AR RESONANCE

[About AR RESONANCE mouthpieces]

-- You don't need to spend time "getting used" to a new mouthpiece.

When we started making AR RESONANCE mouthpieces, our goal was to create a mouthpiece that was "extremely easy to play while producing the best possible sound."
The fundamental concept behind all AR mouthpieces is to provide the back pressure level (≒resistance) and harmonic breadth that the player's body and skill demand.

Through our interactions with various players, we've come to the conclusion that players shouldn't be forced to "play this way" based on their mouthpiece.
Our goal isn't for the player to get used to our mouthpiece, but rather to provide the best solution that the player feels is right.

 

From piccolo trumpets to tubas, hundreds of different rims, cups, backbores, weights, shapes, materials, and finishes are available.
These mouthpieces are designed to achieve a more holistic balance in the player's physical and mental approach.
Players who have tried the AR mouthpiece have noticed that their sound has more core, the entire range connects smoothly, and the response is faster.

Please try to find a mouthpiece that suits you and experience the difference.

trumpet

How to choose a cup

☆Point

The rim shape is the same for all cups. Changing the cup depth won't create any noticeable difference.

The rim shape is slightly softer to the touch than a Bach mouthpiece. Bach users, in particular, should find it comfortable.

There are two options: wide rims and flat rims. Wide rims are wide and slightly rounded, like those of Bob Reeves or Giardinelli, while flat rims are flat, like those of Silky. Most people prefer the standard rim, so it's a good idea to try the regular type first.

 

● Size

VL (equivalent to Bach No. 1)
L (equivalent to Bach 1-1/4)
ML (equivalent to Bach 1-1/2)
M (equivalent to Bach No. 3)
MS (equivalent to Bach's Symphony No. 7)
S (equivalent to Bach 10-1/2)
VS (equivalent to Bach No. 15)
XS (equivalent to Bach No. 18)

If you are using a mouthpiece other than a BachThis tablePlease take a look.

● depth
A: Very deep. For rotary trumpet.
B: Deep. Suitable for experienced classical musicians.
C: Moderation.
D: Slightly shallow. You can get a rich sound like a C cup, but it's for those who want more support in the high frequencies.
E: It's not as shallow as a reed cup, but it is shallow.
Lead: Shallow. Standard reed cup.
Lead Plus: Designed for lead players who demand hard work.
The rim shape is the same for all cups. Changing the cup depth doesn't create any noticeable difference.

C is the most standard cup size, and most people who normally use a medium-sized cup try this one first.

In contrast, cup B produces a softer sound, but despite its deeper cup, it excels in responding to high frequencies. Conversely, cup D, with its slightly shallower cup, produces a brighter sound, but it's not so bad that it's unusable in wind ensembles. If you need to handle the mid-to-high range versatility well, this cup will undoubtedly help your playing.

Furthermore, depths from E to Lead Plus are popular among lead players in big bands. Many who use shallower cups find that "E offers excellent response in the high register, but still has plenty of room for improvement in depth."

For comparisons of depth, which is another frequently asked question, a D cup is slightly deeper than Bob Reeves' M cup, and a Lead Plus cup is equivalent to an ES cup.

 

 

●Material

There are seven types available: brass, bronze, buffalo, titanium, stainless steel, damascus steel, and nickel.
If you're unsure, brass is a good choice, while bronze is preferred if you want a tighter, fuller sound.

[brass]This is the most commonly used and familiar material for modern mouthpieces. It offers a light response and a flexible tone.

[bronze]Made from phosphor bronze, this model is just as popular as brass. It's a lively, responsive, and resonant material. The sound is fuller and more stable.

[Buffalo]This refers to buffalo horn, a very lightweight and responsive material. When blown gently, it produces a warm, woody sound, while blowing harder yields a bright, crisp sound.

[titanium]Compared to brass, it has a wider dynamic range and clearer sound directionality. It's also a good option for people with metal allergies.

[stainless]It features a slow response and muffled articulation. Its dead sound is well-suited to acoustic sounds such as jazz combos, and it possesses a distinctive tone.

[Damasteel]The sound is similar to the stainless steel mentioned above. The distinctive pattern is created by combining two materials with different hardness levels. It is expensive, but it is definitely a material you won't see anywhere else.

[Nickel] Responsive and highly directional sound. The sound's contours are clearly defined, making it a good match for combinations such as shallow cups.

 

How to choose a back bore

It plays a crucial role in controlling the feel and sound of playing, including how the sound spreads and how the air enters the instrument. The biggest advantage of a two-piece design is that it makes it easier to choose one that suits you.

The tighter the mouthpiece, the more directional the sound becomes, and the more resistance it acquires. The more open the mouthpiece, the more air can enter, which tends to give the sound more breadth and brightness.

Generally, a tight backbore is paired with a shallow cup, while an open backbore is often paired with a medium to deep cup. However, some people prefer the opposite settings depending on the sound they are looking for and their preferred playing feel.

● Types of back bore
AR offers five different back fleece sizes, from tightest to largest: LEAD, XS, S, M, and L.

At our store, the S or M backbore is the most popular. The M backbore model offers a good balance of the excellent pitch, sound, and controllability of the AR mouthpiece. The S backbore has a slightly more compact playing feel, but it is popular because it feels less jarring when transitioning from a more conventional mouthpiece.

In addition to these, there are two other backbore types: Classical M and Classical L. Although not exclusively for classical music, the subtle changes in the internal shape result in a clear, dense sound, making them very popular among wind band and orchestra players.

Although there is a difference in resistance compared to the regular model, those who prefer S backbore tend to choose Classical M, while those who prefer M backbore tend to choose Classical L.

 

【others】

● Throat size
You can choose between throat sizes 40 (#21) and 42 (#19). Most spools sold domestically have a 40 throat, so it's a good idea to try this throat first. You can choose the size for both the top and backbore, and generally use the same size for both.

● Weight
There are four types: Standard, Medium, Bullet, and Heavy. The Bullet and Heavy models have a heavier top to maintain balance. If you are using an instrument with a typical weight, starting with the Standard model will allow you to fully appreciate the superior qualities of AR mouthpieces. Models other than Standard are generally made to order, so please feel free to contact us for more information.

StandardThis is a bestseller from AR RESONANCE.

MediumThe top is of normal weight, but the backbore is slightly heavier. This results in a louder sound and greater stability.

Bullet: This model uses a heavy-weight top and a bullet-shaped backbore. While heavier, it can still be used on many trumpets. The sound is darker and more stable, but it requires more energy.

HeavyThis pick features a heavy-weight top and a straight, heavy backbore. Due to its extreme weight, it is not recommended for use with typical instruments. It is suitable for instruments such as Adams, Monette, and Taylor, but please note that shank thickness may vary, so please be careful when ordering.

Flügel

☆Point

The rim shape is the same for all cups. Changing the cup depth won't create any noticeable difference.

The rim shape is slightly softer to the touch than a Bach mouthpiece. Bach users, in particular, should find it comfortable.

There are two options: wide rims and flat rims. Wide rims are wide and slightly rounded, like those of Bob Reeves or Giardinelli, while flat rims are flat, like those of Silky. Most people prefer the standard rim, so it's a good idea to try the regular type first.

 

● Size
VL (equivalent to Bach No. 1)
L (equivalent to Bach 1-1/4)
ML (equivalent to Bach 1-1/2)
M (equivalent to Bach No. 3)
MS (equivalent to Bach's Symphony No. 7)
S (equivalent to Bach 10-1/2)
VS (equivalent to Bach No. 15)
XS (equivalent to Bach No. 18)

If you are using a mouthpiece other than a BachThis tablePlease take a look.

● depth
Deep: As deep as Dennis Wick
Medium: Similar depth to Yamaha
Shallow: Same depth as the back.

●Material
There are seven types available: brass, bronze, buffalo, titanium, stainless steel, damascus steel, and nickel.
Brass or buffalo wood, which produces a warm sound, are popular choices.

[brass]This is the most commonly used and familiar material for modern mouthpieces. It offers a light response and a flexible tone.

[bronze]Made from phosphor bronze, this model is just as popular as brass. It's a lively, responsive, and resonant material. The sound is fuller and more stable.

[Buffalo]This refers to buffalo horn, a very lightweight and responsive material. When blown gently, it produces a warm, woody sound, while blowing harder yields a bright, crisp sound.

[titanium]Compared to brass, it has a wider dynamic range and clearer sound directionality. It's also a good option for people with metal allergies.

[stainless]It features a slow response and muffled articulation. Its dead sound is well-suited to acoustic sounds such as jazz combos, and it possesses a distinctive tone.

[Damasteel]The sound is similar to the stainless steel mentioned above. The distinctive pattern is created by combining two materials with different hardness levels. It's expensive, but it's definitely a material you won't see anywhere else.

[nickel]It offers a responsive and highly directional sound. Because the sound's contours are clearly defined, it pairs well with shallow cups and similar accessories.

 

 

●Material
There are seven types available: brass, bronze, buffalo, titanium, stainless steel, damascus steel, and nickel.
If you're unsure, brass is a good choice, while bronze is preferred if you want a tighter, fuller sound.

[brass]This is the most commonly used and familiar material for modern mouthpieces. It offers a light response and a flexible tone.

[bronze]Made from phosphor bronze, this model is just as popular as brass. It's a lively, responsive, and resonant material. The sound is fuller and more stable.

[Buffalo]This refers to buffalo horn, a very lightweight and responsive material. When blown gently, it produces a warm, woody sound, while blowing harder yields a bright, crisp sound.

[titanium]Compared to brass, it has a wider dynamic range and clearer sound directionality. It's also a good option for people with metal allergies.

[stainless]It features a slow response and muffled articulation. Its dead sound is well-suited to acoustic sounds such as jazz combos, and it possesses a distinctive tone.

[Damasteel]The sound is similar to the stainless steel mentioned above. The distinctive pattern is created by combining two materials with different hardness levels. It is expensive, but it is definitely a material you won't see anywhere else.

[Nickel] Responsive and highly directional sound. The sound's contours are clearly defined, making it a good match for combinations such as shallow cups.

 

How to choose a back bore

It plays a crucial role in controlling the feel and sound of playing, including how the sound spreads and how the air enters the instrument. The biggest advantage of a two-piece design is that it makes it easier to choose one that suits you.

The tighter the mouthpiece, the more directional the sound becomes, and the more resistance it acquires. The more open the mouthpiece, the more air can enter, which tends to give the sound more breadth and brightness.

 

● Types of back bore
We offer three sizes of back fleece: S, M, and L.

Each type is available with a back (small) shank, a Yamaha (large) shank, or a Kenon (straight) shank.

【others】

● Throat size
You can choose between throat sizes 42 (#19) and 46 (#14). Most of the mouthpieces sold in Japan have a 42 throat, so it's a good idea to try this throat first. If you're looking for a deep cup and the soft sound of British brass, the 46 throat is also recommended. You can choose between the top and backbore sizes, and generally use the same size for both.