Werner Chr. Schmidt - Mouthpiece Specialist

Mouthpieces for French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba - Brass Instruments: Trumpet, Flugelhorn, French Horn, Trombone, Tenor Horn

The rim

rim shapesRim shapes:

  • flat rim = rim with slightly chamfered edges
  • arched rim  = rim with the edges rounded off
  • round rim = rim with round face

The proper edge contour of a mouthpiece is determined by the lips and the position of the jaw. As a rule, a musician with strong lips can handle a narrow rim with the edges only slightly chamfered. A wider rim with rounded edges is more appropriate for a musician with narrow lips.

A wide, massive rim results in good endurance, but little sensitivity and tends to make the sound hollow. A narrower rim produces greater sensitivity and more precision, but reduces endurance - particularly for players who practise high-pressure blowing.

Good rounding on the inside edge of the rim makes it easier to produce soft slurs but leads to imprecise staccatos and attacks.

A sharp inside edge will generally ease clear attacks but will make for abrupt slurs that are difficult to soften.