Similar to what happens on other instruments’ mouthpieces, tuba mouthpiece sizes and dimensions can affect the instrument’s sound. And such is related to the distinct forms and sizes of the different parts of a mouthpiece, namely the cup, throat, rim, and backbore.
Tuba mouthpieces come in many different sizes, with the size often denoted by a number.
This article will explain what to consider when choosing tuba mouthpiece sizes.
What Size Tuba Mouthpiece Should I Get?
Many factors determine which size you need such as:
- the type of music you play
- where you play it
- the sound you are willing to achieve
- what’s most comfortable for you to use.
In any case, and if you are not sure about what to get or what you are willing to achieve in terms of sound, always try different mouthpiece sizes until you can find the right fit.
To find the perfect size for you, try out various instruments at stores or online and see which one suits your needs best. If you don’t have access to a store, it’s usually a good idea to purchase something in the middle range for most tuba players because these sizes are likely to suit many different instruments.
Depending on Its Various Parts and the Sound Your Are Willing to Perform with the Tuba
The sizing of tuba mouthpieces and the different dimensions and forms of their various parts will affect how your instrument sounds:
Cup
The volume of the cup, diameter, profile, and depth, affects the sound intensity; Brighter tones can be achieved with shallower and smaller cups, and on the other extreme, larger cup mouthpieces will provide richer and darker tones.
Rim
Generally, for rims, you should look for strength and flexibility, but primarily on how comfortable it feels
If you are looking for more precise sounds, then you should look for narrow and sharper rims. They tend to lead to a lack of resistance. On contrary, if are willing to play for a longer time, then look for round and wider mouthpieces as they are more comfortable to play with. However, those might lack agility, and could be of insufficient tone production.
Throat
Larger Throats increase the volume and the tone. Also increases the blowing freedom and sharpens the higher register. Smaller Throats increase the brilliance of the sound, the endurance, and the air resistance, flattening high register
Shank
The shank is the lengthy portion of the mouthpiece that fits into the instrument receiver. Unlike the other specs defined just above, which vary based upon player choice, shank size is pre-determined by the instrument (though physical adjustments can be made).
Backbores
Wider backbores produce greater sound volume and make it easier to achieve the lower register and they have less resistance. For tighter backbores, expect brighter sounds, good support for higher resistance, and an increase in airflow resistance.
If you are still unsure of what to get, then a medium-sized tuba mouthpiece might be your best option. It allows you to perform in the middle range in terms of sounds, neither too low nor too high.
Tuba Mouthpieces Sizing for Beginners
Generally, if you’re brand-new to playing the tuba or are purchasing a tuba for your student child, then it’s better suggested, to begin with, a small cupped mouthpiece. Because it’s smaller-sized in nature and less complicated to create sound, it’s a suitable choice for those who don’t have a great deal of experience.
On the contrary, if you have experience playing an additional brass instrument or have actually been playing the tuba for a while, it may be much easier for you to experiment with a larger cup.
There are two different designs of tuba mouthpieces. Students often tend to discover that they play much better on one style or the other.
Student Mouthpiece Models Suggestions
Below are some mouthpieces that could be a good start for beginner tuba players, divided between different sizes:
Larger Sizes Student Mouthpiece Models:
- Perantucci 48 (resource link)
- Perantucci 50 (resource link)
Standard Sizes Student Mouthpiece Models:
- Yamaha 66
- Schilke Helleburg
- Denis Wick 3
- Conn Helleberg
- Bach 7 (resource)
The Bach 7 is a mouthpiece style that has a bowl-designed cup as well as is larger around the rim. The Conn Helleburg is a mouthpiece that has a channel-designed cup and is narrower around the rim. Both are great mouthpieces for a tuba beginner player; one fits some learners better than the others. It is a great concept to attempt both as well as see which design is the most effective option for you.
Smaller Sizes Student Mouthpiece Models:
- Bach 12
- Yamaha 68B
- Yamaha 67C4
The Bach 18 and Yamaha 67C4 are popular dimensions, however on the smaller-sized side. They are great dimensions, but students typically do also or better on a Bach 7 or Conn Helleburg. They will certainly often advance that size as they get older unless they relocate to something larger. You would assume the tuba would certainly be less complicated to have fun with a smaller-sized mouthpiece, yet commonly it is not. Nonetheless, if a pupil seems wonderful on another thing, let them play it.
Keep in mind that some are not “student” mouthpieces, but they are great sizes for students. Many professional players utilize these same mouthpieces.
Whatever mouthpiece you select, it is always the produced sound and how comfortable you are playing it, not the dimension, that matters most!
Comparison Chart of Tuba Mouthpiece Sizes
We’ve gathered a list of the sizes of some of the most common tuba brands and manufacturers’ mouthpieces. They might differ a bit from the actual dimensions but are gathered through each brand’s website or literature.
| Brand | Model | Rim (mm/inches) | Cup Depth | Rim Width | Throat | Backbore |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yamaha | 64 | 30.45 / 1.199″ | Medium | Thick | 8.35mm | Standard |
| Yamaha | 65 | 30.95 / 1.219″ | Medium | Semi-thin | 8.35mm | Semi-wide |
| Yamaha | 66 | 31.37 / 1.235″ | Deep | Standard | 8.35mm | Standard |
| Yamaha | 66B | 31.37 / 1.235″ | Shallow | Standard | 8.35mm | Semi-wide |
| Yamaha | 66D4 | 31.49 / 1.240″ | Deep | Medium-Wide | 8.87mm | Semi-wide |
| Yamaha | 67 | 31.93 / 1.257″ | Medium | Medium | 8.35mm | Semi-wide |
| Yamaha | Bobo TT | 32.04 / 1.261″ | Shallow | Medium | 7.02mm | Standard |
| Yamaha | 67C4 | 32.06 / 1.262″ | Medium | Medium-Wide | 8.1mm | Standard |
| Yamaha | 67B4 | 32.06 / 1.262″ | Shallow | Medium-Wide | 7.02mm | Standard |
| Yamaha | Bobo Solo | 32.20 / 1.268″ | 7.5mm | |||
| Yamaha | Canadian Brass | 32.28 / 1.271″ | 8.55mm | |||
| Yamaha | 68B | 32.72 / 1.288″ | Shallow | Medium-Wide | 7.5mm | Standard |
| Yamaha | Jim Self | 32.86 / 1.294″ | 8mm | |||
| Yamaha | Bobo Sym | 32.90 / 1.295″ | 7.5mm | |||
| Schilke | 66 | 31.52 / 1.241″ | ||||
| Schilke | S-H | 31.84 / 1.254″ | ||||
| Schilke | 62 | 31.85 / 1.254″ | ||||
| Schilke | 67 | 32.41 / 1.276″ | ||||
| Schilke | 69C4 | 32.76 / 1.290″ | ||||
| Kelly | 24AW | 31.50 / 1.240″ | 9.05 | 8.6mm | ||
| Kelly | 18 | 31.80 / 1.252″ | 7.75 | 8.6mm | ||
| Kelly | Kellyberg | 31.85 / 1.255″ | ||||
| Joseph Klier | T9-C | 30.00 / 1.181″ | 8 | 8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T9-D | 30.00 / 1.181″ | 8 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T9-E | 30.00 / 1.181″ | 8 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T8-B | 30.50 / 1.201″ | 8.25 | 8.2mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T8-C | 30.50 / 1.201″ | 8.25 | 8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T8-D | 30.50 / 1.201″ | 8.25 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T8-E | 30.50 / 1.201″ | 8.25 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | 25 | 31.00 / 1.220″ | 7.85 | 8.6mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T7-A | 31.00 / 1.220″ | 8 | 8.4mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T7-B | 31.00 / 1.220″ | 8 | 8.2mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T7-C | 31.00 / 1.220″ | 8 | 8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T7-D | 31.00 / 1.220″ | 8 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T7-E | 31.00 / 1.220″ | 8 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T6-A | 31.50 / 1.240″ | 8.25 | 8.4mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T6-AA | 31.50 / 1.240″ | 8.25 | 8.6mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T6-B | 31.50 / 1.240″ | 8.25 | 8.2mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T6-C | 31.50 / 1.240″ | 8.25 | 8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T6-D | 31.50 / 1.240″ | 8.25 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T6-E | 31.50 / 1.240″ | 8.25 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | 24W | 31.50 / 1.240″ | 9.05 | 8.6mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T5-A | 32.00 / 1.260″ | 8 | 8.4mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T5-AA | 32.00 / 1.260″ | 8 | 8.6mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T5-B | 32.00 / 1.260″ | 8 | 8.2mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T5-C | 32.00 / 1.260″ | 8 | 8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T5-D | 32.00 / 1.260″ | 8 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T5-E | 32.00 / 1.260″ | 8 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T4-A | 32.50 / 1.280″ | 8.25 | 8.4mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T4-AA | 32.50 / 1.280″ | 8.25 | 8.6mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T4-B | 32.50 / 1.280″ | 8.25 | 8.2mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T4-C | 32.50 / 1.280″ | 8.25 | 8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T4-D | 32.50 / 1.280″ | 8.25 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T4-E | 32.50 / 1.280″ | 8.25 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T3-A | 33.00 / 1.299″ | 8 | 8.4mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T3-AA | 33.00 / 1.299″ | 8 | 8.6mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T3-B | 33.00 / 1.299″ | 8 | 8.2mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T3-C | 33.00 / 1.299″ | 8 | 8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T3-D | 33.00 / 1.299″ | 8 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T3-E | 33.00 / 1.299″ | 8 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T2-A | 33.50 / 1.319″ | 8.25 | 8.4mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T2-AA | 33.50 / 1.319″ | 8.25 | 8.6mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T2-B | 33.50 / 1.319″ | 8.25 | 8.2mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T2-C | 33.50 / 1.319″ | 8.25 | 8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T2-D | 33.50 / 1.319″ | 8.25 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T2-E | 33.50 / 1.319″ | 8.25 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T1-A | 34.00 / 1.339″ | 8 | 8.4mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T1-AA | 34.00 / 1.339″ | 8 | 8.6mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T1-B | 34.00 / 1.339″ | 8 | 8.2mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T1-C | 34.00 / 1.339″ | 8 | 8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T1-D | 34.00 / 1.339″ | 8 | 7.8mm | ||
| Joseph Klier | T1-E | 34.00 / 1.339″ | 8 | 7.8mm | ||
| Denis Wick | 5 | 30.00 / 1.181″ | 7.14 | 7.89mm | ||
| Denis Wick | 5L | 30.00 / 1.181″ | 7.14 | 7.89mm | ||
| Denis Wick | 4 | 30.50 / 1.201″ | 6.89 | 8.27mm | ||
| Denis Wick | 4L | 30.50 / 1.201″ | 6.89 | 8.27mm | ||
| Denis Wick | 3 | 31.25 / 1.230″ | 8.11 | 8.78mm | ||
| Denis Wick | 3L | 31.25 / 1.230″ | 8.11 | 8.78mm | ||
| Denis Wick | 3SL | 31.25 / 1.230″ | 8.11 | 7.62mm | ||
| Denis Wick | 3XL | 31.25 / 1.230″ | 8.11 | 8.78mm | ||
| Denis Wick | 2 | 32.00 / 1.260″ | 7.73 | 8.45mm | ||
| Denis Wick | 2L | 32.00 / 1.260″ | 7.73 | 8.45mm | ||
| Denis Wick | 2SL | 32.00 / 1.260″ | 7.73 | 8.45mm | ||
| Denis Wick | 2XL | 32.00 / 1.260″ | 7.73 | 8.45mm | ||
| Denis Wick | 1 | 32.50 / 1.280″ | 7.48 | 8.43mm | ||
| Denis Wick | 1L | 32.50 / 1.280″ | 7.48 | 8.43mm | ||
| Denis Wick | 1XL | 32.50 / 1.280″ | 7.48 | 8.43mm | ||
| Conn | 7B Helleberg | 31.50 / 1.240″ | Medium | 8.3mm | 8.5mm | |
| Conn | 120S Helleberg | 32.50 / 1.279″ | Medium | 7.3mm | 8.1mm | |
| Blessing | 24AW | 31.25 / 1.230″ | Deep | Wide | 8.84mm | 810 |
| Blessing | 18 | 32.10 / 1.264″ | Medium | Medium-Wide | 8.84mm | 810 |
| Bach | 32E | 29.50 / 1.161″ | Shallow | Medium-Wide | 8.33mm | 801 |
| Bach | 30E | 30.00 / 1.181″ | Shallow | Medium-Wide | 8.33mm | 801 |
| Bach | 25 | 30.60 / 1.205″ | Medium | Medium-Wide | 8.33mm | 801 |
| Bach | 24W Mega | 31.25 / 1.230″ | Medium | Wide | 9.00mm | 810 |
| Bach | 24AW Mega | 31.25 / 1.230″ | Deep | Wide | 8.84mm | 810 |
| Bach | 24W | 31.25 / 1.230″ | Medium | Wide | 8.84mm | 810 |
| Bach | 24AW | 31.25 / 1.230″ | Deep | Wide | 8.84mm | 810 |
| Bach | 22 Mega | 31.60 / 1.244″ | Medium | Medium-Wide | 8.62mm | 801 |
| Bach | 22 | 31.60 / 1.244″ | Medium | Medium-Wide | 8.62mm | 801 |
| Bach | 18 Mega | 32.10 / 1.264″ | Medium | Medium-Wide | 9.00mm | 810 |
| Bach | 18 | 32.10 / 1.264″ | Medium | Medium-Wide | 8.84mm | 810 |
| Bach | 12 Mega | 32.75 / 1.289″ | Medium | Medium-Wide | 8.62mm | 801 |
| Bach | 12 | 32.75 / 1.289″ | Medium | Medium-Wide | 8.33mm | 801 |
| Bach | 7 | 33.25 / 1.309″ | Medium | Medium-Wide | 8.33mm | 801 |
| Bach | 7 Mega | 33.25 / 1.309″ | Medium | Medium-Wide | 9.00mm | 801 |
(data gathered from each brand)
