Cindy L wrote the following
When students ask me about mouthpieces, I tell them that mouthpieces are like sneakers--they have to fit you. What you find comfortable in a sneaker, I probably would not. A mouthpiece has to fit the player, his mouth, lips, and playing needs.
The relationship between mouthpieces and sneakers has not been emphasized strongly enough on the horn list. However, in the rugged, bruising, cutthroat world of high-performance horn playing, where performers routinely play above the rim, a student can never settle for mere comfort, IMHO. Would Hans "Air"Pizka be able to slam-dunk the Long Call without a mouthpiece that gave him that special edge? Could Barry "Magic" Tuckwell have maintained his high scoring average for so many seasons with routine equipment? I think not!
Modern high-performance mouthpieces have become so sought after that many players result to thievery to obtain one. Meanwhile, many mouthpiece manufacturers have moved their factories abroad, ruthlessly exploiting the downtrodden workers of third world nations, who earn a mere pittance as they slave over their lathes and buffing machines.
Is there a way to stop the abuse of mouthpiece workers? You bet there is! By patronizing only those mouthpiece manufacturers who show adequate concern for their workers and for the environment, we call all make a difference! Just do it!
Gotta go,
Cabbage