Here is a little ditty that may help.

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Keep in mind that these are simplified generalizations, not hard and fast advice. Each parameter has practical limits for any given player, beyond which it may not function as described. The term "better mouthpiece" means "mouthpiece more appropriate for a particular player's needs".

EVALUATING MOUTHPIECES

GOLDEN RULES
     1. No mouthpiece delivers all the best qualities (i.e.: biggest low & easiest high registers).
     2. No mouthpiece gives you abilities you do not have.
     3. A better mouthpiece works more efficiently.
     4. A better mouthpiece makes results easier to develop.

SUGGESTIONS
     1. Warm up on your own mouthpiece.
     2. Be aware of room acoustics.
     3. Rest often.
     4. Think practically about your work demands.
          A. Response
          B. Comfort
          C. Endurance
          D. Range
          E. Tone
          F. Resistance
          G. Pitch
     5. Change only one variable (rim or cup or backbore) at a time.
     6. Use your original mouthpiece as a standard for comparison.

CHOOSING A RIM
     1. Major Functions
          A. Response
          B. Comfort
          C. Endurance
     2. If you are happy with your rim, use it.
     3. If you are not happy with your rim, use the following guideline:
          A. Inside Diameter
               Larger
                    More lip can be used
                    Requires more strength
               Smaller
                    Requires more control
                    Requires less strength
          B. Rim Bite
               Sharper
                    More responsive
                    Less comfort and endurance
               Rounder
                    Less responsive
                    More comfort and endurance
          C. Rim Surface
               Narrower
                    More responsive
                    Less comfort and endurance
               Wider
                    Less responsive
                    More comfort and endurance

CHOOSING A CUP
     1. Major Functions
          A. Range
          B. Tone
          C. Endurance
     2. If you are happy with your cup, use it.
     3. If you are not happy with your cup, use the following guideline:
          A. Cup Depth
               Deeper
                    Helps low register; dark tone
                    Requires more strength
               Shallower
                    Helps high register; bright tone
                    Requires more control
          B. Cup Shape
               Bowl
                    Stabilizes response
                    May brighten tone
               Conical
                    Blurs response
                    May darken tone
          C. Throat Size
               Larger
                    Decreases resistance
                    Requires more strength
               Smaller
                    Increases resistance
                    Helps endurance

CHOOSING A BACKBORE
     1. Major Functions
          A. Resistance
          B. Tone
          C. Pitch
     2. If you are happy with your backbore, use it.
     3. If you are not happy with your backbore, use the following guideline:
          A. Backbore
               Larger
                    Less resistance; darker tone
                    Raises pitch in upper register
               Smaller
                    More resistance; brighter tone
                    Lowers pitch in upper register
          B. Shank Taper
               Larger
                    Larger gap, increases resistance
                    May lose response
               Smaller
                    Smaller gap, reduces resistance
                    May help response

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Jeff & Dianne Parke
1315 N Tustin Av
# 354
Orange, CA  92867
(714) 288-0902
jeff@parke.net
http://parke.net