Reviews for SM series mouthpieces

Mouthpiece Reviews - what they're saying about the SM series mouthpieces:

Hands down, your mouthpieces have always been the very obvious choice

I have been playing an SM3.5 on a large bore instrument for the last four years, and couldn't be happier with it. Recently, having changed from a Yamaha 642 to a Prestige, I was without an instrument for a month and had to borrow an instrument from the band. Since the loaner was a small bore Yamaha 321, I couldn't use my usual mouthpiece and, having recently given my small shank SM4 test mouthpiece to a student, had to make do with some small shank trombone mouthpieces I had around the house - Bach 6-1/2, Schilke 51B etc. I was frustrated and upset, and thought the poor results were all due to the instrument that I had - tiny tight sound, poor intonation and rigid nuance and flexibility.

Last weekend, a student lent me his small shank SM4B, and it made a HUGE difference. It was like watching the sun come out after a rain storm - suddenly the instrument felt "right". The overall intonation was much improved and inherent defects were much more manageable. The sound was fuller and more stable in both the high and low registers, and dynamics, vibrato and articulation were much more flexible. Playing was once again a pleasure, - all thanks to the mouthpiece.

Several of my students play your mouthpiece on similar instruments, and they have all experienced the same leap of quality when they started playing with the new MP. I don't like to force students to play a particular mouthpiece, so usually we take some time testing mouthpieces and comparing your mouthpieces with whatever the student was using before. Hands down, your mouthpieces have always been the very obvious choice, and now that I've gone through the experience again myself, I can reaffirm that your SM mouthpieces are an excellent choice for both small and large bore euphs, in both piston and rotary valve models.

Thanks for your continuing research and for making these mouthpieces available through the website.

Emily Harris, Euphonium freelancer and brass teacher in Trentino, Italy

The most comfortable mouthpiece I have ever played

Just wanted to comment again on the SM3. Over the holidays I had time for serious practicing. Ha! No, I do play every day, but man was it great to have the entire day for most of the vacation. Anyway I'm really amazed with the mouthpiece. Just for the heck of it, I saw my 51D sitting on a desk at home, picked it up, blew one note and couldn't believe the difference. It felt like a knife on the lips. The best way I can describe the SM3, is that it feels soft on the lips. The most comfortable mouthpiece I have ever played on. Okay, I've said enough. By the way, your CD's are absolutely inspiring. Thanks for what you do.

Larry Weber, USA

Because of your mouthpiece, I sound better

I ordered 2 of your mouthpieces to try on my Yamaha 842 euphonium. The first one was an SM2 and the latest one is now the SM4 on advice from my teacher. Before I tell you the results, my story will be of interest to you.I started playing euphonium at 6 years of age.

After High School I was principal euphonium soloist with the Marine Corps Band in Quantico Virginia. It has been 24 years since I have played my euphonium. I just bought this Yamaha (because I cannot find a good Besson here) and I started playing again. In just 2 weeks I can now play for 3 hours a day and please believe the following statement:

BECAUSE OF YOUR MOUTHPIECE I SOUND BETTER AFTER NOT PLAYING FOR 24 YEARS THAN I DID WHEN I WAS PLAYING IN THE MARINE CORPS BAND!

Now, that is the honest truth. Your mouthpieces, the SM4 especially, fits my horn perfectly and I am absolutely amazed at how well it is suited to the euphonium player.

I used to play a Schilke 58 in my Besson and then a Bach 1 1/2G.I just cannot tell you how thankful I am to you for two reasons:

Not only are you a great euphonium player, you are a great mouthpiece maker.

The reason I started playing again, is because I heard a CD of you playing with the Breeze Brass Band and something just made me want to start playing again. I am now so happy I started playing again! Thank you so much for all you have done for me. I am now 44 years old and plan on making up for some lost time.

Martin A. Richling USA

absolutely love it!

Steven, I contacted you several weeks ago and asked what kind of mouthpiece you would recommend for my new Yamaha 321S. I'm almost 65 years old and started playing again about 3 years ago after a 40 year break. I was using a Bach 6.5 AL, and you recommended an SMB4, which I ordered through euphonium.net online sales. I've been playing with it for a little over a week and absolutely love it. It seems that every aspect of my playing has improved, and in particular I get a much better tone (actually a better sound). So, I just wanted to sincerely say "thank you" for your help.

Larry Lane, Mississippi State University

I love my new SM4!

During rehearsal last night I decided that I would have to send you a note letting you know how much I love my new SM4! I received it for Christmas (Never think that incessant hint dropping won’t work) and am amazed at the change in my playing.

I have been playing on a Schilke 52D for almost 30 years, a scary thought by itself, but I have seen more and more of the members of Motor City Brass Band switching to the Dennis Wick mouthpieces. There have been a couple of issues with my playing that I had been fighting with, and thought that maybe a change was the answer. WOW!!! My intonation is significantly better and I can’t believe how both my tone and lip slurs have improved. Now if only I could find a similar answer for technique, but I will likely have to return to the practice room for that.

Thanks for your work on the production of this mouthpiece.

Mark Stephens - Chairman, Board of Directors, Motor City Brass Band

Steven, I just purchased an SM3.5

...and thought I would drop you a line with my impression of it - FABULOUS!!!

I began playing euph in high school many many many years ago. I had a Besson 3 valve and used a Bach 6-1/2AL mouthpiece that I played trombone with. I continued with this mouthpiece through college where my major instrument was euph. I upgraded my instrument, but not my mouthpiece. At the time I also played bass trombone with a Bach 3G. For many years I played trombone in a church orchestra, using the 6-1/2 & the 3G as I was switching between 1st and bass trombone constantly. I did not return to the euphonium (my greatest love) until about 4 years ago. I play in a community band now along with my church work. I went back to the 6-1/2 and at the same time stopped playing trombone completely. I wasn't satisfied with the tone or response I was getting in band, as the music covers a broad range of styles and upper and lower registers. I began using the 3G, and was pleased with the tone, but the response and the upper register where not to my liking. I did a lot of research on mouthpieces and what individual top players were using. I decided to try the SM3.5. I got it this past Saturday and only got to play about 15 minutes. Last night (Monday) was our band rehearsal and I always get a good workout there. The first piece we ran through was Holst Second Suite in F. Since I am the only euph in the band, I get all the solos, solis, divisi, and anything else in the parts. I had been having trouble with the high F and G on the solo in the first movement. Last night I soared right through them. What a wonderful experience. The response if great, tone is so much better, and articulations are far easier. I congratulate you and Denis Wicke on developing a truly great mouthpiece, and especially one the is so well matched to the Besson euphoniums.

- Frank Hall, Amarillo, Tx

I wish I had done this before

Don't know if you remember me, but I purchased several of your mouthpieces directly from you. I live in the United States and play euphonium in The Allentown Band (America's Oldest since 1828). I very recently switched from playing the SM4 to the larger SM3. I was hesitant to do so for quite some time because I thought the SM3 would be too big, but with practice and a bit of perseverance I have grown into it. My high range is much clearer and pleasant sounding, I am able to play very loud and very soft with clarity, and my overall tone has improved. I wish I had done this before now, but there seems to be a prevalent line of thinking in the U.S. (even among some professionals) that encourages the use of small mouthpieces. To be perfectly honest with you, the SM4 was smothering my sound and hindering my musical development. I believe many others are at this stage, and are afraid to take the next step (to a larger mouthpiece). That would be a subject worth mentioning sometime on your website & may result in other stories such as mine as well as an increase in the sale of your wonderful mouthpieces!

Kindest Regards,
Clearnce Weber, Euphonium, The Allentown Band, USA

A Million Dollars!

Just wanted to let you know that after a year of asking, Boosey & Hawkes has finally floated me a set of Steven Mead euphonium mouthpieces. I really love the SM3 and am using it. Several of my students have also glomed-on to them with great success. With each student who has tried one of the mouthpieces at this point, I (and they) notice immediate improvement in sound, ease in the lower register, and cleaner articulation. You should be selling the things for a million dollars each!

Skip Gray, President ITEA, Professor of Music, Performance Studio of Tuba and Euphonium
School of Music, University of Kentucky