Almost every trumpet player has had their mouthpiece become stuck at one point. Many trumpets have also been wrecked from bad trumpet mouthpiece removal techniques. How to get a trumpet mouthpiece unstuck at home is easy if you know how to do it. Here are the top 4 methods of safely removing a stuck trumpet mouthpiece.
Best Solution: Trumpet Mouthpiece puller - Check Price on Amazon
Why Do Trumpet Mouthpieces Get Stuck?
Excessive force: Pushing or twisting the mouthpiece into the trumpet can cause it to lodge tightly in place after it warms up from playing and the metal expands.
Mouthpiece Popping: Kids love to hit the top of their trumpet mouthpiece to make a fun popping sound. This game can easily cause a trumpet mouthpiece to get stuck.
How to Get a Trumpet Mouthpiece Unstuck at Home
Method 1: The Gentle Twist and Pull
Hold the trumpet firmly. Grip the trumpet by the leadpipe, being careful not to squeeze or bend any delicate parts.
Twist the mouthpiece gently. Using your dominant hand, apply light twisting motions in a counterclockwise direction.
Pull while twisting. As you twist, gently pull the mouthpiece straight out, avoiding any side-to-side motion, which could bend the mouthpiece or damage the leadpipe.
Method 2: The Rubber Mallet Trick
Sometimes, a light tap is all it takes to loosen a stuck mouthpiece. Here's how to fix a trumpet mouthpiece using a rubber mallet.
Wrap the trumpet. Wrap a soft towel or cloth around the lead pipe to protect the instrument.
Use the mallet carefully. Gently tap the mouthpiece shank with a rubber mallet, applying just enough pressure to dislodge it without causing damage.
Twist and pull . After tapping, try the twist-and-pull method again. The light taps may have shifted the mouthpiece enough to free it.
Method 3: Using a Mouthpiece Puller
Tools needed: Mouthpiece puller
If the gentler methods aren’t cutting it, it’s time to bring out a more specialized tool.
How to use a mouthpiece remover.
Position the puller. Place the top bowl just below the cup of the stuck trumpet mouthpiece and the U end above the lead pipe.
Tighten the screw. Tighten the screws evenly (1 turn on 1 side, 1 turn on the other) so that the mouthpiece puller becomes longer. Keep screwing until the mouthpiece pops out.
Method 4: The Warm Water Technique
Using temperature to shift the mouthpiece can sometimes be all that it takes to remove a trumpet mouthpiece.
Fill a bowl with cold water. Cold tap water will make the metal contract which may help it become unstuck. Just don't use water that's too cold or else that will make it more stuck!
Dip the leadpipe. Submerge just the trumpet’s leadpipe and mouthpiece into the water.
Twist the mouthpiece. Once cold, gently twist the mouthpiece being sure to not exert excessive force on the instrument that could damage it.
Preventing a Stuck Mouthpiece in the Future
Now that the trumpet mouthpiece is removed everyone can calm down and relax! You will be hard pressed to find trumpet player who has never had their mouthpiece become stuck so this is nothing to worry about. However, doing the following in the future will help avoid the trumpet mouthpiece becoming stuck:
Be gentle. Avoid pushing the mouthpiece in with excessive force—unless you're playing the trumpet upside down, a trumpet mouthpiece does not need to be twisted or pushed into place. Do not twist or push the trumpet mouthpiece into the lead pipe. The act of playing will gently push it into a firm but not stuck position.
Clean regularly. Regularly clean your trumpet so that the lead pipe is clean and free from grime that can contribute to the mouthpiece being stuck more easily.
Comments