User Manual

9
Yamaha Mouthpieces
Material, Weight & Finish
Material, Weight & Finish
Perhaps less obvious than the shape parameters described in the preceding section,
material, weight, and finish are of the utmost important in determining a mouthpiece’s sound
and playability.
Material
The most common material used for
mouthpiece production today is brass. Some older
French horn mouthpieces were made from nickel
silver and these tend to have a “harder” tone than
brass types.
Silver mouthpieces are a unique alternative to
brass, characterized by a dark, powerful tone with
superior projection. Yamaha Silver 925 Series silver
mouthpieces are manufactured from solid, top-
quality sterling silver. Their unique resistance makes
them suitable for experienced players who can
take full advantage of the extraordinary dark tone
these fine mouthpieces are capable of delivering.
Weight
Generally speaking, light mouthpieces exhibit
fast, flexible response while heavier types produce
a more focused tonal core and are more suited
to powerful playing styles. The Yamaha Standard
Series concentrates on the medium weight range
for the best balance for all-around playing, while
the GP Series and Silver 925 Series feature a
more specialized weight balance for outstanding
expressive scope and versatility.
Finish
Silver plate is an ideal finish for brass
mouthpieces. As long as the thickness of the
plating is sufficient, silver affords exceptional
durability and will not flake or peel. Silver is also
non-toxic to most players.
Gold plate offers a smooth, luxurious feel
that actually contributes to enhanced lip control
flexibility. In the Yamaha GP Series and some
Signature Series models the gold plate extends
to the inside bore of the mouthpiece, achieving a
unique tone and exceptionally smooth airflow.
In some cases no plating is applied at all.
Yamaha Silver 925 Series mouthpieces are simply
buffed — using a special technique usually
reserved for top-quality French horns — to bring
out the natural beauty and acoustic qualities of the
base material.
Generally speaking, gold-plate finishes provide
the smoothest feel with unrestricted lip movement,
while unplated silver gives the best “grip”. Silver
plate falls somewhere between gold-plate and
unplated silver.
Standard
Silver 925
GP Series
Brass