The Best Trumpet Mouthpieces

Buying Guide for Trumpet Mouthpieces

Why buy a trumpet mouthpiece?

Whether you’re just starting out or are an experienced trumpet player, the mouthpiece is a small but key part of the instrument. This little cup-shaped piece creates a vibration between your lips when you blow into it, which creates a sort of buzzing sound. The mouthpiece also causes this buzzing sound to travel down into the neck of the trumpet and become amplified in the instrument’s pipes and bell. Basically, without the mouthpiece, the trumpet isn’t going to make the sorts of sound it’s supposed to. Besides this very important factor, the mouthpiece also helps to keep your lips in place as you’re playing, which leads to a more consistent, constant sound. The size of the mouthpiece, both the rim and cup, also impacts the tone that the trumpet emits. So if you want a darker, deeper tone or a lighter, brighter one, picking the right mouthpiece is key.

What should you look for in trumpet mouthpieces?

• Rim: The size and shape of the trumpet’s rim will have an impact on your own comfort while practicing and playing, so you’ll want to pick one that best suits your personal needs. If you want better endurance while playing your trumpet, look for a wider rim. A narrow rim, on the other hand, will give you greater flexibility. A rounder, U-shaped rim is going to be more comfortable, while a sharper V-shaped one will be more precise. U-shaped rims make brighter, higher tones while V-shaped rims are better for musicians who like lower, darker sounds. The ideal rim shape for your needs is going to depend on your personal preference and the size and shape of your lips.
• Cup Size: The diameter and depth of the cup are also important when picking a trumpet mouthpiece. The bigger the cup, in both diameter and depth, the darker and louder the sounds that the mouthpiece will create when blown into; smaller and shorter mouthpieces will make brighter, lighter, softer sounds. Trumpet cup size is listed by both letters A through F and numbers 1-20; the number marks the diameter of the cup, while the letters indicate the depth. An A cup is the deepest, while an F cup is the shallowest. Thus a 3C mouthpiece would be fairly small in diameter and medium-size in depth. Larger cups will provide greater control, and a smaller one will provide better relief from fatigue. In general, shallower cups are considered better for jazz music and solos, while deeper ones are better for trumpets in orchestras.
• Material: Even though trumpets are instruments in the brass family, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your mouthpiece will be made from brass. Stainless steel, titanium, silver, and even plastic mouthpiece are all common choices as well. That said, brass is usually considered the best choice since most trumpets are made from brass, so you know it’ll provide a nice sound and match your instrument. Stainless steel mouthpieces are great because they’re durable and naturally resistant to staining and rusting. Titanium is stable, makes a brighter sound, and is a nice alternative for anyone who is sensitive to certain metals. Silver is a good choice if you want a darker, lower sound. Plastic mouthpieces will never rust and offer better color options and customization, but they don’t provide as optimal sounds as metal mouthpieces.

What’s the best trumpet mouthpiece for beginners?

If you’re just starting to learn to play the trumpet, you’ll probably want a 7C mouthpiece to start. This mouthpiece size offers a nice middle ground in terms of both the rim and cup size. Thus they’re more versatile than shallower or deeper mouthpieces; they’ll suit pretty much any scenario and music type, whether you’re playing a jazz solo, in an orchestra, or in a marching band. If you don’t find a 7C mouthpiece comfortable, a 3C or 5C mouthpiece will generally work well for beginners, too. 3C in particular is a fairly general-sized and shaped mouthpiece that suits most performance and practice scenarios. Once you’ve got more experience under your belt, you can start experimenting with different shapes, sizes, and tones to find what sound, size, and shape fits you best.

Our Picks for the Smoothest-Sounding Trumpet Mouthpieces

Pros: 7C trumpet mouthpieces are known for being beginner-friendly, and you can’t go wrong with this affordable model. It’s well-suited for novice trumpeters of all ages. Players who like a mid-sized mouthpiece will benefit from it, especially since it’s compatible with pretty much all the common trumpet brands. It’s made of real brass yet comes with a reasonable price tag, and it’s available in two alternate sizes.

Cons: Though this mouthpiece is real brass, it’s silver-plated rather than the gold that most trumpets are known for, and there aren’t any other color options. So if you have a more traditional brass-colored trumpet, this mouthpiece won’t match.

Bottom Line: This is an excellent mouthpiece for beginners—young children and adults alike. It’s polished, durable, and easy to keep clean, so you can’t go wrong with this trumpet mouthpiece, especially if you’re just starting to learn to play.

 

Pros: You get a three-for-one value with this set of trumpet mouthpieces. Each comes in a different size (7C, 5C, and 3C). This allows you to have two spares on hand but to experiment with various cup and rim sizes to figure out which one you like best. A cleaning cloth also comes included with your purchase. All the mouthpieces are made of real brass, regardless of color or size. They’re compatible with most standard trumpet brands, and you can buy this mouthpiece in a single 3C or 5C size if you decide you don’t want a set of three.

Cons: Though they’re durable in most ways, thanks to their metal construction, the colored plating on these mouthpieces may wear off or rub off over time. This is especially more likely to happen around the mouth due to constant contact with saliva and moisture.

Bottom Line: If you want to get the best possible value for your money, this set of trumpet mouthpieces is the best way to go. You get three pieces in the color of your choice and in different sizes, so you can test out different cup sizes or have alternatives at the ready as you become a more advanced player.

 

Pros: Trumpet mouthpieces with a medium-sized depth and cup are known for their ability to clearly reach a wide range of different notes and tones, and this premium model is no exception. Trumpets aren’t instruments typically associated with high notes the way flutes are, but you’ll be able to smoothly hit high and low notes with this mouthpiece. It’ll hit upper and lower registers alike, making it an ideal piece for intermediate and advanced players. It can also be bought in tandem with a similar 5C mouthpiece, valve oil for cleaning, or a technical studies book for guidance.

Cons: Paying more money for higher quality is often the case with premium products, music-related or not, and this mouthpiece is no exception. It’s quite a bit more expensive than other individual pieces cost. It’s also only available in a silver brass color, so it won’t blend seamlessly with classic golden-colored trumpets.

Bottom Line: If you’re in the market for a medium-sized trumpet mouthpiece, this model from a trusted brand is an excellent bet. The price tag may be a bit higher than many similar models, but you know you’re getting good quality and a wide range for your money.

 

Pros: If you prefer to play your trumpet with a shallower mouthpiece, this high-quality model from a trusted brand is one of the best on the market. It features a shallower cup and a narrow backbone, allowing it to reach higher notes than most mouthpieces can. You’ll be able to play at higher registers for longer once you’ve attached this mouthpiece to your trumpet. This makes it a valuable piece for soloists, especially highly experienced ones. The extra-thick plating also helps to keep the silver coloring from wearing off over time, and it’s compatible with all standard and well-known trumpet brands and models.

Cons: The shallow cup creates greater air resistance than medium-sized or deeper ones, which makes it harder to draw noise from. Thus this isn’t a particularly beginner-friendly mouthpiece. It’s also only available with silver plating.

Bottom Line: This is a great trumpet mouthpiece for solo artists, especially those with more trumpet playing experience. The higher resistance, while an additional challenge in many ways, will also help you to increase your playing endurance and stamina.

 

Pros: This trumpet comes in a wide range of different sizes and colors, more than those of many similar models. It’s available in silver, gold, or richer gold plating and in 1C, 3C, 5C, or 7C sizes. Regardless of size and color, this mouthpiece is designed to hit darker, richer tones, which makes it an ideal choice for jazz musicians in particular. It’ll fit most standard trumpets without issue. The price is quite reasonable for what you’re receiving, especially since it comes with a durable storage box to keep it safe when not in use.

Cons: The plating of this mouthpiece, especially the gold-colored ones, is prone to wear off over time. Most of the sizes are a bit challenging to draw sound from for inexperienced players, so it’s not the most beginner-friendly option either.

Bottom Line: Finding a trumpet mouthpiece in the right size for you that also happens to perfectly match the color of your instrument isn’t an easy task, especially if you don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for it. This mouthpiece is not only reasonably priced but available in a good range of sizes and colors to fit onto pretty much any trumpet.

Final Thoughts

The mouthpiece is an important part of the trumpet, one that is necessary for the trumpet to function and sound the way it’s supposed to. The size, shape, and material of the mouthpiece will also impact the tone, pitch, and volume that the trumpet makes when it’s being played, so picking the right one will have a surprisingly large impact on your music, no matter how experienced or inexperienced you might be.