12 Best Trumpet Mouthpieces 2025; Beginners, Professionals & More Considered
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As most brass instrumentalists will tell you, using the right mouthpiece can make a huge difference.
It can enhance the tone of the instrument, give you more control and help you develop your embouchure technique.
In this guide, we’ll be looking at various trumpet mouthpieces to suit a variety of applications and purposes – professionals, beginners, for big lips and for hitting high notes.
Read on to discover our top recommended products.
Contents
Mouthpieces For Professionals
The pros can always tell the difference between a cheap mouthpiece and a quality product. They can work with either, but all things being equal, they prefer working with a product that gives them the results they want.
In this section, we’ll be looking at some of the best mouthpieces for discerning and discriminating professionals.
Bach Trumpet Mouthpiece 3C
The Bach 3C trumpet mouthpiece comes with medium cup depth, 16.3mm cup diameter, medium wide rim shape, extended range and better tone quality.
This mouthpiece is intended for both intermediate and advanced players.
Buyers said this mouthpiece offers good consistency overall, along with a great sound and feel.
Some reviews had issues with quality control but these were rare. If possible, we suggest sending back defective products for replacements to Vincent Bach.
Item weight: 4 ounces
Package dimensions: 3.6 x 1.2 x 1.2 inches
Schilke Standard Series Trumpet Mouthpiece Group I In Silver 14A4a Silver
The Schilke standard series trumpet mouthpiece comes with standard rim shape, cup volume and backbores.
Customers said this mouthpiece helped them access higher notes and offered a great sound overall.
Some didn’t find that it helped them increase their range, but this is still a good, dependable mouthpiece overall.
Item weight: 4 ounces
Package dimensions: 3.7 x 1.3 x 1.2 inches
Yamaha Trumpet Mouthpiece (YAC SHEWJAZZ)
The Yamaha YAC SHEWJAZZ mouthpiece comes with a 16.85mm inner rim diameter, deep and roomy cup, warm, rich, full and big sound, as well as “jump and snap” for playing quick jazz passages.
Many trumpeters found this Yamaha mouthpiece to be a high-quality mouthpiece with great sound quality and performance.
There aren’t any negative reviews to speak of, so if you’re looking for a mouthpiece suited to jazz, this is a good place to look.
Item weight: 3.2 ounces
Package dimensions: 3.8 x 1.3 x 1.3 inches
Paititi Gold Plated Rich Tone Bb 3C Trumpet Mouthpiece
The Paititi gold plated rich tone Bb 3C trumpet mouthpiece is compatible with most standard Yamaha, Bach, Conn and King trumpets as well as others.
It has a medium cup and is ideal for intermediate to advanced players.
Many reviewers have found the Paititi Music mouthpieces to be of high quality – a nice surprise at this price point. Worth a look.
Item weight: 3.04 ounces
Package dimensions: 5 x 2 x 2 inches
Mouthpieces For Beginners
Beginners need mouthpieces too. While they may not need anything as sturdy as a pro would, it’s important that students expose themselves to different mouthpieces so they can begin to tell the difference and discover their preferences.
Here are several affordable and easily accessible options for those just getting started in trumpet.
Trumpet Mouthpiece 3C 5C 7C (3 Pack) With Box And Microfiber Cleaning Cloth
This trumpet mouthpiece three-pack is perfect for those who’d like to give different mouthpiece sizes a try.
This package comes with one 3C, one 5C and one 7C mouthpieces, microfiber cleaning cloth and gift box.
The 3C, which is popular among pros, is the loudest with large air consumption. Bass notes are easier to play but treble notes are harder.
The 7C, which is a common choice for beginners, makes it easier to play treble notes and bass notes are less full. Air consumption is also reduced.
Reviewers found these to be handy for experimenting with different sounds and also liked that they were affordable.
Item weight: 12 ounces
Package dimensions: 6.9 x 4.7 x 2.6 inches
Pakala66 Trumpet Mouthpiece 3C 5C 7C Size Instrument Accessory (3 Pack Silver)
The Pakala66 mouthpiece set is nickel plated and is suitable for Yamaha, Bach, Conn and King trumpets. The mouthpiece size is good for higher register and C trumpets.
Manufacturer notes this three-pack is ideal for beginners and marching band applications. The mouthpieces come with medium wide rim shape and can help build a stronger embouchure. The build is rugged and durable.
Positive reviewers liked the feel and value of the mouthpieces.
Item weight: 10.7 ounces
Package dimensions: 3.6 x 1.2 x 1.2 inches
Cecilio Trumpet Mouthpiece, 3C, Silver Plated
The Cecilio 3C silver plated trumpet mouthpiece has an overall length of 87.50mm, shank diameter of 9.80mm, shank length of 45.00mm, cup diameter of 17.50mm and rim diameter of 27.00mm.
Many players were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Cecilio trumpet mouthpiece, as well as its attractive appearance.
Some felt the rim could be a little meatier for comfort but otherwise found it to be a highly usable product.
Item weight: 3.84 ounces
Package dimensions: 6.1 x 4.4 x 2.1 inches
EastRock Silver Plated Trumpet Mouthpiece 3C
The EastRock silver plated 3C trumpet mouthpiece comes with a medium cup depth, 10.9mm diameter and is made of high-quality copper alloy.
This mouthpiece fits all standard trumpets and is suitable for all players.
Most buyers found the EastRock to be a good mouthpiece for the price.
Item weight: 4.8 ounces
Package dimensions: 3.7 x 1.4 x 1.2 inches
Glory Silver Plated Bb Trumpet Mouthpiece, 7C
The affordable Glory silver plated 7C mouthpiece allows for greater range and better tone quality.
Customers couldn’t believe the quality of the mouthpiece, especially considering its price.
Item weight: 3.2 ounces
Package dimensions: 3.6 x 1.2 x 1.2 inches
Mouthpieces For Big Lips/Large Lips
Playing technique can be affected by a variety of factors, up to and including the size of your lips.
Big lips don’t always match well with small mouthpieces, though some trumpet players learn to work with what they are given.
With that in mind, there are still options for people who want to try something different.
Let’s look at mouthpieces for big lips/large lips.
Bach K3513C Mega Tone Trumpet Mouthpiece, 3C
The Bach K3513C Mega Tone mouthpiece offers a large 16.30 cup diameter, a full and rich tone, and medium wide rim shape.
Overall, this mouthpiece offers darker, weightier tones, which is what many jazz and symphonic players are looking for.
Buyers loved what this Bach mouthpiece had to offer in terms of tone and control. There isn’t much by way of criticism for the Bach mouthpiece, so if you don’t mind paying for it, you’ll likely enjoy this mouthpiece.
Item weight: 4 ounces
Package dimensions: 1.2 x 1.2 x 3.6 inches
Mouthpieces For High Notes
When it comes to playing the trumpet, many players are looking for control, and mouthpieces can make a difference in this regard.
Some of the mouthpieces introduced earlier can work quite well for hitting high notes, such as the Bach K3513C Mega Tone.
But we’ll look at a couple more here in case you’re looking for something different. Let’s get on with it.
Yamaha YACSHEWLEAD Bobby Shew Lead Trumpet Mouthpiece
The Yamaha YACSHEWLEAD Bobby Shew lead trumpet mouthpiece offers high note clarity for lead playing.
Though it features enough air compression for high range playing, it still allows for a big, open sound.
It has a semi-round contour, shallow cup depth, narrow back bore, 16.54mm inner diameter and 3.56mm throat.
Many players have found the Yamaha to be a helpful mouthpiece when trying to reach higher notes, especially when they needed to play higher notes for extended periods of time.
One reviewer said this isn’t an ideal mouthpiece for lower notes, but of course Bobby Shew himself doesn’t just use one mouthpiece, and he rarely plays low notes besides.
Item weight: 0.32 ounces
Package dimensions: 1.2 x 1.2 x 3.6 inches
Yamaha Trumpet Mouthpiece (YACTR14A4A)
The Yamaha YACTR14A4A is yet another Yamaha that can offer solid higher range control.
This mouthpiece comes with smooth attack, secure control, unmatched precision, easy playability and is great for all-around usage.
The reviews certainly seem to confirm these claims, with some players even saying they’ve been using it for decades.
Item weight: 3.2 ounces
Package dimensions: 1.2 x 1.2 x 3.8 inches
What Should I Look For In A Mouthpiece?
Mouthpieces tend to be highly individual, which explains why there are so many of them out there.
So, at the end of the day, no one knows what’s going to work for you better than you do.
When and where possible, experiment with different trumpet mouthpieces to see what you like. See if you can get some help from your local music store if you’re not sure.
If you already know what you like, you’re probably not reading this.
But here are the basic criteria one should consider when buying trumpet mouthpieces:
- Tone
- Usability and comfort
- Range
- Budget
Let’s take a quick look at each of these factors.
Tone
Although the instrument itself makes the biggest difference overall, the mouthpiece should also be considered when you’re trying to achieve desired tone.
Although it’s hard to tell how your instrument is going to sound with a specific mouthpiece, you can always watch video demos and reviews to get a better sense of what you might like.
And, as I already suggested, if you can try out a few mouthpieces at a local music store, you’ll have a much better sense of what might work for you.
Usability/Comfort
Everybody’s mouth is unique – lips, tongue, teeth and more. This means what feels comfortable to someone else won’t necessarily feel comfortable to you.
Less expensive mouthpieces are designed to fit a variety of applications. While they shouldn’t be considered one-size-fits-all solutions, they do work well for many players.
Nevertheless, it’s best to take your time in selecting a mouthpiece that meets your needs. You’ll be far happier using a product that feels like a “custom fit” versus something that feels like it was designed for another mouth.
Range
Mouthpieces weren’t created equal, with some allowing you to reach higher notes, and others giving you more control over bass. Some will give you decent control over the entire range of your instrument.
It’s important to consider what you’re going to need based on what context you’re playing in. If you are a jazz player, or if you are often required to play higher notes, then you should find a mouthpiece that’s going to allow you to play in the desired range.
So, we can’t forget range when it comes to mouthpieces, but if you’re an intermediate to advanced player, you know this already.
Budget
Trumpet mouthpieces cost somewhere in the $8 to $120 range, though you can find both cheaper and more expensive products.
For the most part, mouthpieces aren’t expensive, but if you weren’t expecting them to cost more than $20, then you may have been surprised to find higher priced products.
At Music Industry How To, we suggest saving up for what you can’t afford right now. There’s no sense going into debt for gear you might end up having to return.
So, please spend responsibly. We know you probably won’t go broke spending on mouthpieces, but just in case.
Best Trumpet Mouthpieces, Final Thoughts
If you’re new to the trumpet, give yourself some room to experiment. You never know what you might end up liking or what might work for you.
Playing an instrument is meant to be fun. If your mouthpiece is holding you back, then it’s time to replace it. Don’t hesitate.
If it’s time to upgrade, and you’ve got the budget for it, go ahead and upgrade. It’s unlikely you will regret it.
If you’re a pro with discerning tastes, then do your research and carefully consider what’s going to match your needs right now.
Happy shopping!
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