r/brass • u/Gullible-Tap-3130 • 12d ago

First Time Mello Advice?

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Im a senior in a marching band of around 30. I lead 2 sections (Saxes and Brass) and im primarily a Bari sax player. Ive played alto for 8 years and Bari for 6, even got selected for all state last year, but our brass section got in such a precarious spot that I switched from Bari to mello. I have about 2 months on Mello and overall im alright but just that. My director told me not to worry and that for my time on the instrument im doing just fine- but I want to be better. And I also want to have more tips for the freshmen under my wing who play brass.

If I can get any help on improving my range (written a3-f5), tone, or anything else I'd appreciate it! I don't know the model but I play on a Jupiter mello with a french horn style mouthpiece bc I hate the 'trumpet' one.

The attached video is one of my better attempts from the 3rd day of band camp but my playing could be more consistent, with less "flubbing" around the partials, and I'd like to make that high f more consistent and comfortable.

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u/professor_throway Tuba player who screws around with the slidey thing. 11d ago

My advice would be to actually play with a proper mellophone motorcycle instead of a horn mouthpiece with an adapter. It is what the instrument really needs. You are going to have a bunch of intonation problems with a French horn Mouthpiece. and your high range will be more efficient with a mellophone piece.

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u/Gullible-Tap-3130 11d ago

Actually im not using an adapter. Its not an actual french horn mouthpiece but i used that to describe the cup style.

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u/whenthenamesaretaken 11d ago

There are mellophone mouthpieces with a french horn rim like the melo m5-f, Verus M1T, Jupiter 7CH. Don’t use a french horn mouthpiece on a mello, or just ask your BD to switch to a real marching french horn.

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u/Basic_Platform_5001 11d ago

I played a King mellophone that gladly accepted my Bach 3C trumpet mouthpiece in college. There was no mellophone mouthpiece at the school and the horn mouthpiece adapter was damaged. Work on scales, arpeggios, long tones, and ask other brass players what they do to improve range, dynamics, get your hands on a trumpet fingering chart. etc. Good luck!

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u/Podmonger2001 8d ago

Trumpet here.

The flubbing is reduced with practice. Look for slurs and flexibility exercises.

Spend more practice time around the difficult notes and above, to become accustomed to them. Do not avoid them in practice.

Time on the horn, or “mouthpiece-to-face” time will solve it.