Removing Stuck Mouthpieces
Stuck mouthpieces in trumpets, trombones, tubas, and french horns can be a serious problem.
Oct 27, 2006
If you play the trumpet, trombone, or any brass instrument sooner or later your mouthpiece will become stuck in the instrument. Stuck mouthpieces are a big problem, especially if they happen at home because most instrument cases cannot be closed and latched with a stuck mouthpiece in the receiver. If it happens at school, most band directors carry a special device called a mouthpiece puller to remove the stuck mouthpiece. At home it becomes a little more tricky.
The first thing any brass instrument player should do is learn the things that you can do to prevent stuck mouthpieces altogether. The most common cause of stuck mouthpieces tends to be improper insertion of the mouthpiece into the receiver. Many beginning brass players will twist the mouthpiece once it is seated in the receiver. Others will pop the mouthpiece with the palm of their hand because it "makes a cool sound!" Never twist the mouthpiece or pop it to make sure that it stays in. Instead of these methods, simply lay the mouthpiece in the receiver and apply very slight pressure to help it stay in place. Many band directors tell students to give the mouthpiece a slight twist, however this must truly be a "slight" twist. Any more than that and the mouthpiece may get stuck.
Removing stuck mouthpieces is not a job for common household tools. Never use a pair of pliers or any other household tool to remove a stuck mouthpiece. In almost every case you will mark up the surface of the metal mouthpiece and in the worst cases you may damage the lead pipe of the instrument. The lead pipe is the part of the brass instrument directly below the mouthpiece and it is often one of the most important and most expensive parts of the horn to fix if it becomes badly damaged. At home the only recommended course of action is to hold the instrument under one arm, pulling on the mouthpiece with the same hand as the arm it is tucked under. While pulling on the mouthpiece use your other hand and a small rawhide hammer or soft plastic mallet to gently tap on the receiver to see if you can knock the mouthpiece loose. Never use a metal hammer or anything that could damage the receiver and lead pipe!
A mouthpiece puller is the ideal solution for removing a stuck mouthpiece. Mouthpiece pullers can be found at most music stores where brass instruments are sold, as well as online or through mail-order retailers. Depending on the size of the instrument case a mouthpiece puller may fit comfortably inside the storage pockets of the case and is an excellent and valuable\naddition to have in case of a stuck mouthpiece emergency.
