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About Colin Murray
Expertise
I can answer about trombone equipment (instruments, mouthpieces, used horns, etc) and trombone (especially bass trombone) playing. If I don't know right away, I have an extensive network of experts to call on. I can't help you get a date.

Experience
25 years as professional bass trombonist (playing in big bands,orchestras, theatre, etc), 20 years as brass repair technician and retail and wholesale sales. Bass trombone instructor at Humber College, Toronto. Creator of website www.mrequipment.net - all about brass and woodwind gear and the people behind it.

Organizations
National Association of Music Merchants, American Federation of Musicians, International Trombone Association

Education/Credentials
B.Mus, L.Mus (Performance) McGill University, Montreal

You are here: Experts > Music/Performing Arts > Musical Instruments > Trombone > Mouthpiece backbore

Trombone - Mouthpiece backbore

Expert: Colin Murray - 10/28/2009

Question
Hello Colin. I am enlarging the throat of my mouthpiece which is a Bach 8.5BW to get a free-er blowing and more flexibility and I'm also looking for a somewhat thicker sound. I'm only going to enlarge it one step up (from 5.85mm to 5.94mm) My question is Should I have the backbore also modified to get a good combination between the throat and backbore? Or not necessarily the backbore has to be modified? I understand the tighter the backbore the more brilliant is the sound; And the larger the backbore the mellower is the sound. Correct me if I'm wrong. Thank you in advance.

Answer
Hi Emmanuel,

I wouldn't open the bore of the mouthpiece if I were you. If you're looking for less resistance and a darker sound, you should try a deeper cup, and try a non-cushion rim for more flexibility. Try a Bach 9 or a 7 or 7C. If you're married to the 8.5BW, you could open the backbore a bit, but you need to get a mouthpiece maker to do that. If you do open the bore (throat), you may have to open the backbore a bit at the top to reduce the cylinder length of the bore section after opening it, but really, that's splitting hairs. A larger backbore will give you a darker sound, but it will take more air and your intonation and focus may suffer. In the long run, I think you'd be better off looking at a different mouthpiece.

Hope that helps,
Colin Murray

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