When purchasing an instrument, it’s important to know that the mouthpiece it comes with or the stock mouthpiece often isn’t of a quality to help produce high-quality sound on the instrument.
So now that the tuba is procured, it’s time to look into the best tuba mouthpiece to assist in creating the best sound possible.
10 Best Tuba Mouthpieces:
1. Conn-Selmer Helleberg 120S
FEATURES
- Constructed from silver-plated brass
- Multi-purpose for sousaphone and concert tuba
- High-quality mouthpiece great for beginners and experienced musicians
Conn-Selmer Helleberg 120S is a standard tuba mouthpiece that helps to better improve dynamic range with the deep cup design. It’s one of the best tuba mouthpieces for under $100 and it comes highly recommended for musicians of varying skill levels.
Expert Opinions
Experts love the Conn-Selmer Helleberg 120S tuba mouthpiece. They’ll recommend it for students and play on this beauty themselves as well. It gives increased control over dynamics and intonation for better results when performing.
- High-quality sound
- Silver-plated brass construction
- Long-lasting
- Somewhat pricey
- No mouthpiece case included
2. Glory 22 Standard
FEATURES
- Silver-plated nickel construction
- Good for beginners
- Can be used on sousaphone or tuba
Timiy tenor sax mouthpiece is a quality student tenor sax mouthpiece. The plastic mouthpiece is a step above the stock mouthpieces that are often included with the instrument.
Expert Opinions
For beginners who aren’t committed to the tuba, this an okay choice. However, if you choose to stick with playing, upgrading to a higher quality mouthpiece is a must.
It’s questionable if a conductor would even allow this tuba mouthpiece to be used for performances.
- Affordable
- Step up from stock mouthpiece
- Silver plating makes it visually blend in with more expensive tuba mouthpieces
- Nickel construction
- Requires early upgrading
3. Cecilio 22 Standard
FEATURES
- Universal size fits sousaphone or tuba
- Silver-plated
- Improves sound quality and makes it easier to hit low notes
The Cecilio 22 Standard is the gold standard in terms of tuba mouthpieces for beginners. At less than $20, this is the best tuba mouthpiece for low notes.
It’s considered to be appropriate for beginner to intermediate tuba players but some experts choose to keep this mouthpiece on hand as a spare or for traveling.
Expert Opinions
For those looking for an affordable tuba mouthpiece for beginners, look no further. This Cecilio offers great sound for less than $20.
It will need to be upgraded eventually if you go on to perform in upper-level ensembles, but for a casual tuba player or beginner, this mouthpiece can’t be beaten. Some professionals choose to keep this mouthpiece as a backup.
- Great quality for the price
- Silver-plated
- Appropriate for beginner to intermediate tuba players
- Fits tuba or sousaphone
- May require eventual upgrade
- Finish easily tarnishes
4. Standard Tuba Mouthpiece
FEATURES
- Fits tubas or sousaphones
- Includes microfiber cleaning cloth and nice box
- Made from hand painted silver-plated copper
This generic standard tuba mouthpiece is a great choice for beginners. For less than $20, the mouthpiece also comes with a microfiber cleaning cloth in an elegant appearing gift box.
The silver-plated copper mouthpiece is a decent choice for a step-up mouthpiece.
Expert Opinions
The Selmer S-80 C* is the best tenor sax mouthpiece for beginners.
Most students begin playing in ensembles and this mouthpiece is considered ideal for sound blending making is a favorite for music teachers to recommend to students. It’s easy to play on and creates a light yet warm sound.
- Decent step-up mouthpiece
- Comes with cleaning cloth and box
- Elegant looking silver-plating
- Copper construction
- May require early upgrading
5. Bach 18
FEATURES
- Made from silver-plated brass
- Carries Bach brand name that’s trusted by directors and tuba players
- Fits tuba or sousaphone
- Great mouthpiecefor all skill levels and all genres
The Bach 18 tuba mouthpiece is among the most highly recommended. One of the top-rated mouthpieces for tuba players of all skill levels, this mouthpiece still costs under $100.
Bach is a well-known brand that’s trusted among tuba players worldwide and Bach 18 is their most popular model of tuba mouthpiece.
Expert Opinions
There’s no going wrong with the Bach 18. No musician would be disappointed in seeing their peers or students playing on this beloved mouthpiece. It’s capable of producing some of the highest quality sounds of any mouthpiece that you can buy.
- High-quality mouthpiece by a trusted brand
- Band director recommended
- Long lasting for musicians of all skill levels
- Improves intonation and dynamic range
- Somewhat expensive
6. Bach 24AW
FEATURES
- Made from silver-plated brass
- Smaller mouthpiece with deep cup
- Comes with the reputable Bach name
- Fits tuba or sousaphone
The Bach 24AW is a more specialized tuba mouthpiece that’s smaller in size.
This reliable part is available for less than $100 but is best suited for intermediate to advanced tuba players as a strong embouchure is needed to get optimal sound quality from this mouthpiece.
Expert Opinions
Experts have mixed opinions of the Bach 24AW due to the size. Many don’t like the smaller size but others think that there are significant advantages to using this tuba mouthpiece.
It isn’t an ideal choice for beginners but can help with the sound quality for experienced players who exhibit a strong embouchure.
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- Made by Bach – a highly recommended and reputable brand
- Silver-plated brass construction
- Improves intonation and dynamic range
- Deep cup
- Not ideal for beginners
- Somewhat pricey
- Mixed opinions on the shape
7. Kelly
FEATURES
- Made from plastic
- Economical
- Softer and warmer than metallic mouthpieces
- Ideal for outdoor playing
- Fits tuba or sousaphone
Kelly tuba mouthpieces are a fun alternative option available in ten different colors. For less than $50, this plastic tuba mouthpiece is a surprising value.
While their use is questionable for traditional ensemble use, they’re especially popular for marching bands and other outdoor performances.
Expert Opinion
Experts wouldn’t choose Kelly mouthpieces for regular performances but they’re great for outdoor uses such as marching band.
The plastic doesn’t conduct heat or cold so the weather is less of an issue for intonation. Don’t get this as a primary mouthpiece regardless of skill level but anyone can enjoy these suitable mouthpieces for outdoor use.
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- Great for outdoor use – temperature doesn’t effect intonation
- Suitable for musicians of any skill level
- Affordable
- Long-lasting
- Not very versatile
- Most directors won’t accept plastic mouthpieces for general performances
- Range may be effected
8. Blessing 24AW
FEATURES
- Designed with input from multiple famous tuba players
- Narrow mouthpiece with deep cup
- Fits tuba or sousaphone
- Made from silver-plated brass
The Blessing 24AW is arguably the most beloved incarnation tuba mouthpiece of this size. Similar to the previously mentioned Bach 24AW, the Blessing is a narrow mouthpiece with a deep cup.
This 24AW tuba mouthpiece is a collaborative design between famous tuba players Buff Dillard, Robert Dorer, Dominick Farinacci, and the Blessing brand.
Expert Opinions
Experts are often on the fence when it comes to 24AW tuba mouthpieces. That said, the Blessing 24AW is likely the most popular tuba mouthpiece of the shape.
- Silver-plated brass construction
- Input from professional tuba players makes the design more playable than similar mouthpieces
- Improves sound quality
- Appropriate for tuba players of most skill levels
- Pricey mouthpiece may run over $100
- Mouthpiece shape isn’t loved by all tuba players
9. Perantucci PT-50
FEATURES
- Fits tuba or sousaphone
- Creates some of the highest quality sound
- Made from silver-plated copper
The Perantucci PT-50 is one of the most popular tuba mouthpieces among professional musicians. It will cost over $150 but in return, the mouthpiece will help you get the rich dark sound out of your tuba.
While brass mouthpieces are often most popular, this copper-based tuba mouthpiece goes above and beyond expectations.
Expert Opinions
The Perantucci PT-50 is a favorite due to the rich dark sound it’s able to produce. Plus, this mouthpiece makes it easier to expand a well-rounded range. It isn’t the easiest for beginners to use but makes a great mouthpiece for experienced brass musicians.
- Unbeatable sound quality
- Helps expand range
- Great choice for intermediate to professional musicians
- Articulation may be more difficult with this mouthpiece
- Not suitable for beginners
10. Yamaha YACBB67C4
FEATURES
- Fits tuba or sousaphone
- Made by trusted Yamaha brand
- High-quality all-purpose standard mouthpiece
Yamaha YACBB67C4 is a favorite for musicians of any skill level. Yamaha is a trusted name among all band instruments so it’s likely the safest choice when choosing a mouthpiece if you’re unsure of exactly which one you want.
It’s one of the best tuba mouthpieces you can buy for under $100.
Expert Opinions
The Yamaha YACBB67C4 is a favorite for everyday use. The standard sizing makes it ideal for playing all styles and this trusty mouthpiece is great for players of all skill levels. Versatility and quality of this mouthpiece make it a steal.
- Standard mouthpiece great for playing all styles
- Ideal for musicians of all skill levels
- Made by a trusted brand in band instrument industry
- Improves sound quality and dynamic range
- Not everyone likes the semi-flat rim
Which Is Best?
It’s easy to ask exactly which tuba mouthpiece is the best choice but that can be pretty personal. Depending on factors such as the style of music you play and personal preference, this answer can vary from person to person.
This is why professional musicians often have multiple mouthpieces.
Different mouthpieces are best for different occasions, but make sure to always have a good all-purpose piece for your tuba.
Factors to Consider
Some of the most important factors to consider when choosing the best tuba mouthpiece are size, shape, versatility, and personal skill level. Use this as your tuba mouthpiece guide to assist in finding the best tuba mouthpiece recommendations.
Mouthpiece Size
One of the biggest myths is that mouthpiece size should correlate to the size of the player’s mouth. The size is actually based on embouchure and preference.
A standard sized tuba mouthpiece is recommended for beginners and you can adjust to your preferences from there if you find that you would rather have a different size.
There are differences in cup depth, diameter, and rim width. Find what you like and what can be improved upon then adjust accordingly to discover your ideal mouthpiece size as you advance.
Skill Level
Sometimes it’s hard to self-evaluate but it’s an essential part of choosing a mouthpiece. Some mouthpieces will require more advanced embouchure.
The sound quality may be worth it when used properly but can create large barriers for those who aren’t ready for the mouthpiece.
There are some great all-around mouthpieces and some that are aimed towards specific skill levels. There are even beginner mouthpieces that may help produce early sound.
What kind of mouthpiece should I get when just getting started?
A tuba mouthpiece that has a standard shape and size is best for beginners. It allows you to have a good all-around piece that you can use when playing different genres.
The more you play, you’ll learn what you like about the mouthpiece and what you would tweak to make it better. This will help you decide which mouthpieces to upgrade to or add to your collection in the future.
How many mouthpieces should I have?
This is a very loaded question. There are plenty of people who only ever have one mouthpiece at a time and that’s perfectly fine.
There are also musicians who have tried as many mouthpieces as they can get their hands on and keep all of the ones that they can find a use for.
It’s honestly a personal preference and unless you plan to be a professional, there’s a good chance that just a single all-purpose mouthpiece is just fine.
Though intermediates may keep a plastic one as well as their regular mouthpiece if they are in a marching band.
Will any mouthpiece fit my tuba?
Any of these mouthpieces will fit all standard sized tubas as well as sousaphones. If you play one or both of these instruments, there’s no need to worry about the mouthpiece fitting the instrument.
As long as the mouthpiece is the correct fit for you, your tuba will be happy with it too.
Making The Decision
Choosing the best tuba mouthpiece is a personal call but that doesn’t mean that some aren’t of better quality than others. If you’re a professional musician or training to be one, you can’t beat the Perantucci PT-50.
The sound dark and rich sound it can create just can’t be matched but it isn’t ideal for less experienced tuba players.
For all-around use and musicians of all skill levels, the Bach 18 is number one. It really is for everyone. Professionals use this mouthpiece and it’s affordable enough that students can start out on it as well.
There’s nothing negative that can be said about this mouthpiece. Band directors will be happy to see a tuba player pull out a Bach 18 no matter what group they’re working with.
