A New Collection of Slokar Mouthpieces

made by JK, Josef Klier

In 2014, after many years of experience and thanks to new developments and possibilities in the field, Branimir Slokar has introduced a new series of mouthpieces into the market.

During the past three decades, Slokar mouthpieces were renowned for the versatility of their rim use. In other words, one rim fits to different cups. Various instruments (e.g. alto and tenor trombone, baritone and euphonium) can be more likely played with the same rim.

Arnold Jacobs (1915-1998), the great brass pedagogue also stressed the importance of a removable rim: “In playing a brass instrument, there are three variables - the player, the mouthpiece and the horn. Don’t lock yourself into one mouthpiece. Keep the same ring style and try different cups. A deeper cup will strengthen the fundamental, and shallower cup will emphasize the overtones. [...] Keeping the same screw-on mouthpiece rim with various cups, throats, shafts and back bores is okay and makes switching mouthpieces easier than it is with changing rims.” (Nelson, Bruce, 2006, p. 66. Abstract by B. S.).

The 2014 collection of Slokar mouthpieces brings an additional feature. Branimir Slokar has developed a new series of rims, identified by an X. This new X rim series are slightly more edged. This gives a better grip to the lips on the rim, without losing the advantage of playing with different cups (the diameter of the A rim is identical to the X rim).
This new series of rims does not only meet professional’s but also amateur’s needs. It also provides the latter an additional support even when not practicing on a regular basis.

Characteristics of Slokar mouthpieces

The rim connects the lips to the instrument. The new series of mouthpieces by Branimir Slokar extends the musician’s choice of the best fitting mouthpiece. When choosing a mouthpiece, make sure that the lips can vibrate freely and without any restriction.
The cup produces the sound. A deep cup with a large bore or drill hole produces a large sound, and playing deep notes becomes easier. A flat cup with a small bore makes it easier to play high notes and gives a more brilliant and stretched sound.

Some advices for finding the ideal cup size:

This cup collection allows every player to find the right cup according to his needs and own sound perception. Moreover, musicians can approach the style of the various musical periods and national sound traditions. For example, in Ravel’s, Tomasi’s or Debussy’s time, very small bores for mouthpieces and trombones with a clear and brilliant tone were used. With Slokar mouthpieces musicians may choose a flatter cup with a small bore to play this kind of music. Conversely, when playing a Bruckner or a Mahler symphony or a Hindemith sonata, a large sound is requested. In this case, it is better to choose a deeper cup with a large bore.

For amateurs who play in different settings, e.g. as first trombone in a bigband and/or as second or third trombone in a brassband, I recommend to use a flat cup with a small bore when playing in a bigband and a deep cup with large bore when playing in a brassband.
The same rim can be used with different cups during the same performance.

Are you interested?
Would you like to try the mouthpieces? Make an appointment!
Branimir Slokar’s personal advice can also be requested.

The mouthpieces can be purchased via the online shop