed as examples in the buying guide, where appropriate.

FAQ

Our Verdict

While we were impressed with all the trumpet mouthpieces reviewed in this article, here are our top 3 picks.

The Selmer Bach K3513C, our editor’s choice, took the first spot on our list. Its stunning design, superb finishing, and out of this world performance make it a must-have for serious players looking to taking their skill to the next level.

Our second-best pick, the Yamaha Trumpet Mouthpiece YAC TR14A4A-HGPR is a stunning and sturdy mouthpiece that has a luxurious look. Its striking features, elaborate design, and sturdy construction make it one of the best trumpet mouthpieces on the market.

Our third best pick, the Selmer Trumpet Mouthpiece 3511C is a budget-friendly mouthpiece that is lightweight and has a lot of impressive features. So, if you are on a budget, this mouthpiece will be useful for you.

We hope that our guide arms you with the intricate information you need to narrow down the best trumpet mouthpiece on the market that will suit your needs and preferences.