The purpose of this study was to present a comprehensive analysis of the acoustical properties of the trumpet mouthpiece. The first section will be concerned with the individual parts of the mouthpiece and their interrelationship. The second portion of the study will be the physical analysis of three commonly used trumpet mouthpieces. For this study, five examples of each size have been selected. The third section will present a tonal analysis of the selected mouthpieces. These investigative procedures will attempt to recognize any relationships between the individual mouthpieces and the resulting tones.

It is the intent of this study to describe the harmonic activity that is present in the tone of the alto saxophone and to compare the spectra of selected tones when the chamber of the mouthpiece is changed in size and shape. It is hoped that the following questions might be answered: 1. What does the harmonic spectrum of the alto saxophone contain in terms of harmonic activity and the relative intensities of these harmonics? 2. What basic changes in chamber shape and size have evolved from early models? 3. Is there an appreciable change in the envelope of harmonic activity when the mouthpiece chamber is altered in size and shape? 4. Is it possible for these changes to be used to explain common terminology of the musician in describing tone qualities?

Thesis (M.A.). / Written for the Music Technology Area, Department of Theory, Schulich School of Music. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2008/05/12). Includes bibliographical references.

Although traditional methods of teaching brass embouchure tend to favor a more centered mouthpiece placement, individual differences in facial structure may make a centered placement inefficient for many individuals. Thirty-four test subjects (N = 34) who volunteered from a mid-sized, Midwestern university school of music, a mid-sized Midwestern high school, and professional and semiprofessional trombonists from around a Midwestern state were tested for an efficient embouchure and then photographed while playing specific pitches into a transparent plastic mouthpiece. Additionally, each subject filled out a brief survey and had various facial characteristics photographed. Statistics from this data suggest that the three basic types defined by Doug Elliott, Very High Placement Type, Medium High Placement Type, and Very Low Placement Type, are accurate. Evidence also suggested that airstream direction and the use of an embouchure motion is dependant on vertical mouthpiece placement. The angle of the airstream also changes according to the register being played. It was also determined that certain physical characteristics, most notably lip protrusion, suggested that a subject will play with a specific mouthpiece placement. / School of Music

Embouchure dysfunctions, including those from acute injury to the obicularis oris muscle, represent potential and serious occupational health problems for trumpeters. Forces generated between the mouthpiece and lips, generally a result of how a trumpeter plays, are believed to be the origin for such problems. In response to insights gained from new technologies that are currently being used to measure mouthpiece forces, belief systems and teaching methodologies may need to change in order to resolve possible conflicting terminology, pedagogical instructions, and performance advice. As a basis for such change, the purpose of this study was to investigate, develop and propose an operational definition of mouthpiece forces applicable to trumpet pedagogy. The methodology for this study included an analysis of writings by selected brass pedagogues regarding mouthpiece force. Finding were extracted, compared, and contrasted with scientifically derived mouthpiece force concepts developed from scientific studies including one done at the UNT Texas Center for Music & Medicine. Results characterized five mouthpiece force principles as the basis for an operational definition of mouthpiece force. This definition recognizes the relationships between average mouthpiece force and mouthpiece force variability. Mouthpiece force principles as presented in this study may contribute to a better understanding of mouthpiece force and its link to lip related injuries. However, additional studies are needed to better understanding the relationships between how the trumpet is taught and learned and the resulting mouthpiece forces produced when playing the trumpet.