Watch the video below to hear Brandon Ridenour (trumpet), Chris Coletti (trumpet), and Eric Reed (horn) using Wedge Mouthpieces for Flight of the Bumblebee.
Since it's invention in 2007 the Wedge trumpet mouthpiece has enjoyed an ever growing popularity among amateur and professional brass musicians worldwide. We have since expanded out line to include trombone mouthpieces, French horn mouthpieces, and tuba mouthpieces. The Wedge is being used by world class players in the Canadian Brass, and the New York and Metropolitan Operas, in addition to numerous other orchestras and ensembles throughout Canada, the United states, and Europe. We also have a strong following among commercial jazz and lead players worldwide. Approximately 200 new players every month are converting to the Wedge simply because it offers advantages not provided by any other brass mouthpiece design.
The Wedge mouthpiece is based on the observation that the shape of a brass mouthpiece has not dramatically changed in over 100 years, and the conviction that it could be improved upon. The Wedge was designed by a trumpet playing physician who set out to challenge the rules that a brass mouthpiece rim should be round and flat. It incorporates concepts of how dental structure affects playing, and knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, to produce a more biomechanically efficient mouthpiece.
Wedge Benefits
Click on the links below to see how the Wedge mouthpiece can meet your specific playing needs.
New Players
Learning Good Habits
The Wedge design promotes a forward focused, closed aperture, corner controlled embouchure that is difficult to explain, but easy to feel and form with the Wedge. Players who have reported problems with leaking corners say that the Wedge makes them learn to use the corners properly, so leaking is reduced or eliminated.
Beginning players learn not to rely on pressure or "smiling" in order to ascend. They do not have to, and are not rewarded for trying. This prevents bad habit from forming early that could lead to later problems or injury.
"The single biggest problem I had was trying to find just how much pucker and how much "smile" in the embouchure for the best overall result. The various descriptions such as holding the lips in a whistling position or a "kissing" position were so vague that they really didn't help with the best kind of facial position. And of course if this isn't right then everything else- tone, range, technique (especially lip flexibilities)- don't feel right. It's quite possible to use a conventional mouthpiece for years and still not find the optimum embouchure. For me the Wedge solved everything in one go since you are forced to use a good embouchure in order to get a sound, and everything else follows almost automatically."
Ron Shapiro
Better Range
The more even response in all register improves range and removes temptation to try a shallow "cheater" mouthpiece that new players are often tempted to play.
Better Sound
Because the Wedge rim promotes a properly formed embouchure it promotes the emergence of a more open, resonant sound much sooner than a conventional rim. Many new players immediately have a more mature sound the first time they try the Wedge, as if they had many months more experience on the horn.
Faster Improvement
The improved endurance and other immediate benefits provided by the Wedge promote more practicing, which can lead to faster development as a player and advancement in the section.
Plastic That Out-Performs Brass
Plastic mouthpiece options provide an economical way to try different mouthpieces as the player progresses. Plastic Wedges slot much better and have more core in the sound than other plastic mouthpieces or even brass alternatives.
Great for Marching Band
Plastic tops provide great comfort and security in marching and and in cold weather. The ability to match a plastic top with a brass backbore adds projection not usually found in plastic mouthpieces.
"Players that wish to improve their efficiency and endurance will benefit from a Wedge. Because the rim is not flat and the pressure on the lips is not even "pressing" is an ineffective technique for hitting notes in the upper register. The player learns to use air flow and lip tension to control range, pitch and sound without "cheating." The asymmetric curves of the cup and rim make the "sweet spot" a smaller, more exact spot that is also somehow easier to find, as well as more rewarding in sound and feel than a conventional mouthpiece."
Chris Coletti, Trumpet - Canadian Brass
Players With Braces
Comfort
The Wedge is more comfortable than a conventional mouthpiece because the curved rim cups over the braces.
Because the Wedge promotes a lower pressure embouchure there is less discomfort and cutting from the braces. The need for wax, guards, and other measures is reduced or eliminated.
Better Sound
Players with braces immediately sound better on the Wedge.
More Fun and Faster Progress
We have heard from many players who were about to give up because of braces but who did not because of the Wedge. Better performance and comfort makes practicing more fun and more rewarding.
Plastic With Better Sound
Plastic Wedge mouthpieces are even more comfortable with braces, while the Wedge design and ability to add metal backbores means that sound is not compromised.
Increased Efficiency From a Larger, More Comfortable Mouthpiece
Many players find that a larger mouthpiece feels better with braces. The increased efficiency of the Wedge means players can enjoy the increased comfort of moving to a larger mouthpiece with the usual loss of range and endurance.
Advanced Amateurs
Personalized, Friendly, Expert Service
We treat every customer - beginner, amateur, or pro - with the same friendly, helpful service. Dr Dave is an amateur trumpet player himself, so he understands what the advanced amateur needs.
Consistent Rims
Players report that the ability to have the same Wedge rim for trumpet, cornet, flugel, and pic helps them to transition between horns.
Maximum Practice Results
No mouthpiece can replace practice. But most of us do not have 6 hours a day to wood-shed, so getting the most out our mouthpiece and our practice time is important. The increased efficiency of the Wedge means you get the most back from the time you spend on the horn.
Recovery from Temporary Layoffs
When practice time is limited and layoffs are longer that you would like, the Wedge makes it easier to get back on the horn comfortably because it helps to form and maintain an efficient embouchure.
Better Endurance
It is not a lot of fun to near end of the concert and realize that you are worried about having the chops for the last page. Most players report a significant increase in endurance so that fatigue and blowing airballs end of the concert is less of a concern.
Players tell us that improved endurance also lets them practice more when they did have time. They do not tire as much during a practice session and could spend more time on the horn, so progress was faster.
Better Range
Range and endurance are related. Because the Wedge rim is more efficient the average player gains several steps in range with a properly fitted Wedge without compromising the lower register. Better endurance and range are the two issues most commonly identified by amateur players as being important, and as being the most helped by the Wedge.
Faster Recovery
Most players report that when they do tire their recovery time is less with the Wedge. They can return to playing that day or the next day without feeling quite so beat up.
Less Swelling
The curved rim takes pressure off the sides of the embouchure, providing better blood into and away from the center of the embouchure. The result is less swelling.
"I am an older guy (62) who never played a note before I was 56. I went through beginning embouchure development at an older age. It has been almost 3 years since I bought a Stainless Steel Wedge. I am still on it and liking it. Before that I changed mouthpieces about every 8 months. The fit of my wedge continues to allow progress without feeling the need for a different piece."
Rudy Claassen
Come-back Players
Getting Started Back on the Right Foot
Returning to play a brass instrument after a long lay off is an excellent time to start rebuilding a new, well formed embouchure. The Wedge design promotes a forward focused, closed aperture, corner controlled embouchure that is difficult to explain, but easy to feel and form with the Wedge.
"The single biggest problem I had was trying to find just how much pucker and how much "smile" in the embouchure for the best overall result. The various descriptions such as holding the lips in a whistling position or a "kissing" position were so vague that they really didn't help with the best kind of facial position. And of course if this isn't right then everything else- tone, range, technique (especially lip flexibilities)- don't feel right. It's quite possible to use a conventional mouthpiece for years and still not find the optimum embouchure. For me the Wedge solved everything in one go since you are forced to use a good embouchure in order to get a sound, and everything else follows almost automatically."
Ron Shapiro
Recovery from Temporary Layoffs
When practice time is limited and layoffs are longer that you would like, the Wedge makes it easier to get back on the horn comfortably because it helps to form and maintain an efficient embouchure.
Avoiding Old Habits
Returning players learn not to rely on pressure or "smiling" in order to ascend. They do not have to, and are not rewarded for trying. This prevents bad habits that may have lead to putting down the horn in the first place horn from re-emerging.
Personalized, Friendly, Expert Advice
Knowing what equipment to use when getting back into playing can be confusing. We offer personal advice to guide selections based on experience in fitting hundreds of players in similar circumstances. Dr Dave himself works directly with the customer to make sure we get it right.
Easy Mouthpiece Selection
We offer a full line of mouthpieces based on familiar models that you have played before, expect that the Wedge version works better. If your current mouthpiece is working well the Wedge version should be that much better.
Ability to Down-size
Many come-back players find that when they return to the instrument something has changed. Somehow they do not seem as strong as they were in the past. The increased efficiency and the ability to go to a smaller mouthpiece with the Wedge without sacrificing sound and flexibility is a great help to the come-back player.
At age seventy nine I approached the trumpet as a comeback player. That meant an opportunity to re- open all of the concepts regarding how to play, how much to practice, and what equipment to use.
The first ten minutes on the Wedge mouthpiece gave me a sensation that my embouchure could focus as it never had before. I adapted to each mouthpiece (4 Wedges and counting) and change easily and have also found that I could go back to the mouthpieces I had been using with no real adjustment. It all has been a most satisfying learning experience. So my "comeback" experience has been significantly enhanced by the Wedge mouthpieces.
A little better than a year has slipped by so 80 has come and that makes no difference because I'm enjoying every minute of it.
While Dave is a pleasure to deal with, there is another feature of the company that is an integral part and that is his wife Liz. Both of them are serious about what they do but they both know how to "wear the world lightly"in the process. So I look forward to all the encounters with Harrison Wedge mouthpieces.
Don Hofmeister
Freelance / Pit
Wide Selecion of Options
The Wedge line provides a complete integrated line of mouthpieces for pops, lead, flugel. We provide the working pro with unsurpassed personalized service with unlimited custom options and fast turn around on custom jobs.
Stainless steel tops and backbores offer excelent projection and and the ability to mix different materials with tops and backbores provides options for every situation. Gold plated SST for the maximum in comfort and projection.
Consistent Rims
Players report that the ability to have the same Wedge rim for trumpet, cornet, flugel, and pic helps them to transition between horns.
Better Endurance
The Wedge design provides better endurance, with less swelling and faster recovery.
Improved Flexibility
The Wedge rim provides a very unique combination of well defined, secure slots coupled with increases flexibility that makes slurs and interval jumps much easier than on a conventional mouthpiece.
"My needs are as varied as anyone could hope for or wish not to have, depending on your perspective. I go from fully amplified 12+ piece festival and Broadway musical bands to rock quintets to acoustic chamber trio to solo performances. That is very hard and extended blowing to very soft parts, with as varying degrees of expression as there are styles of music.
I find the different materials offered in the Wedge line (gold, brass and stainless steel) to be an aid in terms of response, projection and tone in different settings.
Meanwhile the attention to detail and custom requests were met so head on by Dr. Dave that I never have to think about whether my interchangeable cups are up to specs.
More than anything, Wedge pieces help significantly reduce recovery time, allowing for quicker resets, allowing much more attention to be paid to breath support, phrasing and expression."
Jordan McLean, Trumpet - Freelance, Broadway, NYC
Commercial Lead / Studio
Wide Selecion of Options
The Wedge line provides a complete integrated line of mouthpieces for pops, lead, flugel. We provide the working pro with unsurpassed personalized service with unlimited custom options and fast turn around on custom jobs.
Stainless steel tops and backbores offer excellent projection and and the ability to mix different materials with tops and backbores provides options for every situation. Gold plated SST for the maximum in comfort and projection.
Better Endurance
The Wedge design provides better endurance, with less swelling and faster recovery.
"Players like me, professionals without a ton of time to practice and who are strong players without being monster chops guys, typically have issues with endurance and sound projection. Range usually goes along with endurance, but it's different for everyone, I guess. For me, playing a Latin gig the night before a brass quintet or a wedding ceremony means the chops have to remain supple and fresh at all hours of the day, even after a long, hard gig.
The first time I worked on the Wedge I bashed my chops completely because I was having so much fun playing to the top of my range all night on such a large mouthpiece. The next morning I woke up and had zero swelling, bruising, cuts, or stiffness. I have never experienced that on any other mouthpiece. The Wedge is an obvious choice for someone looking for better endurance on the gig and fresher feeling chops overall. Naturally, with these developments, other good things follow, too. Less chop tension, more relaxation, and easier sound are byproducts of the above."
Matt Hilgenberg - Trumpet - Freelance, Broadway, NYC
I do mostly lead and pit work. Biggest problem I believe for my type of work would be burn-out. The non-stop high playing and endurance required to do it day after day.
I feel the Wedge makes you play "properly". Pressure, over-blowing, etc doesn't really work with the Wedge. Maybe it's because the corners aren't supported like they are on a conventional mouthpiece, so you can't "muscle" it. I find myself using less pressure and when I get tired I don't feel I'm hurting myself like I could with other mouthpieces.
Jim Murray - Lead Trumpet, Prime Time Big Band
Legit / Orchestral / Quintet
Wide Selection of Options
The Wedge line provides a complete integrated line of mouthpieces for pops, lead, flugel. We provide the working pro with unsurpassed personalized service with unlimited custom options and fast turn around on custom jobs. Mouthpiece selection is made easy by providing options based on familiar sizes popular with orchestral players.
The option to use the special short shank on the two part backbore provides improved performance on many C, Eb, and D trumpets, reducing or eliminating many pitch and slotting problems.The modular system provides the ability to customize with different backbores and throats, or a one piece mouthpiece can be selected.
Consistent Rims
Players report that the ability to have the same Wedge rim for trumpet, cornet, flugel, and pic helps them to transition between horns.
Better Sound
The Wedge design provides superior, fat sound with great projection. Players report a greater ability to go from PPP to FFF with ease and confidence.
Better Endurance
The Wedge design provides better endurance, with less swelling and faster recovery.
Improved Flexibility
The Wedge rim provides a very unique combination of well defined, secure slots coupled with increases flexibility that makes slurs and interval jumps much easier than on a conventional mouthpiece.
"Playing 2 hour concerts with very little rest can be taxing if you aren't playing as efficiently as possible. Recording sessions and rehearsals that start in the morning and end in the evening can also take it's toll on the chops. The wedge concept maximizes one's efficiency and comfort on the mouthpiece when we have these long days. I remember feeling beatup in the face during my pre wedge days when we had these long sessions and tours. Ever since finding the perfect wedge mouthpieces I still feel quite fresh, even after playing all day. Now I rarely feel fatigued and I love the comfort and grip of the rim."
Brandon Ridenour, Trumpet - Canadian Brass
"I think for the orchestral player the issues of ensemble intonation, balance, and personal endurance issues are the "biggies ". Because the Wedge allows for so much more freedom of embouchure function it's far easier to be more successful in these critical areas.
Howard Engstrom, - Principal Trumpet Emeritus
Calgary Philharmonic
I think many horn players struggle with their high range and endurance. In a brass quintet, these issues are exacerbated by our directional inadequacy and lots of loud playing. Horn parts in quintet are frequently all over the instrument, and do not lend themselves to "playing easy." Since switching to a Wedge rim, I've noticed it's much more conducive to playing easy, and when I'm able to do it I can play for much longer than before, I can play considerably higher than before, and I have much more grip when navigating the various registers of the instrument. It's helped my endurance, range and fluidity between registers. I love it, and have been telling my friends!
Eric Reed - French Horn, Canadian Brass
I'm part of a brass quintet. We do shows which are more than 2 hours long with very different music kinds, from opera to classics to swing. Not only the mind of the player must be flexible, but also the equipement, horns and mouthpiece(s). I'm using 4 different mouthpieces for every show, depending what kind of sound I'm searching for. Endurance is another big deal!
On the wedges I can focus my attention on Music, everything else is easyer. The playing confort is very high, flexibility in range and in tone-colour choosing are so easy!!! I've noticed even more endurance (same sound quality for a longer time period), less time to recover from fatigue, and more range. But that's only technical things. With less work directed to the tone production, I feel only involved in Music Making, sharing emotions and all that stuff for which audience is paying!!!
Marco Pierobon, Trumpet - Gomalan Brass
Experienced Veterans
Rolling Back the Clock
We hear from veteran players with many years of experience that a change to the Wedge has given them a new lease on playing. The increased efficiency and more even response in all registers allows them to use a Wedge comparable to their old faithful mouthpiece with improved results.
Better Endurance
Endurance can become an issue as we age. The usual pattern is that changes may be seen as we enter the 50's. The Wedge improves endurance for many players to the point that this becomes much less of an issue.
Downsizing
We see many players who choose to move down in diameter or cup depth as they get into their 50's, 60's and 70's. This can sometimes result in a compromise in sound or flexibility if a smaller diameter is chosen.
The increased core in sound characteristic of the Wedge means that mouthpieces with a smaller cup volume sound bigger than comparable conventional mouthpieces, preserving the quality of the sound when down-sizing. The increased flexibility provided by the Wedge rim counteracts the loss of flexibility usually experienced by players moving to a smaller diameter. Finally, the Wedge design produces an unusually rich lower register from relatively shallow cup depths, so that a shallower, more efficient cup depth may be an option without compromising the lower register as much as with a conventional design.
"The Wedge encourages the use of much less pressure and allows you to use your air pressure to play as it should be. The chops hardly feel like they are moving if in fact they are when shifting registers. The rim is your cushion and is so comfortable and and is good for all sizes of cups. There is not a problem switching from a larger MP to a smaller or vise-versa - comfort is same and the chops just do what they do naturally. Doing what is natural - That is what its all about. The Wedge lets your lips form the proper embouchure naturally. The original Wedge is extremely consistent. I can be using two horns on a gig and have the same size mouthpiece in each horn and know that it will react the same. This is due I'm sure to the equipment used to make the Wedge. All the claims made regarding the Wedge are absolutely on the money."
Robert Spargo
Mouthpieces can be ordered on-line or by calling the toll free number. We have a money back guarantee and very liberal trial and return policy that makes it very easy to try a Wedge without risk.
Most players can easily choose a mouthpiece by selecting from our Standard Brand Line in the on-line store or by visiting our Quick Size Chart.
Please email or call me on the toll free line at 1-877- 679-3343 between 8 am and 10 pm Pacific time. I am very happy to help you select the best size for you. If I cannot take your call leave your number and I will call you back, usually within minutes.
We have taken the risk out of trying a new mouthpiece
We have a very liberal return policy. Silver and stainless steel mouthpieces, even gold tops but not gold backbores or gold one piece mouthpieces, can be tried for two weeks from when you receive them. Shipping time is not included in the trial period, so you have two weeks to actually play the mouthpiece. If you decide that the mouthpiece is not suitable during that time it can be returned for a refund, minus a small restocking fee of 5%. Mouthpieces can also be exchanged for a different size in that time period.
See the Guarantee - Return and Exchange page for more details about the money back guarantee.
Email of the Week
"Since I discovered Wedge mouthpieces last year, I have played them exclusively. I feel they give me flexibility of expression, a clear tone, added endurance, and comfort over conventional rims. I use Wedge mouthpieces for tenor, alto, and bass trombone, euphonium, and bass trumpet."
David Ritt
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