We have had several inquires about a technique call Mouthpiece Shaving. We have investigated this process and our technical team has prepared an answer based on science and acoustical principles. The team consisted of Charles A. Macaluso (Engineer), Thomas Moore, Ph.D.. Physics, and GR of GR Technologies.

This process apparently originated on the West Coast and it is a technique that a player tunes a note playing the mouthpiece only and files the end of the mouthpiece to improve resonance and pitch.

Most desired is to file the end on the mouthpiece shank a little at a time, although, after research we have also found some players shave the end on the mouthpiece, chamfer the exit of the backbore, or shave the backbore internally.

With this method you buzz the mouthpiece on a concert Bb or concert Eb, you relax as much as possible until the pitch begins to center with a full core of sound. Apparently you usually end up a little flat, therefore, you file off the end of the mouthpiece to bring this in tune.

We do not recommend this technique.

Without going into great detail we have prepared a short but accurate technical statement.

When a trumpet is played (using a mouthpiece and with open valves), a series of 16 resonance tones can be produced from a pedal C to a Double C. Unlike the trumpet, when the mouthpiece is played by itself, only one resonance tone can be produced below a Double C. The value of the mouthpiece resonance frequency depends upon the design of the mouthpiece. While the resonance frequency of the played mouthpiece varies with the design, the frequency is typically about 700 to 900 Hz.

As a result, the trumpet mouthpiece can easily produce a tone of any desired frequency that is well below the mouthpiece resonance frequency. Trumpeters readily play "siren sounds" on their mouthpieces; and they can effortlessly play any desired pitch that is near to a concert Bb.

Because of the physics described above, it is impossible to "tune the mouthpiece to a concert Bb (tuning note), or any other note that is comfortable" by changing the end of the mouthpiece.

Small changes made to the end of the mouthpiece may change the mouthpiece resonance frequency; however, there is no assurance that doing so will improve intonation.

The procedure of altering the end of the backbore merely changes the mouthpiece and the gap, with no scientific basis for systematically improving anything.