TromboneChat

Am I setting myself up for problems in the future? Do I need to just pick a center and stay there regardless of equipment?

Over the past 12 months I've done alternating stints with groups where I either use my small bore (.508) horn or larger bore (.547) horn. The stints last for about 2 months. What I have been finding is that it just feels right to move up my center (the pitch where I start my day and use as the basis for my embouchure setting) on the small bore and then move down when I am on the large bore. The mouthpieces are not entirely similar nor crazy different (Shilke 51C4 versus Shilke 51). So F above middle C for small bore and smaller piece and D for the bigger set up. I also tend to be on lead or second books with the small horn and lower parts on the large bore.

No one else thinks this way? That's okay. I get that a lot. I just don't usually see things the way a majority does.

Not addressing embouchure mechanics, I’d say that if you can play all the notes on both horns without any embouchure gymnastics (mouthpiece shifting, changing from upstream to downstream or vice versa), and it both sounds and feels “right” on both horns, then there’s no need to be concerned.

This is slightly different but, (FWIW) when I switch from my bass 50B to my 42B (.547”) or my 36, it feels as though my smaller mouthpieces want to shift up a bit. I think that’s probably due to the difference in size, and not a shift in focal point.

Another thought: the different rim shapes might contribute to that feeling. On paper, I believe they are slightly different in rim size, but I can’t remember which. It’s been years since I played a 51 or a 51C4.

The difference is in the cup depth. The rim contour is slightly different as well. Going between mouthpieces has always been pretty easy for me as long as the piece and horn are reasonably balanced. I found I had to use the stock plastic mouthpiece on my pBone because the C4 just felt too big for the horn and, as far as it matters on that thing, I couldn't make a "good" sound or control it as well as I could with the plastic one.

It may be that the shallower cup C4 (along with a smaller bore horn) provides a bit more endurance so playing higher feels more natural.

My completely hobbyist opinion is to do what works! F vs D is only one partial away so it wouldn't seem like a big difference to me.

Maybe similar to you I was on bass for 3mo with a group earlier this year, and I didn't really change my setup much, but did spend more time in warm-ups working my way down.