What are people saying about the Wedge?

 

"The Wedge is the best mouthpiece I’ve ever played.  Period.  We’ve all said something like that before about a mouthpiece, but the Wedge truly is the one that I’ve been looking for.  It is changing the way I play."

"These are a true revolution combining the best of modern technology, old world technology and common sense. I gladly endorse these mouthpieces as they have completely changed the way I play the trumpet."

"Working with Dr. Dave has been almost as enjoyable as playing the Wedge itself.  Never have I been offered such a high level of customer service for any piece of equipment."

The Wedge originated as an act of desperation on the part of an amateur trumpet player (me) who was trying to avoid public humiliation as the principal trumpet for the performance of West Side Story by his community orchestra. 

By using basic anatomy and physiology, recognized theories about why some players have better "natural" high chops, and a fair bit of trial and error, the original Wedge prototype was born as a modification of an existing mouthpiece rim.    

The design has since evolved significantly from the hand made versions introduced at the 2007 ITG conference in Amherst , Massachusetts. The current Wedge is manufactured from a solid brass blank using state of the art Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) lathing and milling. Each mouthpiece is designed to exacting specifications using RhinoCAM design software with tolerances to 0.001 inches. The surface produced by the CNC machine requires very little processing prior to final plating, which avoids inconsistencies introduced by hand buffing.  

The Wedge design takes advantage of the Warburton modular backbore system, allowing the player to perfectly match the ideal combination of mouthpiece tops and trumpet or cornet backbores for every playing situation.    

The cross sectional contour of every Wedge rim is identical to every other Wedge mouthpiece of any size, down to a point .08 inches below the crest of the rim. Mouthpieces of larger and smaller rim diameters are scaled up or down in 0.01 inch increments, while retaining this same rim shape, cross sectional contour, and distance between the inner diameter of the cup and outer diameter of the rim. This means that switching from a shallow to deep cup within the same rim size, or between rim sizes, produces a very consistent feel from one mouthpiece to another.  

How it Works

The Wedge trumpet mouthpiece differs from conventional mouthpieces in several important ways.

1. The parts of the rim touching the corners of the embouchure slope away from the center of the mouthpiece. This shifts the high point of the rim toward the inside, and makes the sides narrower than the upper and lower parts of the rim.
2. The parts of the rim touching the middle of the upper and lower lip are the same width as a conventional rim, but have a gradual slope, with the high point shifted to the outside. The combination of rim contours produces a slightly oval cup.
3. The sides of the rim touching the corners of the embouchure dip down when viewed from the side.

 

These features have a very special effect on how the Wedge mouthpiece plays. The sloping shoulders and dip in the side rim decreases the amount of contact and pressure on the embouchure at the corners. The mouthpiece therefore interferes less with the movements of the lips. With less pressure at the sides of the mouthpiece the player is forced to use the corners to produce a more efficient, forward focused, closed aperture.

The improved range of motion at the corners and solid contact with the top and bottom lip make it easier to open the corners and to return them to the optimal playing position when taking a quick breath. Decreased mouthpiece pressure at the corners also improves blood flow in and out of the central part of the lips, improving endurance and decreasing swelling. The slight slope of the upper and lower rims produces top to bottom lip compression and improved range, rather than cutting off the note as moderate pressure is applied.

The effect of using a Wedge is improved comfort, endurance, range, articulation and flexibility without sacrificing any other aspect of mouthpiece performance. The Wedge sounds relatively bigger and fuller with greater core to the sound than any mouthpiece with a comparable cup and backbore and conventional rim. The Wedge is simply a more efficient design.

We all know that there is no magic bullet. The path to excellence in trumpet playing is through diligent and dedicated practice. No mouthpiece will give you instant high chops and super human endurance. However, the increased efficiency of the Wedge design provides a revolutionary improvement in performance throughout the entire range of the horn. The mouthpiece will do its part if you do yours.  

My Guarantee to You  

Purchase a Wedge and play it for two weeks. If at the end of that time the Wedge does not meet your expectations it can be returned in new condition (insertion marks accepted) for a refund.  For more details on the money back guarantee visit http://www.wedgemouthpiece.com.

Mouthpieces are silver plated. Gold plating for the top and backbore is available through the website for an additional $30 each, or $60 for the set.  

Gold plating is by custom order and will add about one week of waiting time to your order.  

To view the thread about the Wedge mouthpiece on the Trumpet Herald Forum. click here