1. Denis Wick Product Training
I. Mouthpiece Features and Benefits
II. Understanding The Mute

2. Maurice Murphy:
Indiana Jones: trumpet solos
Star Wars: Opening movie trumpet
fanfares
Denis Wick:
Star Wars: Darth Vader Theme
Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
London Symphony Orchestra

3.  Embouchure: Mouth Position to focus
air.
 Aperture: Lip Position for released
air
 Mouthpiece: Placed against the
face to facilitate maximum
vibration. Embouchure
Aperture
Mouthpiece
 Vibration = Sound
The goal of the relationship between the performer (air, embouchure, aperture) and
mouthpiece is maximum vibration.
A
I
R

4. AIR + = SOUND+
Vibration Translate sound to
instrument
 A brass instrument no matter what the size, the
quality, the cost, is an over-glorified megaphone.
It just magnifies the sound produced by the
player/mpc relationship.
Why is the Mouthpiece Important?

5. Rim
The part of the mouthpiece that comes into contact
with the players face.
Cup: Diameter
Affects the area of vibrating lip supported by the
embouchure.
Cup: Volume
The cup is the resonating chamber of the mouthpiece.
It’s volume will affect the sound it translates to the
instrument.
Throat
Affects the air as it enters the mouthpiece. The
Throat is the first place the air passes through after
exiting the vibrating lips.
Backbore
Affects the air as it exits the mouthpiece into the
instrument.

6.  The funnel cup must be proportional to the funnel throat.
 The mouthpiece Rim, Cup Diameter, Cup Depth, Backbore, and Throat
all have specific measurements that must be proportional to each other.
Imagine that you have 2 gallons of water that need to flow through a funnel.

7. Competitor Mouthpiece
 Use a stock backbore and throat. Mouthpiece size relates only to the
cup diameter and volume.
 This creates a disproportion between the measurements
 May stifle the sound and create more work for the performer.
The Denis Wick Difference
 Measurements and sizing designed to proportionally
compliment each other
 Offers a wide variety of “support options” that do not
sacrifice tone production
 Superior sound production, tuning, facility
The Denis Wick Difference

8. Mouthpiece Options
Classic Heavytop Heritage
American Classic PaxmanMaurice Murphy Steven Mead/Ultra
Cornet
Trumpet
Flugelhorn
French Horn
Alto/tenor Horn
Trombone
Euphonium
Tuba (Classic)
Cornet
Trumpet
Flugelhorn
French Horn
Trombone
Cornet
Tenor Horn
Trombone
Tuba (2-tone & silver)
Trumpet Trumpet Baritone/ Euphonium French Horn

9. Comparisons: What’s the Difference?
Heritage
Classic
Heavy Top
MassDistritbution
• Thinned upper walls and rim/ mass placed in
base of cup
• Focused sound with easy articulation and
higher register
• Great for classical/orchestral players
• Mass added all around
• Aids in extreme focus to sound
• Great for marching band and
Jazz Band
• Classic weight distribution
• Great for all types of playing

10. Backbore: The backbore affects the air as it exits the mouthpiece.
There are three main types of backbore contours:
• V-Shape: faster exit into the instrument and creates a
brighter, more focused sound.
• Barrel: most open of the three designs, resulting in a
less direct air flow and freer blowing mouthpiece.
• V-barrel: air flows slightly less directly than a V-type
which offers a slightly less bright tone.
Backbore

11. Rim: Mouthpiece rims are characterized as rounded or flat.
Rounded
 Less Stability
 More flexibility
Flat
 More Control/support
 Less Flexibility

12. Translating Customer Complaints
My mouthpiece is
uncomfortable.• Cutting into lip
• Slides off my embouchure
• I want more flexibility
• I have response issues
Rim Contour
• Flat Rim – More comfort
• Rounded Rim – More flexibility
Cup Diameter
• Large Diameter– More Flexibility
• Small Diameter– More Support
• My Sound is too bright/dark.
• I want to play higher/lower notes.
Cup Volume
• Deeper Cup – Darker Sound/low
register facility
• Shallow Cup - Brighter Sound/high
register facility
• My mouthpiece is stuffy.
• I want better projection.
Throat/Backbore
• Larger Throat – More Open
• Backbore – V-type Barrel will offer
better projection
Comfort
Tone/Range
Sound/Projection

13. Beginner
5182A-7C or 5c, 5882-4B
5880-SM9
(Steven Mead)
5885-4
5880B-9B
Orchestra
5882A-1.5C, 5882-MM1.5C
3180-5ABL, 5880-5ABL
5286-2.5CC
5885-4
N/A
Jazz Band
5286-4L
5882-4x, 5882-4E
5880-10CS
N/A
N/A
N/A
Sound Production Darker Tone/ Projection Brighter Tone/ Projection/ Range

14.  Denis Wick mutes are constructed to encourage optimum sound production
through sensitivity to the function of a mute and it’s relationship to it’s
corresponding instrument.
 Denis Wick began creating mutes a year after he produced his first
mouthpiece

15. Mute Function
• Sound emits through the instrument bell
• The mute manipulates and retransmit the sound
through the mute.
• Various materials and shapes are used to create
many different manipulations.

16. There are two criteria that separate the good from the bad: Tone Color and Intonation.
Tone Color
Intonation
VS.
VS.

17. • Mutes are hand made/hand spun
using high purity aluminum
• Measured to strict standards to
provide excellent intonation and
response
• Premium all natural cork to ensure a
proper fit and long life.
• The hand-spinning process hardens the metal
and gives Denis Wick mutes their unique tone
color while preserving perfect intonation
• Superior intonation is trademark for Denis Wick
mutes
Tone Color Intonation

18. New!
Straight Mutes Adjustable Cup Extending Tube
Practice Mute Travel Mute

19.  Guiding your customers to make choices that will prolong their
musical career
 You do not need to teach them good sound but you can focus them on good
sound.
Denis Wick precision results in products that do not perform well by chance, but
provide peak performance by design.