GR Groovin' High Trumpet Mouthpieces

Gary graduated University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree. Gary studied trumpet with Allen K. Butcher, from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Dennis Najoom, Co-Principal Trumpet with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and Renold O. Schilke to name a few. After college, Gary traveled on the road, backing up big-name acts, arranging, composing, doing copy work and some studio work.

GR as an educator

Gary Radtke has been a High School Band Director, Department Head, as well as, an accomplished composer/arranger. This extensive background is the basis to his series of clinics, “The Scientific Approach To Brass Playing” and “Understanding The Mouthpiece”.

GR’s Technical Background

GR is a journeyman tool maker. He started GR Technologies in 1999 and introduced new tools and new thinking. GR also defined the mouthpiece with mathematical parameters, developed a system for communication, improved design, and developed methods for proper fitting. (GR Playing Tests)

GR "Signature" Trumpet Mouthpieces

The Groovin' High Mouthpiece

Dan McMillion

The story on the GR Groovin High Mouthpiece starts with Maynard Ferguson.

Maynards first mouthpiece when he was about 16 years old was a Rudy Muck 16 C given to him by his trumpet teacher. It had a wide cushion rim with a medium V cup. Maynard had the rim ground down making it shallower and making the cup diameter smaller. Not very scientific but it worked for him.

Maynard played this piece throughout his time with Stan Kenton He then went to Dominick Callichio and had a hand made one of a kind mouthpiece made that he played from the late 50's till the mid 60's. Maynard gave this piece to Roger Ingram sometime in the 80's. Roger said he liked it and Lynn Nicholson also played it and called it "The Holy Grail."

I called Roger and asked him if he would take it to a mouthpiece maker when he was in Pennsylvania and have it cloned, this would have been in 1985. Roger play tested both the original and the cloned piece for a week and said they were almost identical in blow and sound. The Groovin High Mouthpiece was born.

Some years later I found Gary Radke and sent one to him and he did his "reverse engineering magic". That improved the mouthpiece greatly.

The Groovin High Mouthpiece has been quite popular for Lead and High Note players,. Lynn Nicholson formerly with the MF band plays one and recommends the Groovin High to his trumpet students. I have recorded 6 CD's on The Sea Breeze Jazz label playing the Groovin High 4*X and it gives me the sound I like.

Dan McMillion

Models	Cup Volume	Cup Volume	Cup Diameter r2			r4	Rim
Groovin' High	Description	Cubic Inches	Inch	mm	Fraction	@.032"	Contour	Bite	Alpha Angle
Groovin' High 2	Very Small	0.051	0.6	15.24	38.4/64	0.613	Medium Flat	Very Soft	Super High
Groovin' High 2*	Very Small	0.051	0.6	15.24	38.4/64	0.613	Medium Flat	Very Soft	Super High
Groovin' High 3*	Very Small	0.0514	0.6	15.24	38.4/64	0.6154	Medium Flat	Softer than 2*	Super High
Groovin' High 4*	Very Small	0.0518	0.6	15.24	38.4/64	0.613	Medium Flat	Softer than 3*	Super High
Groovin' FL	Flugelhorn	0.0812	0.6	15.24	38.4/64	0.613	Medium Flat	Very Soft	High
Groovin' FD	Open Flugel	0.0986	0.6	15.24	38.4/64	0.613	Medium Flat	Very Soft	Medium

The Groovin' High GR Mouthpiece is only available through Dan McMillion.

E-Mail Dan!

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