The mouthpiece is an important part of any brass instrument; the Tuba included. The mouthpiece plays a great role in the quality of the tone you produce as a tuba player aside from factors like personal playing techniques. Tonal quality aside, the mouthpiece can also make your entire playing experience either fun or hell. If you pick the wrong mouthpiece that is not ergonomically designed, it will be just a matter of time before you lose interest in your tuba playing and probably give up – especially if you are just starting. Although a very small [in size] accessory, the mouthpiece is as important as the tuba itself. As a matter of fact, without the mouthpiece, you can’t even get a sound out of your tuba.
In this article, I will bring to you five selected tuba mouthpieces that will meet your needs as a tuba player. This article will help you make an informed choice when choosing a mouthpiece for your tuba. These mouthpieces are those with which I have had both direct and indirect experience. Here is a quick summary:
 | 1.Best tuba mouthpiece for beginners: DN Tuba/Bass Horn Mouthpiece (Silver Plated) It is affordable with great sound. Ergonomically designed. perfect for beginners or players in high school marching bands | Buy on Amazon |
 | 2.Best tuba mouthpiece for players of all levels: Conn-Selmer 120S (Helleberg 120) Very versatile, Excellent volume projection and response across all three registers. Comes with a brush cleaner | Buy on Amazon |
 | 3.Best tuba mouthpiece for pro-level players: Vincent Bach K3357 (Silver Plated) This mouthpiece will make it easier to hit lower notes. It is also ergonomically designed | Buy on Amazon |
 | 4.Best affordable tuba mouthpiece: Conn-Selmer 1207B Helleberg Made with top quality brass and comes with a pouch and brush cleaner | Buy on Amazon |
 | 5.Best tuba mouthpiece for tone improvement: Blessing MPC24AWTB Designed to help with range expansion, made with input from tuba performers | Buy on Amazon |
5 Best Tuba Mouthpieces Reviewed
Best tuba mouthpiece for beginner players: DN Tuba/Bass Horn Mouthpiece (Silver Plated)
Although this might not be the most popular tuba mouthpiece out there or the most flashy, this is still an amazing piece of metal, especially when considering the price. Before any other thing, remember that although there is a great element of truth to the cliché “you get what you pay for,” price is not always an accurate reflection of quality. Sometimes, you get more than what you pay for. This is a very reliable and good-sounding tuba mouthpiece that will last you through your beginning days as a tuba player – and probably into your intermediate days.
This is made from heavy gauge brass to guarantee sturdiness while also maintaining a high level of ergonomics. Also, for easy maintenance and proper hygiene, it is silver-plated. The silver plate makes cleaning the mouthpiece a lot easier while also maintaining a sleek look. For a perfect grip, it has a semi-flat rim and a large cup for a bigger and fuller sound. If you are looking for something decent in look and sound that doesn’t break the bank, then go for this. It is an amazing mouthpiece to start your tuba playing journey with.
Pros
- Very affordable and nice sounding
- Perfect for beginners and players in high school marching bands
- The silver plate makes it easier to take care of hygienically
- It is sturdy and built to last
- Ergonomically designed
Cons
- Might arrive with some minor dents and imperfections (won’t affect the quality of play)
- Not exactly for pro-level players
Best tuba mouthpiece for players of all levels: Conn-Selmer, 120S Helleberg 120
When it comes to the world of mouthpieces for horns like the tuba, trombone, euphonium, and others, the brand name Conn-Selmer always stands out. The Conn-Selmer, 120S Helleberg is an amazing piece of mouthpiece that works well for beginners, intermediate, and even pro players. As a matter of fact, this is one of the most versatile tuba mouthpieces in the market. Considering the overall tonal quality, build, response, and price of this particular mouthpiece, you can’t just help but the score is quite high.
The volume and response across all three registers are quite tremendous. Made in the US, this mouthpiece will give you a very natural and smooth tone that can be likened to an organ’s tone. It is a good fit for marching bands, jazz ensembles, orchestral playing, and a lot more. Although it will give you a unique tone when combined with your playing techniques and skills, it will still very much blend in scenarios where the blend is paramount – like in an orchestra or marching band. Irrespective of the player’s age, be it a kid in a school band, or a seventy-year-old trying to stay close to the tuba, this mouthpiece will always be a perfect companion. I feel this mouthpiece should be in the gig bag of every tuba player.
Pros
- Perfect for players from total beginner to pro levels
- Very versatile as it fits many playing scenarios
- Excellent volume projection and response across all three registers
- Perfect for kids and adults alike
- Because it is silver plated, keeping it clean becomes easier
- Comes with a brush cleaner
Cons
- Might not come with a case or pouch
- Not exactly the cheapest for a small piece of metal (don’t take that too seriously)
Best tuba mouthpiece for pro-level players: Vincent Bach K3357 (Silver Plated)
It would not be a complete list if a mouthpiece from Vincent Bach is not included. To anyone who has played the tuba or any other horn for a while, the name Vincent Bach can never be strange. Bach is known for producing some of the best pro-level mouthpieces in the market and the K3357 is just another example. Although the price is not exactly the most affordable, at the same time, it is not totally out of reach or out of place for a mouthpiece of this quality. The cliche “you get what you pay for” plays out perfectly here – this is an amazing pro-level tuba mouthpiece.
With a medium cup depth and diameter of 33.25 mm, it is an amazing fit for players with fat and medium-sized lips. Also, this helps give the mouthpiece a fuller and bigger tone. Because of its overall build and medium wide time shape, it is easier to hit lower notes on this and with a bit of practice, the higher notes are quite easy too. Overall, this mouthpiece responds evenly across all registers and with time will help you expand your range as a tuba player. If you want to improve your overall tone, expand your range, and hit those low notes more easily, then this might be just the right mouthpiece for you. Because of its excellent projection, it will cut through the mix both on live stages and inside the studio.
Pros
- Helps in range expansion
- Makes hitting lower notes much easier
- It Will improves your overall tone
- Perfect for a pro level playing
- Ergonomically designed
- Comfortable even for players with fat lips
- Perfect for all genres and styles
Cons
- Not exactly cheap
Best affordable tuba mouthpiece: Conn-Selmer 1207B Helleberg
Again, Conn-Selmer makes it to this list with another amazing tuba mouthpiece. As a tuba player, there will be a lot of scenarios in which you are required to hit those low notes and make them come out fat, loud and bold. Although personal techniques and embouchure matter a lot in hitting desired pitches, it is still a fact that some mouthpieces will either make the job harder or easier for you. The 1207B is one of those tuba mouthpieces designed to make low registers more responsive and a lot easier to play. Although it aids the sounding of lower pitches, its shallow cup also helps give a brighter tuba tone.
This mouthpiece is designed to be comfortable for players of all levels. This model is more of a premium version of the earlier mentioned 120S model. One common problem with this is that it might not fit European tuba models. On that note, it is advised you properly measure your tuba before purchasing it. It is designed to fit American tubas and it is made from very durable high-quality brass. This mouthpiece will hardly dent or scratch if dropped accidentally. For some extra protection, it comes with a pouch for ease of carriage and added protection.
Like I earlier mentioned, this is perfect for hitting low notes; some players have reported being able to go as low as lower octave C#, while also giving very decent and crisp high notes. If one of your goals is range expansion as a tuba player, then you might want to get this.
Pros
- Perfect for range expansion as it helps with both low and high notes
- Feels comfortable for players of all levels
- Made from top quality brass that will hardly dent if dropped
- Comes with a pouch and brush cleaner
Cons
- You will have to precisely measure your horn as it might not fit well with all horns
- Although not exactly costly, it’s still a bit on the high side
Best tuba mouthpiece for tone improvement: Blessing MPC24AWTB
In the world of brass instruments, Blessing will always remain a household name. It is well respected and has a reputation for creating top-quality instruments (mouthpieces included) at very affordable prices. We have been talking about range expansion all through these reviews; the MPC24AWTB is designed to help players who wish to expand their range on the tuba. It is also designed based on input from professional and famous brass players like Buff Dillard, Robert Dorer, and Dominick Farinacci. It is produced both in the US and Germany; Blessing mouthpieces are designed at Blessing and produced by Terry Warburton in Florida, and by Lausmann in Germany. So you can be assured of top quality.
It features a deep cup depth which means it will produce a darker tone, thus making it a lot easier to play low notes. Being designed to aid range expansion, with some practice, the higher registers can also be easily unlocked. It features a wide and flat rim shape which enables players to hit those high notes easily. It is also built to offer the lips some extra resting place which translates to more endurance.
Pros
- It is designed to help with range expansion
- Ergonomically designed as it helps with endurance and long-playing sessions
- Made with input from actual performers who understand what an average brass player needs
- It is sturdy and built to last
- Considering the quality, the price is quite affordable
Cons
- None that I can think of
Best Tuba Mouthpiece Buying Guide
What makes a tuba mouthpiece perfect for beginners?
If you are a beginner player or buying a mouthpiece for a beginner player like a child in a school band, the best mouthpiece for you will be that with a small cup. The small cup will help ease sound production and make the playing process a lot easier and more fun for a beginner.
Also, it is wise to choose that which is labeled “for beginners” on reviews and also go through the reviews on purchase sites to see what level of players are purchasing it. Aside from cup size, some tuba mouthpieces are just designed to be easy to play with. These types are perfect for beginner players.
What are the best brands to consider when buying a tuba mouthpiece?
It is advised to first consider reputable brands like Conn-Selmer, Blessing, Vincent Bach, and Yamaha when you are shopping for a tuba mouthpiece. This however doesn’t mean that other companies are not producing amazing tuba mouthpieces.
Do all these specifications like rim, cup, throat size, and others really affect the sound of the tuba?
The simple answer is “yes it does.” and here is how:
Wide and round mouthpieces always feel more comfortable. It allows the tuba player to play for longer amounts of time. On the contrary, sharp and narrow rims are for more precise and sharp playing. To get a dark and rich tone, large cup mouthpieces will do the [dark] magic for you. On the opposite end, small and shallow cups tend to brighten the tone and help relieve playing fatigue, thus the reason it is recommended for beginner players. For the backbore, tight backbores produce a bright and happy sound, while wide backbores are far more dark and mellow.
Which should you opt for; silver or gold plate tuba mouthpiece?
This is purely based on personal taste. Silver-plated mouthpieces naturally kill gems, and are thus regarded as more hygienic. Also, silver is less expensive than gold-plated. But the downside of silver is that it tarnishes easily.
How much should you spend on a tuba mouthpiece?
For an entry level mouthpiece, I would advise no one to spend anything above $60. For intermediate to pro level tuba mouthpieces, anything within the range of $70 to $150 will probably get the job done.
Conclusion and Winner(s)
Having taken time to review all the mouthpieces mentioned here, I have concluded and ultimately chosen my winner. First, I want to clarify that all mouthpieces mentioned here are amazing in their own rights. Each has their unique strengths and weaknesses, but going through all, I have chosen that which I prefer most. My winner is none other than the all-rounder and very versatile Conn-Selmer, 120S Helleberg 120. This is perfect for players of all levels. The volume and response across all three registers are quite tremendous. It is made in the US, it gives a very natural and smooth tone that can be likened to an organ’s tone. It is a good fit for marching bands, jazz ensembles, orchestral playing, and a lot more.
My second best is none other than the Blessing MPC24AWTB. Blessing is known for producing exceptional quality mouthpieces at very affordable prices and this model is not an exception. It is perfect for players looking to improve their tone and expand their range.
Last update on 2023-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
