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How to Adjust a Mouth Piece

Musicians must adjust their mouthpieces correctly to ensure a good fit with the instrument. There are different methods for adjusting mouthpieces on brass and woodwind instruments. Depending on the type of instrument you play, there is a simple way to tell if you have created a secure fit with your instrument. Fitting a mouthpiece should only take a few seconds, if done correctly. Improper fitting of a mouthpiece will result in leaked air, and the mouthpiece could potentially fall out of the horn.

Instructions

  1. Woodwinds

    • 1

      Place the mouthpiece over the cork on the end of the instrument.

    • 2

      Push the mouthpiece onto the end of the woodwind instrument gently, with the reed part of the mouthpiece facing at a 45-degree angle from the floor.

    • 3

      Twist and push the mouthpiece onto the neck of the instrument, turning the mouthpiece until the reed is parallel to the floor, when the instrument is in playing position.

    Brass

    • 4

      Hold the mouthpiece by the rim and place the pipe on the end of the instrument inside the lead-pipe of the horn.

    • 5

      Twist the mouthpiece to the left while you push it into the horn.

    • 6

      Check the mouthpiece fit by gently pulling out to see if the mouthpiece falls off. If it does, you need to return to Steps 1 and 2 and use more force.

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