[Dixielandjazz] Re: Hedges' Mouthpiece

[Edgerton, Paul A]

>>> Bob, what mouthpiece does Chuck Hedges use?
>> 
>> Sorry I can't help you, Joe. I've never asked him
>> because mouthpieces are such personal things -- 
>> what's good for him wouldn't necessarily be good for 
>> me. If my memory doesn't fail me, though, I 
>> distinctly remember him using a crystal one.
> 
> Why is what mouthpiece you play a personal matter? I'm
> more than willing to tell a fellow trumpet player what
> type of mouthpiece I am using. Now, letting someone
> PLAY a horn with my mouthpiece is a different story
> 'cause I don't know where he/she last put their lips.

I think Bob means most players choose a mouthpiece based on personal
preferences. Personal in the sense that what I like may not work well for
you. 

For example some clarinet players prefer a more "legit" setup with a stable,
close facing and a very hard reed. This gives a lot of resistance, something
to blow against, but doesn't allow you to put a lot of air into the horn.
Others prefer a more open, flexible mouthpiece with a softer reed. The
tradeoff is stability vs. flexibility and quality vs. quantity of sound.

What makes this so personal is that some guys learn to play very powerfully
on the "legit" setup, while others learn to control the "jazz" setup. In the
end, it comes down to personal preference and not some hard-and-fast rule.

Paul Edgerton, who'd rather not say -- It's personal!