Interview with Kurun and Gilbert Mouthpieces

In recent years the production of new ranges of mouthpieces has risen steeply. As part of a special, exclusive interview I spoke to Dennis Kurun from Kurun and Gilbert Mouthpieces (better known as K&G Mouthpieces) about their new range of mouthpieces hitting the market across the world.

1. Kurun and Gilbert mouthpieces are the very first professional line of brass mouthpieces ever to exist in Malta. How did you make this idea a reality?

I remember that in 2009 I was at an annual performance with a local band and during the interval I met my friend Gilbert Spiteri. We started talking and Gilbert told me that he wished to create a mouthpiece. He knew that I had spent many years trying different kinds of mouthpieces and analyzing this subject. I agreed with Gilbert and a few weeks later we met to discuss this idea and make our dream come true. As our enthusiasm grew we started drawing sketches and making developments.

2. There are a number of popular mouthpiece brands on the market, what makes your line of mouthpieces different to those already in existence?

In the world of mouthpieces every brand is different and each brand holds different ideals. After trying different  mouthpieces for around 25 years, in order to improve my performance, I started realizing more clearly what I wanted from a mouthpiece. Rather than looking at what other brands produced, I decided to focus on the qualities that the musician would be after. Having said this, everyone is different, what goes for one person is not necessarily right for another person. What I can say is that every part of our mouthpieces was made with professional balance  in mind and a lot of dedication. I would say that balance was our greatest challenge.

3. You have many years of experience as a professional musician with the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. How did these experiences influence the mouthpiece design?

The experiences that influenced the mouthpieces in one way or another were the styles and timbre. These made me adapt certain characteristics of the mouthpiece.

4. Kurun and Gilbert mouthpieces are becoming very popular amongst top Euphonium players. Can you tell me a little about the development process of the Euphonium Kurun and Glibert Mouthpieces?

The development of the design for the euphonium mouthpieces follows the same principles of all K&G designs. All the designs were backed by principles of physics and accurate calculations.  The first ones made were those for the baritone, then we continued with euphoniums. We decided to make various internal designs to check the outcomes and characteristics of each part. After making a lot of samples and trials we could decide on the final product and its efficiency.

5. The mouthpiece has been expertly designed with thought being given to each aspect of the mouthpiece including the rim (including rim contour and rim width, rim bite, rim profile and inside diameter) cup, throat and backbore. How long did it take you to find the perfect prototype? 

The first steps were the most difficult as there were a lot of possibilities. Apart from focusing on the entire mouthpiece we gave particular attention to the rim as this is the first part to make contact with the musician. The rim is made up of a chain of consecutive radii making up the rim. After years of research, the profile we made is balanced and at once makes the musician feel comfortable, thus giving more self confidence and enabling a better performance. The cup was planned in such a way that allows the air to flow comfortably into the bore with a calculated resistance to be channeled into the instrument through the backbore. For every part of the mouthpiece, different versions were created in order to allow us to choose the best possible option.

6. How are Kurun and Gilbert mouthpieces produced?

Brass rods with the specific dimensions for the designs being produced are bought. We then program the CNC lathe, adapt the tools, check that everything is in place, produce some samples and measure them against the drawing. The mouthpieces are automatically machined, then they are checked and engraved. After this the polishing process starts. The mouthpieces are polished twice to remove any marks left during the process. The mouthpieces are checked every step of the way and when we are satisfied with the results they are taken to the plating industry to be plated according to the customers’ requests.

7. I always remember having the privilege of testing the prototype Ultra 4x Mouthpiece with Steven Mead and being blown away by the quality. Can you tell me a little about how the K&G Euphonium mouthpieces were trailed and tested before being released for use by the public? 

When we had finished the development the testing process started. This took a long time but it enabled us to assess the design. When we were satisfied with the designs we produced samples for the best Maltese artists to get more professional opinions. When it was established that the product could be launched it was first launched on the local market. After a while the mouthpieces were marketed in the media. This led to the first contact with the international trombonist Vincenzo Paratore who expressed his wish to try our products. He was followed by two International euphonium players Robbert Vos and David Thornton. Their comments about K&G mouthpieces were phenomenal.

8. Can you tell me about your range of Euphonium mouthpieces and their characteristics?

There is one design for the Euphonium mouthpiece but different sizes are offered. The range varies between 3D, which is the largest size, and 6D, the smallest size. The K&G mouthpiece produces a sound which is pure and clear. The timbre is mellow but we also ensured that it is lyrical. It is easy to control and the way in which the air is shot allows you to play comfortably with an excellent projection. Complementing these characteristics, the rim is engineered to provide support, endurance, more vibration and attacks which are more precise. The sound is rounded with an emphasis on focusing to ensure notes are slotted more clearly. The K&G Euphonium mouthpiece have been designed to offer Euphonium players an outstanding performance.

9. You provide a unique ‘mouthpiece experience’ with a range of mouthpieces to suit each individual. What characteristics define your mouthpieces?

The advantage that our mouthpiece offers is that for the same rim size and profile you can have different cups or bores. This allows players to adapt the mouthpiece to different styles, giving them the opportunity to change the characteristic produced by the mouthpiece while maintaining the same rim. This is a very important advantage  for most musicians. Apart from this, the physics involved in the design of the mouthpiece in terms of pressure and air, results in a more balanced resistance.

10. What factors do you believe to influence mouthpiece development?

Everything has an important role, including the material selection, the way the mouthpiece is produced and the design. However I believe that balance is the most important quality, as it determines the characteristics of the mouthpieces.

11. What ambitions and future plans do you have for Kurun and Gilbert mouthpieces?

Our ambition is to keep on perfecting the products and to create more familiarity with K&G mouthpieces. It is our wish to keep on producing these mouthpieces in the passionate manner they are being produced at present, not with a business mindset.

Thank you Dennis for sharing with us a little into the fascinating world of Kurun and Gilbert Mouthpieces. I cannot wait to try one of these mouthpieces for myself.