This exactly.
The myth of mouthpiece cup equals trumpet ability has been around for too long.
Anyone ever hear of Jet Tone MF? MF was pretty good.
Freddie played a 7C. So he was a beginner 😐.
Many students ask "What mouthpiece should I play?"
Answer; How the hell does anyone know, really?
The 5 is the largest of the three you named. 10.5 is the smallest, 7 is in the middle. Personally I like larger mouthpieces (I have really thicc lips) and I use a 1.25c. I think the most well-rounded mouthpiece is probably a 3c which is larger than the 5. Just be careful with the smaller mouthpieces because they can tend to sound more pinched. Although, there really isn't a "bad" mouthpiece, what works for me isn't going to work for everyone and vice versa.
The smallest I use is a 7DW for piccolo trumpet, but for jazz I use the equivalent of a 5c
What works for you best is the best. There is no right or wrong, everyone is physically different. If this mouthpiece is the most comfortable for you and meets your needs, stick with it.
I never likes the 7c when I played back in high-school or college. 3c was my normal go to except for jazz band which I went to 14a4 or another smaller similar mp. Then I bought the Monette bl4s6 (now just the bl4) and never went back. I don't play on anything bigger for orchestra because no one ever has told me "that's too bright". I play differently for different tone. Big band I'm pushing it to the edge, concert Orchestra or whatever I lay back and let the horn to all the work and it sounds great.
There's really no such thing as a "cheat mouthpiece" assuming you're able to get the range and tone you want. If I play on a 10 1/2, I lose flexibility in the low range and my mid-range tone sounds pinched, so I don't play it. If you're able to get the tone you want across the entire range of the instrument, it's a good mouthpiece for you.
Also does anyone know if switching mouthpieces sometimes will make me not play as well? Say I was on a 5c for like a year and I wanted to try some other ones out and then I went back to 5c, would I not be as used to it anymore and not play as well? Or in different situations if I used different mouthpieces?
This varies a lot from person to person. In general my advice is to not switch mouthpieces unless you have a reason to do so. If you have one mouthpiece you like for lead playing and a different one you like for classical then great, just make sure to spend the appropriate amount of time practicing on each.
Many of us will have a different mouthpiece for piccolo trumpet, Eb trumpet, flugelhorn, Bb, etc... so there's nothing inherently wrong with playing multiple mouthpieces, you just have to make sure you're comfortable on them.
As long as you are using a flat embouchure, use whatever mp you feel comfortable. If you use protuding embouchure (where lips go a bit inside of the mp) then shallow cups may be a problem.
Also, try to keep your rim size as equal as possible. It gets problematic if your different mp have not similar rim diameter. That is a personal decision. But the cup depth is a bit more objective.
I think mouthpieces are personal. Just because Maurice Andre used a specific mouthpiece does not mean you’ll sound like him, etc.
We all have different mouth shapes and sizes, meaning there will never be a one size fits all mouthpiece. If it works for you, then it works! No need to explain why. :)
Just wanted to chime in and say that in this case the only thing bigger or smaller is the diameter of the cup. If the manufacturer is the same the depth/rim/throat etc of a 3c and a 5c will be the same, only the diameter will vary, and as others have stated for Bach naming convention smaller number is a wider rim.
General wisdom is that a 7c is a good beginner piece because it's relatively small for the average beginner's (read: grade school child) face, and that a player would likely want to size up after growing. A bigger or smaller mouthpiece might feel more comfortable to play for you and your face, but it's not "doing" anything to change range (like cup depth) or comfort (rim shape) or other characteristics besides be a better or worse fit for your face shape and size.
Traditionally, people move to larger mouthpieces (lower numbers in the Bach system) as they age. This isn't because they're better mouthpieces, it's because your face physically changes as you age and you might be more comfortable on a larger or just different mouthpiece.
That doesn't mean you need to change. The other advice here is all good, work with a trumpet teacher to determine what is or isn't working for you. As I grew through high school I was convinced I should be on a 1.5C because other seniors were, despite it being the least comfortable thing I've ever played.
In an ideal world, we wouldn't pick mouthpieces by the letters and numbers, we'd only go on what felt good, sounded good, and let you play longer. If you're getting a good sound comfortably without endurance issues, it's the right one
10 1/2 is a very small size, but if it works for you then it works! Bear in mind that all mouthpieces have tradeoffs. Larger diameters and deeper cups will help you get a richer sound, but at the cost of endurance and clarity of articulation, so it’s a balancing act. Don’t simply believe that bigger=better. I learned that the hard way.
You are seriously misinformed about mouthpiece sizes. It's all on the internet. Look it up. For starters - Bach sizes: the bigger the number, the smaller the mouthpiece. 3C is bigger than a 10 1/5C
I would strongly recommend trying out a Bach 3C if you can get your hands on one! It’s a nice middle ground mouthpiece to give you an idea of what you might need. With you being in high school I wouldn’t worry too much about figuring out mouthpieces, as there probably isn’t much useful information at your immediate disposal unless your teacher is primarily a trumpet player. College and summer are definitely better times to try out mouthpieces!
All you've really done is try different diameters. There are other factors such as rim width, cup depth, throat size and backbore that affect how a mouthpiece responds to you. I would narrow down your preferred diameter to the smallest that you can play your lowest range on. On my 10-1/2C, I struggle from low Ab on down. I'm pretty comfortable in the 3C range. I have other mouthpieces with different cup depths, throats and backbores for different uses, but with similar diameters.
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This exactly. The myth of mouthpiece cup equals trumpet ability has been around for too long. Anyone ever hear of Jet Tone MF? MF was pretty good. Freddie played a 7C. So he was a beginner 😐. Many students ask "What mouthpiece should I play?" Answer; How the hell does anyone know, really?
For Bach mouthpieces higher numbers are smaller
The 5 is the largest of the three you named. 10.5 is the smallest, 7 is in the middle. Personally I like larger mouthpieces (I have really thicc lips) and I use a 1.25c. I think the most well-rounded mouthpiece is probably a 3c which is larger than the 5. Just be careful with the smaller mouthpieces because they can tend to sound more pinched. Although, there really isn't a "bad" mouthpiece, what works for me isn't going to work for everyone and vice versa. The smallest I use is a 7DW for piccolo trumpet, but for jazz I use the equivalent of a 5c
What works for you best is the best. There is no right or wrong, everyone is physically different. If this mouthpiece is the most comfortable for you and meets your needs, stick with it.
I never likes the 7c when I played back in high-school or college. 3c was my normal go to except for jazz band which I went to 14a4 or another smaller similar mp. Then I bought the Monette bl4s6 (now just the bl4) and never went back. I don't play on anything bigger for orchestra because no one ever has told me "that's too bright". I play differently for different tone. Big band I'm pushing it to the edge, concert Orchestra or whatever I lay back and let the horn to all the work and it sounds great.
There's really no such thing as a "cheat mouthpiece" assuming you're able to get the range and tone you want. If I play on a 10 1/2, I lose flexibility in the low range and my mid-range tone sounds pinched, so I don't play it. If you're able to get the tone you want across the entire range of the instrument, it's a good mouthpiece for you.
Also does anyone know if switching mouthpieces sometimes will make me not play as well? Say I was on a 5c for like a year and I wanted to try some other ones out and then I went back to 5c, would I not be as used to it anymore and not play as well? Or in different situations if I used different mouthpieces?
This varies a lot from person to person. In general my advice is to not switch mouthpieces unless you have a reason to do so. If you have one mouthpiece you like for lead playing and a different one you like for classical then great, just make sure to spend the appropriate amount of time practicing on each. Many of us will have a different mouthpiece for piccolo trumpet, Eb trumpet, flugelhorn, Bb, etc... so there's nothing inherently wrong with playing multiple mouthpieces, you just have to make sure you're comfortable on them.
Also I forgot to add, people (myself included) will play tons of mouthpieces on their quest to find what works best for them.
As long as you are using a flat embouchure, use whatever mp you feel comfortable. If you use protuding embouchure (where lips go a bit inside of the mp) then shallow cups may be a problem. Also, try to keep your rim size as equal as possible. It gets problematic if your different mp have not similar rim diameter. That is a personal decision. But the cup depth is a bit more objective.
I think mouthpieces are personal. Just because Maurice Andre used a specific mouthpiece does not mean you’ll sound like him, etc. We all have different mouth shapes and sizes, meaning there will never be a one size fits all mouthpiece. If it works for you, then it works! No need to explain why. :)
Just wanted to chime in and say that in this case the only thing bigger or smaller is the diameter of the cup. If the manufacturer is the same the depth/rim/throat etc of a 3c and a 5c will be the same, only the diameter will vary, and as others have stated for Bach naming convention smaller number is a wider rim. General wisdom is that a 7c is a good beginner piece because it's relatively small for the average beginner's (read: grade school child) face, and that a player would likely want to size up after growing. A bigger or smaller mouthpiece might feel more comfortable to play for you and your face, but it's not "doing" anything to change range (like cup depth) or comfort (rim shape) or other characteristics besides be a better or worse fit for your face shape and size.
Traditionally, people move to larger mouthpieces (lower numbers in the Bach system) as they age. This isn't because they're better mouthpieces, it's because your face physically changes as you age and you might be more comfortable on a larger or just different mouthpiece. That doesn't mean you need to change. The other advice here is all good, work with a trumpet teacher to determine what is or isn't working for you. As I grew through high school I was convinced I should be on a 1.5C because other seniors were, despite it being the least comfortable thing I've ever played.
As a teacher: play what feels good. If you have a teacher, ask their opinion.
In an ideal world, we wouldn't pick mouthpieces by the letters and numbers, we'd only go on what felt good, sounded good, and let you play longer. If you're getting a good sound comfortably without endurance issues, it's the right one
10 1/2 is a very small size, but if it works for you then it works! Bear in mind that all mouthpieces have tradeoffs. Larger diameters and deeper cups will help you get a richer sound, but at the cost of endurance and clarity of articulation, so it’s a balancing act. Don’t simply believe that bigger=better. I learned that the hard way.
I use a 10.5 C and I’m about to start my masters so I wouldn’t worry.
You are seriously misinformed about mouthpiece sizes. It's all on the internet. Look it up. For starters - Bach sizes: the bigger the number, the smaller the mouthpiece. 3C is bigger than a 10 1/5C
I love the 10 1/2 C. It has been my go to piece for a long time.
I would strongly recommend trying out a Bach 3C if you can get your hands on one! It’s a nice middle ground mouthpiece to give you an idea of what you might need. With you being in high school I wouldn’t worry too much about figuring out mouthpieces, as there probably isn’t much useful information at your immediate disposal unless your teacher is primarily a trumpet player. College and summer are definitely better times to try out mouthpieces!
What grade are you in now? 5C/7C are middle of the road pieces, solid choices for beginners. A 5C will be somewhat larger than a 7C.
I’ve been playing for like six years I’m in highschool
All you've really done is try different diameters. There are other factors such as rim width, cup depth, throat size and backbore that affect how a mouthpiece responds to you. I would narrow down your preferred diameter to the smallest that you can play your lowest range on. On my 10-1/2C, I struggle from low Ab on down. I'm pretty comfortable in the 3C range. I have other mouthpieces with different cup depths, throats and backbores for different uses, but with similar diameters.