Posted by John Swensen on November 10, 2000 at 16:20:15:
In Reply to: Larger mouthpiece extend low-end range?? posted by Harvey on November 10, 2000 at 14:16:31:
A while ago, Joe S. recommended the Marcinkiewicz 1H mouthpiece, which I tried and loved (not the first excellent recommendation from Joe S., by the way). This is my favorite contrabass mouthpiece. Other obvious choices to try are the Conn Helleberg (standard) and the Conn Helleberg 7B. None of these mouthpieces are terribly expensive ($50-60, street price).
At best, a mouthpiece can only help you to play better; you must do most of the work, and it will take time to develop the low range (and even more time to develop the high range). Practice a lot in the low range; use lots of air; buzz a lot on the mouthpiece, as low as you want to play on the horn; listen to great tubists like Gene Pokorny (Chicago Symphony), Warren Deck (New York Philharmonic), Floyd Cooley (San Francisco Symphony), Roger Bobo, Patrick Sheridan and, especially, Arnold Jacobs (Chicago Symphony with either Reiner or Solti conducting), and try to emulate their sound; use warm air (like you are trying to fog a mirror); inhale as freely and as openly as you exhale.