A Piece of the Action: Mouthpieces for Brass Instruments

To some, the subject of this month’s dealer survey won’t be particularly “sexy” – and understandably so. Not everyone experiences increased heart-rate when contemplating mouthpieces for brass instruments. Nonetheless, it’s a robust and important market segment that provides consistent business for MI retailers across the nation.

Nearly 85 percent (83.3%) of participants in this issue’s poll have observed sales of these mouthpieces either increasing or remaining steady when compared to 2021. In addition to some of the more obvious catalysts (school music programs and live performance returning), there are also some other “post-lockdown” factors that are driving business.

“People are less adverse to trying a ‘trial’ mouthpiece than a year ago, knowing it has been washed/sanitized since last person tried it,” says Scott Taylor of Robert M Sides Family Music Center in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Read on to learn more about what brands are connecting with end-users and what trends are impacting this market.

When compared to this time in 2021, sales of brass mouthpieces are…

Up: 44.4%

Down: 16.7%

Level: 38.9%

When compared to this time in 2021, sales of brass mouthpieces are…

Brass: 84.5%

Plastic (Lexan): 9.1%

Stainless Steel: 2.8%

Silver-plated: 3.6%

What brands are the top sellers for your store?

Bach: 72.2%

Schilke: 44.4%

Dennis Wick: 39.4%

Blessing: 36.1%

Yamaha: 25%

Best Brass: 13.9%

Faxx: 13.9%

Conn-Selmer: 11.1%

Giardinelli: 8.8%

Holton: 8.3%

Parduba: 8.3%

Perantucci: 8.3%

Warburton: 8.3%

Besson: 4.6%

Jupiter: 3.9%

Stork: 3.5%

Valentino: 2.8%

Marcinkiewicz: 2.8%

Bush: 1.9%

Jo-Ral: 1.9%

Laskey: 1.9%

Robert Tucci: 1.9%

What’s the most popular price range for brass mouthpieces?

Under $25: 2.8%

$26-$50: 17.1%

$51-$100: 65.7%

$101-$200: 14.4%

Have you been observing any significant trends in this market segment?

“A lot more players, professional and advanced student, are back to trying and experimenting with various models. A lot of our brass customers weren’t able to keep their chops up after the long COVID layoff. Sales are starting to pick up.”

David St. John

Music & Arts

Glendora, California

“The tried and true models continue to be our top sellers. Students do like to try out different models, but when it comes to purchasing, the Bach 351 7c, 5c, 3c, the 350-6.5AL, and the Helleberg 120S tend to be the ‘go-to’s.’”

Seth Dralle

The Music Shoppe

Normal, Illinois

“The school market is coming back. The pro market is at a current low, but starting an upward trend.”

Michael Thomas

Michael Thomas Music

San Bernadino, California

“Faxx is being chosen over better name brands in side by side tests before the customer even knows that they are cheaper.”

Chad Davis

Riverton Music

Sandy, Utah

“What I’m noticing is that students are overdue to upgrade. With the disruptions to school music over the past two years, one-to-one attention has been diminished, and students are only now getting the help they need.”

Don Hausen

White House of Music

Waukesha, Wisconsin

“Music programs in our area have seen a surge in participation. Families want to make music again. Marching programs are surging and we are reaping the benefits – even if the supply side is a disaster at the moment.”

Richard Firman

KYR Music

Chino, California

“We’ve seen an increased demand for vintage classic designs, or modern mouthpieces that replicate the ‘classic’ sound.”

Michael Thompson

Thompson Music

Omaha, Nebraska